Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

As lawmakers face increased threats, bill could allow candidates to keep home addresses private

Nicole Freeman, government relations director for the Office of the Secretary of State, answers a question during a House elections panel discussion of HF789 that would allow a candidate’s address to be classified as private data. (Photo by Catherine Davis)
Nicole Freeman, government relations director for the Office of the Secretary of State, answers a question during a House elections panel discussion of HF789 that would allow a candidate’s address to be classified as private data. (Photo by Catherine Davis)

Politicians acknowledge that scrutiny comes with the position. Worrying about the safety of themselves and their family should not.

Especially in a post-Jan. 6 environment, targeting of elected officials has become commonplace, including armed protestors showing up unannounced at homes of legislators.

“It’s not one group, one side, it’s a universal problem,” said Rep. Duane Quam (R-Byron).

Rep. Kristin Bahner (DFL-Maple Grove) spoke Wednesday of being threatened, including one instance with a meme of a gun pointed at someone’s head. She’s been subject of posts encouraging armed people to protest outside her home, including the use of bullhorns.

Elections panel OKs bill to allow candidates request their addresses be classified private 3/1/23

“I remember having to work with law enforcement and thinking really hard about how it was going to impact my neighbors,” she said. Nearby residents include young children, one of whom does not do well around chaos, and an elderly woman in the early stages of dementia.

Rep. Jamie Becker-Finn (DFL-Roseville), too, has been subject to unwanted threats.

She sponsors HF789 that, as amended, would allow a candidate to request their address of residence be classified as private data based on “reasonable fear” related to their safety. Current law permits such privacy if a candidate certifies such concerns have led to the filing of a police report or order for protection.

“I signed up to serve my community, I did not sign up to put my children and my home at risk of violence or any other harm,” Becker-Finn said.

The bill was approved by the House Elections Finance and Policy Committee with no audible dissent and sent to the full House.

“It is sad that we are in a place that we should have to hide where we live as elected officials,” Bahner said. “… (Our neighbors) did not sign up for that, it is not fair to ask them to put up with that.”


Related Articles


Priority Dailies

House closes 2024 session in chaotic fashion, trading bonding for budget boosts
(House Photography file photo) It was a session of modest ambitions. After 2023 produced a record $72 billion in biennial funding, Minnesota’s legislative leaders were dampening expectations for anything ...
Ways and Means Committee OKs proposed $512 million supplemental budget on party-line vote
(House Photography file photo) Meeting more needs or fiscal irresponsibility is one way to sum up the differences among the two parties on a supplemental spending package a year after a $72 billion state budg...

Minnesota House on Twitter