| Jim Nash | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 48A district | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 6, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Ernie Leidiger |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1967-09-23) September 23, 1967 (age 57) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Kim |
| Children | 6 |
| Residence(s) | Waconia, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Education | University of Nebraska Omaha (BA) |
| Occupation | |
| Website | Government website Campaign website |
James A. Nash (born September 23, 1967) is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2015. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Nash represents District 48A in the western Twin Cities metropolitan area, which includes the cities of Waconia, Victoria, and Chaska, and parts of Carver County.
Early life, education, and career
Nash graduated from the University of Nebraska Omaha with a B.A. in geographic information systems and political geography and attended graduate school there for geography.
Nash was elected to the Waconia City Council in 2008, and served two terms as mayor of Waconia from 2011 to 2014. He works in the cybersecurity industry.
Minnesota House of Representatives
Nash was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2014 and has been reelected every two years since. He first ran after two-term Republican incumbent Ernie Leidiger announced he would not seek reelection. Nash defeated a primary opponent, Bob Frey, who received news coverage for his controversial views.
Nash serves as the minority lead on the State and Local Government Finance and Policy Committee and sits on the Housing Finance and Policy, Rules and Legislative Administration, and Ways and Means Committees. He is the minority whip for the House Republican caucus. Nash served as an assistant majority leader from 2017 to 2018 and was mentioned as a possible candidate for majority leader in 2018. He served as an assistant minority leader from 2019 to 2022.
During the 2016 Republican presidential primary, Nash joined 21 state Republican leaders in endorsing Carly Fiorina. In 2021, Nash supported the decision of Republican Party of Minnesota Chair Jennifer Carnahan to retire after a close associate and campaign donor, Anthony Lazarro, was indicted on charges of sex trafficking.
In 2019, Governor Tim Walz's administration approached Nash, who works in the cybersecurity industry, about applying to be the head of the state's IT system, MNIT. Nash declined, saying, "It's a job that even under a Republican governor I don't know that I would have taken". He said he was cautiously optimistic about the eventual candidate, Tarek Tomes.
Political positions
Nash authored a bill to create a Legislative Commission on Cybersecurity and later served as a member, calling for regular briefings on the state of Minnesota's cybersecurity. He has called for more investments in cybersecurity and cyber attack preparedness, saying, "It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when" a breach occurs. He criticized MNIT, the state's IT system, especially after a failed 2018 rollout of the state's licensing and registry system, and called for a bipartisan working group to look for solutions to improve the systems. He authored legislation requiring MNIT to first look for private-sector bids on state IT projects before designing its own software.
Elections
Nash joined Secretary of State Steve Simon in calling for election infrastructure security improvements and increasing funding to combat cyber threats and later supported the proposals in committee. He has opposed efforts to restore voting rights to felons on parole and to implement automatic voter registration at government offices like DMVs. He has criticized DFLers for pushing legislation that lacks bipartisan support, saying it is "advancing the partisanship in Minnesota around elections".
In 2020, Nash opposed moves by Secretary Simon to expand mail-in voting and reduce in-person polling places during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying it "provides for a lot of electioneering and it does open the door for election fraud". He opposed a move by Simon to send letters to registered voters who had not requested absentee ballots and encouraging them to vote from home and for settling a lawsuit over mail-in ballots. He said he was "diametrically opposed" to universal vote-by-mail, and said he would support expanding no-excuse absentee voting and in-person early voting instead. Nash called for Simon to investigate ballot harvesting allegations made by the conservative activist group Project Veritas.
Nash, who declined to run against Simon in 2022, said election integrity was a "top focus" of the Republican Party but said beating Simon would be an uphill battle.
Transportation
Nash has opposed raising taxes to pay for roads and bridges, saying he would reallocate money away from light rail and transit. He has criticized the Metropolitan Council, a regional government transit planning organization, and called for reforms to the council. He has opposed the Southwest Light Rail Line, criticized the council's management of the project, and supported a legislative audit.
Public safety and crime
Nash has spoken about "rampant lawlessness" in Minneapolis after going on a ride-along, said he found conversations about defunding the police "alarming," and proposed tying state money for city projects to police staffing requirements. He opposed legislation that would disarm police officers of military-grade equipment, and requirements that police officers live in the communities they serve. After protestors brought down a statue of Christopher Columbus on the state Capitol grounds, Nash said he opposed the action but would have been open to considering the statue's removal through an established process. He also opposed calls to limit where protests can occur on Capitol grounds, saying it would limit free speech.
Nash opposed limiting felony-sentence probation lengths to five years, and criticized Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell for violating state open meeting laws when he tried to implement the change.
Gun laws
Nash has said he is a "very vocal supporter of the Second Amendment". He has opposed many gun violence prevention measures, saying: "We don't need more gun control. We have plenty of gun laws... What we need is criminal control". He has opposed universal background checks, saying, "a background check isn't going to slow down someone who is intent on committing a crime". Nash has argued in favor of stricter penalties for criminals who use guns, saying it would get more guns off the street. In addressing school shootings, Nash has opposed further gun control and said he would support increasing physical security presences.
Nash has introduced "stand your ground" legislation allowing those to use lethal force to stop felonies and bills eliminating training requirements for obtaining a permit-to-carry and eliminating the need for a permit to carry a gun on public property. He authored a 2019 law giving provisional firearms safety certificated to people with disabilities given they hunt with another adults.
Housing
Nash, who served on the Legislative Commission on Housing Affordability, called for reform to city mandates to lot size and other requirements to increasing housing supply. He has criticized cities for charging high fees on building permits to pay for other government services and called for cities to refund the additional money. Nash opposed legislation to manage the end of the COVID-19 pandemic eviction moratorium, saying it was skewed too heavily towards renters.
Abortion
Nash signed on to a letter calling on Attorney General Lori Swanson to investigate Planned Parenthood for allegedly selling fetal body parts and called on the University of Minnesota to stop participating in research on "aborted human fetal organs". He has criticized the DFL's abortion rights policies as "overreaching" and "an abomination".
Other political positions
Nash criticized Swanson, saying she was "defiant" with the legislature and "out of touch as an auditor". He criticized a proposal to redesign the Minnesota state flag, saying it should not be a legislative priority and a planned redesign of the State Office Building, citing the high cost to taxpayers. Nash supported legislation to block minimum wage increases in St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Nash wrote legislation to allow blaze pink hunting clothes to be allowed in the state, and submitted a "lighthearted" amendment during a debate on banning the wolf hunt that would have reintroduced wild wolves to the Twin Cities metropolitan area. He authored a bill to give tax credits to businesses to create apprenticeship programs at Greater Minnesota high schools.
Nash authored an amendment to limit monthly rent payments for a temporary residence for Governor Walz after officials signed a deal to pay more than $17,000 a month to lease a house while the governor's residence was renovated. He supported legislation to divest any Minnesota investments into Russia after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Nash authored a bill to allow grocery stores and other food retailers to sell beer, wine, and Minnesota-distilled spirits, and supported moves to allow take-out for alcohol during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has supported so-called "free the growler laws", which would allow Minnesota breweries to sell cans and to-go growlers from taprooms and restaurants. In 2021 he sponsored a bipartisan bill that would lift the limit, and said it was "really disappointing" that the bill failed to move forward in both the House and the Senate. He supported a compromise proposal that passed the House in 2022.
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jim Nash | 10,934 | 67.63 | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Matthew Gieseke | 5,186 | 32.08 | |
| Write-in | 47 | 0.29 | ||
| Total votes | 16,167 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jim Nash (incumbent) | 16,696 | 71.50 | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Sean White | 6,631 | 28.40 | |
| Write-in | 25 | 0.11 | ||
| Total votes | 23,352 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jim Nash (incumbent) | 14,106 | 64.70 | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Madalynn Gerold | 7,680 | 35.23 | |
| Write-in | 16 | 0.07 | ||
| Total votes | 21,802 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jim Nash (incumbent) | 19,267 | 67.35 | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Arlan Brinkmeier | 9,308 | 32.54 | |
| Write-in | 31 | 0.11 | ||
| Total votes | 28,606 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jim Nash (incumbent) | 13,018 | 59.66 | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Nathan Kells | 8,785 | 40.26 | |
| Write-in | 19 | 0.09 | ||
| Total votes | 21,822 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
Personal life
Nash lives in Waconia, Minnesota with his spouse, Kim, and has six children.
References
- ^ "Nash, Jim - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present". www.lrl.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
- "Rep. Jim Nash (48A) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
- ^ Coolican, J. Patrick (January 21, 2019). "Gov. Tim Walz faces troubled IT agency, the only department still lacking a permanent leader". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Brucato, Cyndy (2014-07-09). "Minnesota House candidate makes AIDS, 'Gay Agenda' campaign issues". Minnpost.com. Retrieved 2015-07-23.
- "GOP House Candidate Bob Frey Believes Dinosaurs Lived With Humans". CityPages.com. 2014-07-21. Retrieved 2015-07-23.
- Coolican, J. Patrick (August 4, 2018). "Primaries for Minnesota governor looking wide open". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Condon, Patrick (September 25, 2015). "Fiorina lands Minnesota GOP support in presidential bid". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Scheck, Tom (September 24, 2015). "Minnesota leadership team organizes behind Fiorina". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- MPR News Staff, August 19, 2021 (20 August 2021). "Under fire, Minnesota GOP chair Carnahan steps down". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Star Tribune Editorial Board (January 25, 2019). "EDITORIAL | Fixing IT system should be at the top of Minnesota's to-do list". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Pugmire, Tim (April 16, 2019). "Walz names Tomes to head troubled state IT department". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Bierschbach, Briana (2017-06-29). "Amid global threats — and infighting at the Capitol — Minnesota's cybersecurity operation struggles to keep up". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Montemayor, Stephen (November 27, 2021). "New legislative commission begins work on studying Minnesota's cyberdefenses". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Pugmire, Tim (March 2, 2018). "Lawmakers blow past deadline for more MNLARS funds". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Bierschbach, Briana (February 27, 2019). "Audit finds 'mixed' review of state's chief IT agency". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Bierschbach, Briana (2018-02-20). "6 issues to watch as the legislative session gets under way". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Pugmire, Tim (March 8, 2018). "MN lawmaker wants outside bids on all state IT projects". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Bierschbach, Briana (2018-03-13). "The woman at the center of Minnesota's biggest political fight doesn't really have time for a political fight". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Simon, Steve; Nash, Jim (October 1, 2018). "OPINION EXCHANGE | Minnesota's voting systems: We repelled an attack in 2016, but must do much more". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Montemayor, Stephen (January 17, 2019). "Bid to get Minnesota federal election security money picks up early in session". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
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- Montemayor, Stephen (April 30, 2019). "Minnesota House GOP amendments probe DFL pressure points". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Montemayor, Stephen (April 7, 2021). "National voting rights clashes color debate over Minnesota election law proposals". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Pugmire, Tim (April 6, 2021). "Election bills highlight Minnesota's political divide". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Callaghan, Peter (2019-05-01). "In pushing changes to the state's election laws, is the Minnesota House rewriting one of the Capitol's unwritten rules?". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Montemayor, Stephen (April 8, 2020). "Minnesota secretary of state proposes election changes because of COVID-19". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Pugmire, Tim (April 8, 2020). "Vote-by-mail plan for Minnesota gets cool reception". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Van Oot, Torey (August 4, 2020). "Minnesota judge extends vote-by-mail changes prompted by coronavirus to November election". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Van Berkel, Jessie (September 18, 2020). "Minnesota secretary of state sends absentee ballots applications after lawsuit". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Pugmire, Tim (June 17, 2020). "GOP lawmakers blast Simon for deal in voting lawsuits". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Callaghan, Peter (2020-06-18). "Secretary of state agrees to deal on absentee ballots; Republicans cry foul". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Callaghan, Peter (2020-04-09). "Minnesota secretary of state's vote-by-mail push gets push-back from GOP". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Bierschbach, Briana; Otárola, Miguel (September 29, 2020). "Trump seizes on conservative group's claim of fraud in Minneapolis election". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Montemayor, Stephen (October 3, 2021). "Plenty of GOP criticism, yet few challengers for Secretary of State Steve Simon". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Condon, Patrick (January 8, 2015). "Roads, bridges on Dayton's plate at Chamber dinner". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Runbeck, Linda; Peppin, Joyce (November 29, 2017). "OPINION EXCHANGE | The Met Council: Why this unelected governing body needs reforms". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Moore, Janet (January 24, 2018). "Southwest light-rail project faces questions from lawmakers". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Callaghan, Peter (2015-07-09). "Met Council approves revamped Southwest LRT funding plan". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Moore, Janet (July 9, 2015). "Southwest light rail's new $1.74 billion budget approved by Met Council". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Bierschbach, Briana (2016-01-14). "Why the 2016 legislative session will be critical for Southwest LRT". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Bakst, Brian (March 3, 2022). "Audit fever hits Minnesota lawmakers". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Walsh, Paul (September 3, 2020). "Cop gives '#MplsRiot2020' coin to lawmaker after police ride-along in Minneapolis". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Van Berkel, Jessie (October 17, 2020). "Minnesota legislators push past politics to strike bonding deal". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Nelson, Emma (October 10, 2017). "Minneapolis mayoral candidate Raymond Dehn focuses on racial equity, criminal justice". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Pugmire, Tim (June 16, 2020). "House Democrats move quickly on police changes". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Condon, Patrick (June 12, 2020). "Gov. Tim Walz says he understands why Christopher Columbus statue was toppled, but there will be consequences". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- MPR News Staff, June 10, 2020 (10 June 2020). "MN protesters pull down Columbus statue at Capitol". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - Pugmire, Tim (July 10, 2017). "Protest policies under review at MN Capitol". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Montemayor, Stephen (November 7, 2019). "Minnesota House member challenges vote on probation caps". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Grow, Doug (2017-09-07). "Why gun-rights advocates may — or may not — be really ticked at Republican lawmakers in Minnesota". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Shenoy, Rupa (March 15, 2013). "Gun background checks bill heads to full Senate". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Nord, James (2013-03-15). "Background-checks gun bill advances in Senate, but fate uncertain". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- ^ Montemayor, Stephen (February 28, 2019). "Minnesota gun debate in spotlight as two bills draw hours of emotional testimony". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- ^ Faircloth, Ryan (December 12, 2022). "Minnesota Democrats poised to revive gun control talks after winning full control of Legislature". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Pugmire, Tim (April 30, 2019). "Minnesota House passes gun control measures". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Bakst, Brian (March 14, 2018). "Dayton takes trip down memory lane in last big speech". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Williams, Brandt; Cox, Peter (March 8, 2017). "Gun debate at Capitol draws large crowds". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- The Associated Press (February 16, 2023). "MN Legislature considering 5 bills related to guns". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Anderson, Dennis (November 14, 2019). "Anderson: Impact of law change plays out for disabled hunter on opener". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Van Berkel, Jessie; Webster, MaryJo (August 9, 2021). "Minnesota legislators aim to spur creation of more entry-level housing". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Van Berkel, Jessie (September 25, 2021). "Legislative debate over solutions to Minnesota's housing shortage off to rocky start". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Roper, Eric (August 22, 2019). "Builders say cities are overcharging for permits". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
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- Bakst, Brian (April 26, 2021). "Legislature divided over end to COVID-19 eviction rule". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Multiple Authors (July 16, 2015). "Readers Write (July 17): Planned Parenthood, MNsure and the Affordable Care Act, Tennessee shooting". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
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- Golden, Erin (August 14, 2017). "State Auditor Rebecca Otto campaigns for governor while fighting for the future of her office". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Keen, Judy (April 18, 2018). "Minnesota Supreme Court rules against Rebecca Otto in county audits case". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Nelson, Tim (February 15, 2017). "MN House panel grills state auditor over lawsuit". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Nelson, Emma (April 9, 2022). "Some Minnesota legislators want to rethink state flag". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Van Berkel, Jessie (December 21, 2022). "Minnesota legislators approve $500M overhaul of State Office Building". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Nelson, Tim (March 3, 2017). "MN House votes to block minimum wage, sick time moves in Mpls. and St. Paul". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Bakst, Brian (March 30, 2016). "'Blaze pink' hunting wear bill heads toward House vote". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Orenstein, Walker (2019-05-14). "The long-simmering fight over wolf hunting in Minnesota is political — and emotional". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Hinrichs, Erin (2017-03-08). "Looking to give high schoolers better access to vocational training, legislators propose credit-for-apprenticeships program". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Van Berkel, Jessie (March 30, 2023). "Republicans attempt to limit governor's temporary housing costs". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Bakst, Brian (March 28, 2023). "Walz's temporary quarters stir uproar over dollars". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Ibrahim, Mohamed (March 10, 2022). "Minnesota lawmakers plan bipartisan divestment from Russia". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- ^ Bierschbach, Briana (2018-05-04). "Is a behind-the-scenes debate at the Legislature foreshadowing more big changes to Minnesota's liquor laws?". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Callaghan, Peter; Orenstein, Walker (2020-11-24). "Walz, Republicans propose plans to help Minnesota businesses affected by COVID restrictions". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Galioto, Katie (January 29, 2021). "Down the drain: Castle Danger dumps beer as it pushes to 'free the growler'". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Callaghan, Peter (2020-03-13). "Bottles, caps and cans: the state of booze bills before the 2020 Minnesota Legislature". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Star Tribune Editorial Board (April 9, 2021). "EDITORIAL | Free the growler and help Minnesota breweries". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Hollingsworth, Jana (April 29, 2021). "'Free-the-growler' legislation appears dead at Minnesota Capitol". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Nelson, Emma (May 7, 2022). "Dust off the growler: This could be the year Minnesota liquor laws change". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- Callaghan, Peter (2022-05-20). "Not so vice: Minnesota lawmakers reach deal on growler sales while bill to legalize sports betting hits major hurdle". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- "2014 Results for State Representative District 47A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
- "2014 Results for State Representative District 47A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
- "2018 Results for State Representative District 47A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
- "2020 Results for State Representative District 47A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
- "2022 Results for State Representative District 48A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
External links
- Jim Nash at Minnesota Legislators Past & Present
- Official House of Representatives website
- Official campaign website