MinneapoliMedia's Meet Your Legislator Interview Series

MinneapoliMedia's Meet Your Legislator Interview Series

Exclusive interview with Representative Ben Bakeberg as he reflects On tragedy, service, and the path forward

By Tom Akaolisa, MinneapoliMedia

The people of Minnesota are reeling from an unspeakable tragedy that has shaken the very foundation of our democratic institutions. The assassination of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, followed by the attempted assassination of Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, has triggered a wave of collective grief and reckoning throughout the state and beyond.

In this moment of sorrow, MinneapoliMedia remains committed to fostering civic dialogue through our Meet Your Legislator series. Today, I speak with Representative Ben Bakeberg (R–District 54B), a former educator and middle school principal whose leadership is deeply rooted in community values and resilience.

Representative Bakeberg joins me to discuss the ongoing work of healing, the burdens and responsibilities of public service in dangerous times, and how Minnesotans can come together to protect one another—and their democracy.

Tom Akaolisa, MinneapoliMedia: Representative Bakeberg, thank you for speaking with us during this difficult time. To begin, can you share your reflections on the tragic loss of Speaker Emerita Hortman and the attack on Senator Hoffman and his wife?

Rep. Ben Bakeberg:

It’s incredibly difficult to put into words. The violence we’ve witnessed is horrific, heartbreaking, and senseless. My thoughts and prayers are with Senator Hoffman, Yvette, their daughter, and the entire Hortman family. As a state, we are grieving together.

Speaker Hortman and her husband will lie in state at the Capitol, and I’m honored to attend the private service. These moments remind us that those who serve—whether in politics, education, or even youth sports—do so out of a desire to make their communities better. It’s critical we remember that public service does not make someone a target.

We can and should have passionate, even vigorous, policy debates. But disagreement must never turn into dehumanization. Speaker Hortman embodied quiet strength and grace. When she spoke, it carried weight. We must return to debating ideas, not attacking people.

There’s a song by TobyMac called “It Starts With Me”—that idea really resonates with me. Whether I’m at school, in the legislature, or at home with my family, I try to model respect and empathy. If more of us embraced that mentality, I believe our communities would be better for it.

Akaolisa: How has this violence affected you personally and professionally? Have you had to reevaluate your sense of safety or that of your family and staff?

Rep. Bakeberg:
Yes, absolutely. I entered politics because, as an educator, I was deeply concerned about the direction of public education. I was raised to believe that if you see a problem, you don’t just complain—you step up and get involved.

But this violence has had a personal impact. I have three children, and like any parent, my primary concern is their safety. There have been connections in our area related to the shooter, and of course, your mind goes to the “what ifs.” We’ve made some adjustments in how we go about our lives—not out of fear, but out of wisdom.

And yet, amidst the fear, the support has been overwhelming. People I hadn’t heard from in years reached out. That sense of community is powerful, and it's something I’m trying to foster in my role as a principal and legislator. I tell our students—and live by this myself—that when you see something good, say something. Encourage others. Lift them up. It’s part of how we move forward.

Akaolisa: What conversations are you having across party lines about safety, solidarity, and political responsibility?

Rep. Bakeberg:

One relationship that’s been especially meaningful is with Rep. Heather Keeler from Moorhead. We come from different political and personal perspectives, but we’ve found common ground—especially around student attendance and truancy.

Building trust across the aisle means that when tensions rise, we can defend each other’s character, not just our policy points. I can say with confidence, “That’s not who Rep. Keeler is,” and she can do the same for me. That kind of trust helps de-escalate and humanize our debates.

We need to build those relationships before the disagreements happen. That way, we can disagree without being disagreeable—and remain focused on the work that matters.

Akaolisa: Can you share some of your legislative priorities and recent initiatives?

Rep. Bakeberg:
One of my top priorities has been addressing chronic absenteeism and truancy. As a principal, I see how impactful school attendance is—academically, socially, and from a public safety perspective. If a student is in class, they’re not out on the streets, getting pulled into dangerous situations.

This past session, Rep. Keeler and I worked together on this issue, bringing different but complementary lenses—mine from education, hers from a human trafficking prevention perspective. We passed some incremental legislation, like requiring school officials to notify county and district leaders when a student misses 15 consecutive days. But we still need the Department of Education to step up. Despite receiving significant budget increases, their commitment hasn’t matched the urgency.

I’ve also secured funding for the long-overdue reconstruction of the 169/282 interchange in Jordan—a major safety and economic concern. Additionally, thanks to a federal partnership, we’re building a pedestrian tunnel to reconnect parts of the community divided by the highway.

And child safety online remains a deep concern. I’m working on age verification measures to help shield children from harmful internet content. Everything I do comes back to this: protecting and empowering young people.

Akaolisa: As a longtime educator, how do you teach future generations to engage civically without resorting to violence, especially when tensions are high?

Rep. Bakeberg:

We model it. We show kids that disagreement is okay—that it’s healthy—but attacking others is not. At my school, we set clear expectations and boundaries. We teach students why rules exist and hold them accountable in a way that educates, not humiliates.

We use what I call the stoplight analogy: some kids are natural rule-followers (green), others push boundaries (red), and many are in between (yellow). If adults don’t clearly define expectations, everyone looks like they’re misbehaving.

Kids want boundaries. They crave clarity. And when adults set consistent standards—and lead by example—kids thrive. That principle applies in schools and in our broader civic life. Society has to model the behavior it wants to see.

Akaolisa: What steps should Minnesota take to protect public officials without sacrificing accessibility and transparency?

Rep. Bakeberg:
It starts with each of us. As elected officials, we must be wise about what we say, post, and share. We need to push back against extremism on all sides. As I’ve said before, condemn the misleaders, but welcome the misled. Some people spread lies for personal gain—but others have simply been misinformed. We need to reach them, not shun them.

I follow a Biblical conflict resolution model: confront in private, escalate only when necessary, and always aim for restoration. But there comes a point when we have to say, “I won’t be associated with this.” That clarity—paired with compassion—is what leadership requires.

Akaolisa: Would you support a bipartisan resolution condemning political violence? And how can both parties de-escalate tensions?

Rep. Bakeberg:
Absolutely. I’ve already spoken publicly to denounce political violence, and I know many of my colleagues—on both sides—have done the same.

But this goes beyond just physical violence. We need to stop vilifying each other online and in public discourse. We must create a culture where robust debate is welcomed—but personal attacks are not.

We also need to hold our own side accountable. I appreciated Rep. Niska’s statement making clear that the Governor was not to blame for what happened. That’s leadership. Truth matters.

Akaolisa: What message do you have for Minnesotans who may feel disillusioned, fearful, or even radicalized?

Rep. Bakeberg:
Turn off the noise—and talk to your neighbors.

I challenged the media at a recent event to report more good news. There is incredible bipartisan work happening every day at the Capitol—but you rarely hear about it.

Our job as representatives is not just to serve, but to tell those stories—to remind Minnesotans that despite our differences, we’re building bridges. If something helps our constituents, we should support it. Period.

Akaolisa: Finally, what gives you hope right now? Where do you see Minnesota’s resilience shining through?

Rep. Bakeberg:
The people.

Whether it’s chatting with a couple at the Prior Lake Farmers Market, or talking to families at a baseball game—it’s the daily lives of ordinary Minnesotans that give me hope. Parents helping their kids with homework. Families showing up for each other. That’s where our strength is.

And for me personally, it’s also my faith. I believe in a hope that transcends tragedy. But even beyond that, I believe in the goodness of our communities. When you unplug from the noise and talk to real people, you remember just how amazing Minnesotans truly are.

MinneapoliMedia thanks Representative Ben Bakeberg for his candor, service, and commitment to civic life. In a moment of deep reflection for our state, his call for compassion, accountability, and courage rings especially true. We look forward to following his continued work at the Capitol.

MinneapoliMedia