John Persell

John Sterling Persell, Jr. (born 1950) is an American DFL politician who represented District 5A in the Minnesota House of Representatives in northern Minnesota, first winning election in 2008.

John Persell
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
In office January 8, 2019 – January 4, 2021
Preceded by	Matt Bliss
Succeeded by	Matt Bliss
Constituency	District 5A
In office January 6, 2009 – January 2, 2017
Preceded by	Frank Moe
Succeeded by	Matt Bliss
Constituency	District 5A (2013–2017) District 4A (2009–2013)
Personal details
Born	1950 (age 74–75)
Political party	Democratic–Farmer–Labor
Children	3
Alma mater	Bemidji State University

Early life, education, and career

Persell majored in biology at Bemidji State University, and served in the United States Air Force. He was a member of the Beltrami County Soil and Water Conservation Board, and of the Frohn Township Board of Supervisors. Persell is a member of the American Legion Honor Guard, and has worked as a mentor in the STEM Program (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) at Leech Lake Tribal College in Cass Lake.^[1][2] He is also a retired water quality specialist and environmental policy analyst for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.^[3]

Minnesota House of Representatives

Persell was elected in 2008, running after two-term Representative Frank Moe opted not to seek reelection.^[4] He was reelected in 2010, 2012, and 2014.

In 2016 he lost reelection to Republican Matt Bliss. In a rematch in 2018, Persell beat Bliss by just 11 votes.^[5] He was chosen to lead the Environment and Natural Resources Policy Committee.^[6]

In 2020, he was challenged by Bliss again, and defeated by 1,485 votes.