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Paul Novotny
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 30B district
Incumbent
Assumed office
February 11, 2020
Preceded byNick Zerwas
Personal details
Born (1966-05-26) May 26, 1966 (age 58)
Political partyRepublican
SpouseNicole
Children2
ResidenceElk River, Minnesota
Alma materNorth Hennepin Community College (A.A.S.)
OccupationLaw enforcement
WebsiteGovernment website
Campaign website

Paul Novotny (born May 26, 1966) is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2020. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Novotny represents District 30B in east-central Minnesota, which includes the cities of Elk River and Otsego and parts of Anoka, Sherburne, and Wright Counties.[1][2]

Early life, education, and career

Novotny grew up on a dairy farm in Elk River, Minnesota. He graduated from North Hennepin Community College with an A.A.S. in law enforcement.[1]

Novotny has worked as a police officer in Princeton, Minnesota, and was a sergeant for the Sherburne County Sheriff's Office, serving as an investigative sergeant and a firearms instructor over the course of his 30-year career.[1]

Minnesota House of Representatives

Novotny was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in a special election on February 4, 2020. He won a full term in November 2020 and was reelected in 2022. Novotny first ran after four-term incumbent Nick Zerwas resigned to spend more time with his family.[1][3][4][5][6]

During the 2021-22 legislative session, Novotny served as an assistant minority leader. He serves as the minority lead on the Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee and sits on the Human Services Policy and Ways and Means Committees.[1]

Political Positions

Novotny opposes ending qualified immunity for police officers and banning no-knock warrants.[7] He drafted legislation that would require more transparency when third-party organizations post bail for someone.[8][9] He has argued that bail should be set for violent offenders who pose a threat to society, not nonviolent low-level offenses.[10] Novotny opposed a provision that would give families of those killed by police money for burial costs and trauma services.[11]

Novotny supported a DFL bill requiring judges to issue "sign and release" warrants for certain misdemeanor offenses instead of arrest warrants.[12] He co-authored a bill establishing harsher penalties for the sale or possession of fentanyl, and legislation that would create an electronic database to track the sale of used catalytic converters in response to an increase in theft.[13][14] Novotny spoke against a state office of youth restorative justice because it would increase bureaucracy.[15]

Novorny opposed legislation to restore the right to vote to felons while they are on parole, saying it is unfair to the victims of serious crimes such as homicides. He unsuccessfully attempted to amend the bill to require payment of fines before voting rights are restored.[16][17]

Novotny signed on to a letter to the Sherburne County Board of Commissioners asking it to designate the county a "Second Amendment sanctuary."[18] He has expressed concerns about red flag laws.[19]

Electoral history

2020 Republican Primary for Minnesota State House - District 30A Special Election[20]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paul Novotny 1,136 86.98
Republican Kathy Ziebarth 170 13.02
Total votes 1,306 100.0
2020 Minnesota State House - District 30A Special Election[21]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paul Novotny 1,983 63.44
Democratic (DFL) Chad Hobot 1,141 36.50
Write-in 2 0.06
Total votes 3,126 100.0
Republican hold
2020 Minnesota State House - District 30A[22]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paul Novotny (incumbent) 16,154 66.23
Democratic (DFL) Chad Hobot 8,219 33.70
Write-in 16 0.07
Total votes 24,389 100.0
Republican hold
2022 Minnesota State House - District 30B[23]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Paul Novotny (incumbent) 12,866 65.57
Democratic (DFL) Chad Hobot 6,751 34.40
Write-in 6 0.03
Total votes 19,623 100.0
Republican hold

Personal life

Novotny lives in Elk River, Minnesota, with his wife, Nicole. They have two children.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Novotny, Paul - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present". www.lrl.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-02-19.
  2. ^ "Rep. Paul Novotny (30B) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  3. ^ Van Berkel, Jessie (November 25, 2019). "4-term Minnesota Rep. Nick Zerwas, battling heart condition, to resign". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  4. ^ Faircloth, Ryan (January 14, 2020). "Sherburne County sheriff's sergeant wins special election primary for Minnesota House seat". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  5. ^ Faircloth, Ryan (February 4, 2020). "DFL, GOP hold onto Minn. House seats in two special elections". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  6. ^ The Associated Press (February 5, 2020). "Republican Novotny, Democrat Jordan win special elections". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  7. ^ Berkel, Jessie Van; Faircloth, Ryan (February 1, 2023). "'A constant reminder': Minnesota lawmakers consider police reforms after Tyre Nichols' death". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  8. ^ Andy, Mannix (October 9, 2020). "Release of Derek Chauvin again brings bail questions to the forefront in Minnesota". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  9. ^ Orenstein, Walker (2021-03-25). "Bill requiring public disclosure of groups covering cash bail is getting traction at the Minnesota Legislature". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  10. ^ Ibrahim, Mohamed (2023-01-17). "Violence prevention, bail reform among lawmakers' public safety priorities". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  11. ^ Bakst, Brian (April 8, 2021). "Gulf builds in MN Legislature over public safety plans". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  12. ^ Montemayor, Stephen (April 27, 2021). "Wright's death fuels push to change Minnesota warrant process". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  13. ^ Walsh, Paul; Chhith, Alex (March 21, 2021). "Motorist shot after interrupting suspects trying to steal his catalytic converter, St. Paul police say". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  14. ^ Small, Robert (March 17, 2022). "OPINION EXCHANGE | Reforms needed to battle fentanyl scourge". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  15. ^ Serres, Chris; Sawyer, Liz (January 12, 2023). "Citing failures, Minnesota DFL lawmakers push juvenile justice system reforms". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  16. ^ Olson, Rochelle (February 5, 2023). "Minnesota Legislature moving to restore voting rights for felons upon release from custody". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  17. ^ Bakst, Brian (February 15, 2023). "MN Supreme Court defers to lawmakers on felon voting rights". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  18. ^ Montemayor, Stephen (January 21, 2020). "GOP lawmakers press for first Minn. 'Second Amendment sanctuary'". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  19. ^ Orenstein, Walker (2023-02-15). "Minnesota Democrats hope to advance 'red flag' gun bill at Legislature". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
  20. ^ "2020 Results for State Representative District 30A Special Election Primary". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  21. ^ "2020 Results for State Representative District 30A Special Election". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  22. ^ "2020 Results for State Representative District 30A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  23. ^ "2022 Results for State Representative District 30B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
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