Keith Allen (Minnesota politician)
Keith Allen | |
|---|---|
| Member of the MN House of Representatives District 19A | |
| In office January 6th, 2025 – present | |
| Preceded by | Brian Daniels |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 27, 1977 Rochester, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Morgan Allen, m. 2003 |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Hawkeye Community College University of Minnesota |
| Profession | Farmer, small business owner |
| Committees | Capital Investment
Commerce Finance and Policy Higher Education Finance and Policy |
Keith Allen (born July 27, 1977) is an American politician, farmer, and small business owner.[1] He has served as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2025, representing District 19A.[2] He is a member of the Republican Party.[3]
Early life, education, and professional career
Keith Allen was born on July 27, 1977, in Rochester, Minnesota. He graduated from Dover-Eyota High School in Eyota, Minnesota.[4] He graduated from Hawkeye Community College with an A.S. in agriculture, agriculture operations, and related sciences. He then earned his B.S. in animal science at the University of Minnesota. He most recently attended Southwest Minnesota State University for the Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership (MARL) Program focused on rural leadership.[5]
Allen has an extensive career in agriculture and farming, serving in roles such as sales, customer service, and management, before starting a small business.
Political career
Allen worked for U.S. Representative Brad Finstad as a District Outreach Representative during the 118th Congress.[6]
Minnesota House of Representatives
Allen was sworn in on January 6, 2025, by Speaker Lisa Demuth.[7]
The "Got Milk" Bill:
During the 2025 Legislative Session, his inaugural session, Rep. Keith Allen chief-authored HF2387[8]. It is a straightforward and cost-saving measure designed to reduce food waste in schools while protecting taxpayer dollars[9]. The bill will allow students to take a milk carton at school without taking an entire meal, reducing food waste and taxpayer burden under Minnesota's current free school lunch program[10].
Preserving Girls Sports Act:
Rep. Keith Allen was a co-author and sponsor of HF12[11] during the 2025 Legislative Session. This bill seeks to protect girls sports, allowing female athletes to compete on a level playing field, maintaining safety and fairness.
Fighting Fraud in MN:
Rep. Allen was also a co-author and sponsor of HF1[12], a bill to establish an Independent Office of the Inspector General[13]. At a time when fraud in public programs across Minnesota has skyrocketed above $9 billion[14], an average cost of $3,840 per MN household, there is a need for greater oversight and stronger safeguards against fraud.
Committees:[7]
- Capital Investment
- Commerce Finance and Policy
- Higher Education Finance and Policy
Personal life
Allen is involved in his community in the following groups/organizations:[15]
- MN Farm Bureau
- Goodhue County Board of Adjustment
- Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership Class 8
- Dale Lutheran Church Board President
- Cherry Grove Township Supervisor
References
- ^ Thibedeau, Deanna (September 22, 2023). "Keith Allen announces run for Minnesota House 19A". Kenyon Leader. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ "Allen, Keith". Minnesota Legislators Past & Present. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
- ^ "Rep. Keith Allen (19A) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.mn.gov. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
- ^ "Minnesota State Rep. Keith Allen - Biography | LegiStorm". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved April 10, 2025.
- ^ "Keith Allen For House – P.O. Box 118 WANAMINGO, MN 55983". Retrieved April 4, 2025.
- ^ Allen, Keith. "Linkedin".
- ^ a b "Rep. Keith Allen (19A) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.mn.gov. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/94/2025/0/HF/2387/versions/latest/?list=open
- ^ "Rep. Keith Allen - RELEASE: Rep. Allen's "Got Milk" Bill to Cut Waste and Save Taxpayer Dollars". www.house.mn.gov. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- ^ "Free School Meals for Kids Program". education.mn.gov. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- ^ "HF 12 Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)". www.revisor.mn.gov. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- ^ "HF 1 4th Engrossment - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)". www.revisor.mn.gov. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- ^ "KARE 11 Investigates: 'Enough Is Enough' senators call for independent watchdog amid reports of Medicaid fraud". kare11.com. August 21, 2025. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- ^ "At least $9B billed across 14 Medicaid services in Minnesota may be fraudulent, top prosecutor says - CBS Minnesota". www.cbsnews.com. December 18, 2025. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
- ^ "Keith Allen For House – P.O. Box 118 WANAMINGO, MN 55983". Retrieved April 7, 2025.