Matt Grossell
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 2A district
Assumed office
January 3, 2017
Preceded byDave Hancock
Personal details
Born (1965-10-15) October 15, 1965
Itasca County, Minnesota, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Children3
Residence(s)Clearbrook, Minnesota, U.S.
EducationItasca Community College (AA)
Hibbing Community College
Occupation
WebsiteGovernment website Campaign website

Matthew "Matt" Grossell (born October 15, 1965)[1] is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2017. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, Grossell represents District 2A in northwestern Minnesota, which includes the city of Bemidji and parts of Beltrami, Clearwater, and Lake of the Woods Counties.[2][3]

Early life, education, and career

Grossell attended Itasca Community College, graduating with an Associate of Arts degree, and Hibbing Community College, graduating with a law enforcement certificate. He is a retired Clearwater County sheriff's deputy, and was shot on the job a month into his time as an officer.[2][4]

Minnesota House of Representatives

Grossell was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2016 and has been reelected every two years since. He first ran after two-term Republican incumbent Dave Hancock did not seek reelection.[2]

Grossell serves on the Capital Investment, Judiciary Finance and Civil Law and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committees.[2]

Public safety and policing

Grossell authored legislation raising the penalty for attacking a police officer to a felony and prohibits local governments from disarming police.[4][5] After the Minnesota Police and Peace Officer's Association testified in support of certain gun safety measures, Grossell said the organization had "allowed themselves to be politically motivated".[6]

During a press conference on crime in Minneapolis, Grossell got into an argument with Mayor Jacob Frey, the two accused each other of lying about Minneapolis' policing policy.[7][8][9] After the murder of George Floyd, Grossell drew controversy by posting the death was "not about race".[10]

Other political positions

Grossell has supported Enbridge's plans to replace the Line 3 crude oil pipeline.[11] He opposed legislation to extend drivers licences to all Minnesotans regardless of immigration status.[12]

Arrests

May 2019 arrest

In May of 2019, Grossell was arrested for illegal trespassing by St. Paul police. Police found him drunk after becoming unruly at a hotel bar near the Capitol, and took him to the hospital for evaluation. Once there, Grossell was cleared by staff but refused to leave, became argumentative, and was arrested.[13] He released an apology, saying "I apologize to my family, my constituents, my colleagues, and my friends. As a retired deputy sheriff, I will fully cooperate with any next steps".[14]

Grossell was later additionally charged with disorderly conduct, after reports that he pushed a security guard several times, pulling him to the ground.[15] According to police reports, when Grossell was released from jail, he entered St. Paul police headquarters and told front desk staff he was a state representative and former sheriff that "it will be hell to pay".[16] After legal negotiations, Grossell agreed to perform 16 hours of community service and pay a $150 fee to have the charges dismissed.[17]

Following the incident, Grossell was removed from both the House Public Safety and Judiciary committees by Speaker Melissa Hortman. Hortman stated she found Grossell's "implied threat" to law enforcement to be an abuse of office. Grossell's attorney and Republican minority leader Kurt Daudt criticized Hortman for the removal.[18][19]

February 2023 arrest

In February of 2023, Grossell was arrested and cited with three misdemeanors for driving under the influence of alcohol. He was stopped at 2:40 a.m. near his home for speeding, and his blood alcohol level was measured at .15%, which is almost twice the .08% legal limit.[20][21]

Grossell was re-assigned to both the Public Safety and Judiciary committees after the 2022 election, and Speaker Horman said she was waiting on more information before deciding to take action on Grossell's committee assignments.[22]

Electoral history

2016 Minnesota State House - District 2A[23]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Matt Grossell 12,387 63.94
Democratic (DFL) Jerry Loud 6,925 35.74
Write-in 62 0.32
Total votes 19,374 100.0
Republican hold
2018 Minnesota State House - District 2A[24]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Matt Grossell 10,006 59.78
Democratic (DFL) Michael Northbird 6,765 40.18
Write-in 7 0.04
Total votes 16,778 100.0
Republican hold
2020 Minnesota State House - District 2A[25]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Matt Grossell 14,009 62.43
Democratic (DFL) Jeremiah Liend 8,395 37.41
Write-in 35 0.16
Total votes 22,439 100.0
Republican hold
2022 Minnesota State House - District 2A[26]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Matt Grossell 8,836 54.35
Democratic (DFL) Reed Olson 7,405 45.55
Write-in 16 0.10
Total votes 16,257 100.0
Republican hold

Personal life

Grossell is single and has three children. He resides in Clearbrook, Minnesota.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Matt Grossell, State Representative, District 2a from Minnesota". Voterly. Archived from the original on 2023-04-28. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Grossell, Matthew". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Rep. Matt Grossell (02A) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.mn.gov. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  4. 1 2 Bakst, Brian (March 22, 2018). "A gun bill advances, but this one aimed at police power". MPR News. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  5. ↑ Van Berkel, Jessie (March 22, 2018). "House bills would increase penalty for attacking an officer, prevent police disarmament". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  6. ↑ Griffith, Michelle (2023-02-03). "Minnesota House committee furthers four gun control bills". Minnesota Reformer. Archived from the original on 2023-04-05. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  7. ↑ Eischens, Rilyn (February 17, 2020). "GOP lawmakers unveil crime bills, point a literal finger at Minneapolis mayor". Minnesota Reformer. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  8. ↑ Montemayor, Stephen (February 17, 2020). "Minnesota GOP lawmakers take aim at Twin Cities crime". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  9. ↑ Callaghan, Peter (2020-02-18). "Frey jumps into the fray as GOP legislators make issue of crime in Minneapolis, St. Paul". MinnPost. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  10. ↑ Rao, Maya (September 25, 2020). "Trump rally highlights tensions over race in Beltrami County". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  11. ↑ The Associated Press (September 18, 2018). "Line 3 pipeline protesters block bridge near Bemidji". MPR News. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  12. ↑ Bakst, Brian (February 6, 2023). "DFL steams ahead at MN Capitol, GOP brands it 'extreme'". MPR News. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  13. ↑ Adler, Erin (May 5, 2019). "Minnesota lawmaker, retired sheriff's deputy arrested for alleged trespassing". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  14. ↑ The Associated Press (May 5, 2019). "Minnesota lawmaker arrested after alleged disturbances". MPR News. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  15. ↑ Van Berkel, Jessie (May 8, 2019). "Rep. Matt Grossell faces additional charge for allegedly pushing security guard during weekend confrontation". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  16. ↑ Van Berkel, Jessie (August 29, 2019). "State Rep. Matt Grossell demoted for drunken arrest, implied threat to officers". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  17. ↑ Van Berkel, Jessie (June 26, 2019). "Rep. Matt Grossell penalized after trespass, disorderly conduct charges". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  18. ↑ Van Berkel, Jessie. "State Rep. Matt Grossell demoted for drunken arrest, implied threat to officers". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  19. ↑ Pugmire, Tim (August 28, 2019). "Lawmaker removed from committees after drunken arrest last spring". MPR News. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  20. ↑ Krauss, Louis (February 18, 2023). "Republican lawmaker Matt Grossell cited for DWI in northern Minnesota". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  21. ↑ Bakst, Brian (February 17, 2023). "Minnesota Rep. Grossell cited for DWI". MPR News. Archived from the original on 2023-03-19. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  22. ↑ Ingraham, Christopher (February 20, 2023). "House Speaker awaiting more information on lawmaker's DWI arrest before deciding response". Minnesota Reformer. Archived from the original on 2023-04-01. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  23. ↑ "2016 Results for State Representative District 2A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  24. ↑ "2018 Results for State Representative District 2A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  25. ↑ "2020 Results for State Representative District 2A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  26. ↑ "2022 Results for State Representative District 2A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
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