Rep. Kraft’s Corporate Perspective on Data Centers, the Environment, and Healthcare
Rep. Kraft spent the majority of his career in the high-tech sector. According to BallotPedia, "Kraft earned a B.S. in computer science in 1987 and an M.B.A. in 1988, both from Cornell University. His career experience includes working as the vice president of marketing at ISDN Systems Corporation, at Netfax, at Advanced Switching Communications, and at Digi International." It is perhaps unsurprising, then, that Rep. Kraft's perspectives often align with corporate interests.
Questions about data centers have been cutting through the two-party system in unexpected ways. Even stated environmentalists have been siding with corporate interests when it comes to data centers. Rep. Kraft voted "Yes" on House File 16 (HF16), the major Data Center Regulatory Bill, which passed the Minnesota House of Representatives on June 9, 2025. It implemented several complex trade-offs regarding data center operations in Minnesota. Rep. Kraft voted alongside a bipartisan majority consisting of 60 Republicans and 25 Democrats, also including Rep. Youakim. This is a win for corporations and a loss for taxpayers.
In 2013, Kraft made a career change and ran a national nonprofit that helped young people advocate for tougher local climate policy. As he writes on his website, "local action is a powerful tool for combating climate change". Ironically, Rep Kraft often favors state preemption over local control, especially when it comes to housing policy, much to the dismay of many MN Mayors. We have seen the ill effects of state preemption in assault weapons laws in Minnesota. Rep. Kraft, please remember your commitment to local solutions to big issues.
I see Rep. Kraft as a savvy businessperson masquerading as someone who cares about local interests and the environment. He does not support Prove It First (BWCA protection legislation). The last time I was at the Capitol to advocate for Prove It First, I was told in no uncertain terms that my argument stank of NIMBism (if the public well was in your backyard, would you put a toxic mine in your backyard? I think not.) and was offered ice cream and a selfie. Rep. Kraft has declined invitations from Friends of the BWCA to discuss this legislation. Join me in asking environmental groups why they continue to endorse Rep. Kraft despite his lukewarm support of environmental efforts.
Kraft even once went so far as to cast a lone dissenting vote on banning the sale of vaping products and e-cigarettes in SLP while on SLP City Council. “While he was concerned about the number of young people vaping, he felt the ordinance was an open-ended ban that got ahead of federal regulations” (Star Tribune, Jan 7, 2020). This obfuscating language about federal regulations is hiding the fact that the ban on vaping products and e-cigarettes would be bad for business in SLP.
Larry, if you are pro-business, please just tell us that you're pro-business. There is no need to green-wash your own campaign for our sakes. I would prefer a candidate who speaks plainly with voters, even if I don't agree with their positions, to a candidate who hides behind empty rhetoric and homemade ice cream. SLP and Minnesota deserve your honesty, not your crafty charade.
Rep. Kraft's creative wordsmithing also comes to mind when I think about HCMC funding solutions. I recently corresponded with Hennepin Country Commissioner Edelson on this issue. Here is her response from Sept 8, 2026:
"I believe Minnesota needs a more sustainable funding model for HCMC that recognizes its statewide role and does not simply shift increasing costs onto Hennepin County property taxpayers. A state legislative task force is currently examining HCMC’s future, and I am advocating for a long-term state partnership that protects these essential services. There are difficult decisions ahead but protecting HCMC and the people who depend on it will continue to be a priority for me."
Here is Rep. Kraft's May 1, 2026, statement on the issue:
"(HCMC is) a symptom of our broken healthcare system in this country. Even before the disastrous cuts to Medicaid in the federal HR1 reconciliation bill that passed last summer, the payments received by hospitals for Medicaid/Medicare were not enough to cover costs. It is beyond time that we move to a single payer universal healthcare system in this country. And if we can’t do it nationwide, then we should do it in Minnesota (we can!).
There does seem to be bipartisan acknowledgement that HCMC can not be allowed to fail. Hennepin County has introduced a proposal to increase its ballpark sales tax, ranging from .015% to 1%, to generate funds to keep HCMC’s doors open. There are many other options that are being considered."
I would like to see a stronger statement of support for state funding of HCMC from Rep. Kraft. He is using a literary trick to distract from the issue at hand (HCMC) and talk about another related but separate issue (single payer universal healthcare).
Join me in holding Rep. Kraft accountable this legislative session. Ask Rep. Kraft what he has done to make healthcare more affordable in Minnesota and how he plans to fund HCMC in the short to medium term. Ask the hard questions and don't stop until you get a satisfactory answer. If his views do not align with yours, look elsewhere for a candidate in 2028.
Yours in service,
Sarah, MPH
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