Laurie Pryor
Laurie Pryor (Democratic Party) was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing District 49A. She assumed office on January 3, 2023. She left office on January 14, 2025.
Pryor (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives to represent District 49A. She won in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Biography
Laurie Pryor grew up in Austin, Minnesota. Pryor earned a B.A. in English from Carleton College in 1979 and an M.A. in speech communications from the University of Minnesota in 1994.[1][2]
Committee assignments
Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.
2023-2024
Pryor was assigned to the following committees:
- Education Finance Committee
- Education Policy Committee, Chair
- Human Services Finance and Policy Committee
2021-2022
Pryor was assigned to the following committees:
- Rules and Legislative Administration Committee
- Early Childhood Finance and Policy Committee (decommissioned), Vice Chair
- Health Finance and Policy Committee
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Minnesota committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Education Innovation |
| • Higher Education and Career Readiness |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2024
Laurie Pryor did not file to run for re-election.
2022
See also: Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2022
General election
General election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 49A
Incumbent Laurie Pryor defeated Ryan Chase in the general election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 49A on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Laurie Pryor (D) | 63.0 | 14,213 |
 | Ryan Chase (R)  | 36.9 | 8,331 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 16 | ||
| Total votes: 22,560 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Laurie Pryor advanced from the Democratic primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 49A.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Ryan Chase advanced from the Republican primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 49A.
2020
See also: Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election
General election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 48A
Incumbent Laurie Pryor defeated Eric Wessels in the general election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 48A on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Laurie Pryor (D) | 60.9 | 16,348 |
| Eric Wessels (R) | 39.0 | 10,478 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 12 | ||
| Total votes: 26,838 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Laurie Pryor advanced from the Democratic primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 48A.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Eric Wessels advanced from the Republican primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 48A.
Campaign finance
2018
General election
General election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 48A
Incumbent Laurie Pryor defeated Ellen Cousins in the general election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 48A on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Laurie Pryor (D) | 59.4 | 13,980 |
| Ellen Cousins (R) | 40.5 | 9,531 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 27 | ||
| Total votes: 23,538 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 48A
Incumbent Laurie Pryor advanced from the Democratic primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 48A on August 14, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Laurie Pryor |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 48A
Ellen Cousins advanced from the Republican primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 48A on August 14, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | Ellen Cousins | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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2016
Elections for the Minnesota House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 9, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was May 31, 2016. Incumbent Yvonne Selcer (D) did not seek re-election.
Laurie Pryor defeated Mary Shapiro in the Minnesota House of Representatives District 48A general election.[3][4]
| Minnesota House of Representatives, District 48A General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Laurie Pryor |
51.74% | 12,984 | |
| Republican | Mary Shapiro | 48.26% | 12,110 | |
| Total Votes | 25,094 | |||
| Source: Minnesota Secretary of State | ||||
Laurie Pryor ran unopposed in the Minnesota House of Representatives District 48A Democratic primary.[5][6]
| Minnesota House of Representatives, District 48A Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Laurie Pryor (unopposed) | |
Mary Shapiro defeated Kris Newcomer in the Minnesota House of Representatives District 48A Republican primary.[5][6]
| Minnesota House of Representatives, District 48A Republican Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Mary Shapiro |
80.61% | 1,729 | |
| Republican | Kris Newcomer | 19.39% | 416 | |
| Total Votes | 2,145 | |||
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Laurie Pryor did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Laurie Pryor did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Laurie Pryor completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Pryor's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
What would be your top three priorities, if elected? My first priority is maintaining access to quality healthcare for all Minnesotans. I support a healthcare system that puts patients first and not just the bottom line of insurance companies. We should never go back to the time when pre-existing conditions were not covered. Second, I will work to keep our communities safe by passing common sense gun safety laws, by passing legislation to reduce distracted driving, and by fighting the opioid epidemic with education, prevention, and treatments for addiction. Third, I support investing in Minnesota's kids by investing in Minnesota's schools.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I am passionate about education, healthcare, and our public safety. Each of these areas is crucial to our quality of life and economic well being. When my husband and I moved to this area almost thirty years ago, we chose this community because of the excellent schools. When we needed it, high quality medical care was available. We felt safe when we were out and about and something like an active shooter drill in an elementary schools was unimaginable. My family benefited from these opportunities and I am passionate about expanding these opportunities to all and to protecting these opportunities for the next generation. I have six grandchildren who are growing up in Minnesota. It's easy to stay motivated when I think about the future.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
It should go without saying, but in today's politics, unfortunately, it must be stated explicitly: someone elected to office is responsible to be truthful. A second core responsibility is to communicate. As candidates and elected officials we must be able to communicate what values and policies are important to us. And communication is two way. An elected official needs to listen to the values, priorities, and policies of the people that they are representing. Related to listening, is staying educated about the issues of the day and their impacts. Finally, it is a core responsibility to be accountable to the voters. I have worked hard to stay informed and to truthfully communicate how I am representing the people of my district. I have gone door to door listening to my constituents and keeping them informed about my votes. I am grateful for the trust placed in me and would be honored to earn a second term.
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
When I was in the first and second grade, I struggled to learn how to read and write. I remember sitting at my desk with my #2 pencil trying to finish a writing assignment, jealous of the students who had already finished and were enjoying free time. I remember many times not finishing. My desk was stuffed with partially completed work. It was my way of hiding the problem. The learning disability I had went undiagnosed. In my role as a legislator, I am working to help those who struggle in school now. We need to identify problems sooner and address them more effectively. We must do right by every student.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
What process do you favor for redistricting? I favor a process that begins with an independent, nonpartisan commission. The commission would be charged with gathering citizen input, analyzing relevant demographic data, and drawing fair district boundaries. The final product would sent to the legislature and the governor for review and approval.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2016
Pryor's campaign website highlighted the following issues:
| “ |
Thriving schools for all As your voice at the Capitol in St. Paul, I will….
Strong economic opportunities for all As your voice at the Capitol in St. Paul, I will…
A cost-effective health care system As your voice at the Capitol in St. Paul, I’ll…
Modern infrastructure
Affordable ways to care for family members
|
” |
| —Laurie Pryor[8] | ||
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Minnesota scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2024
In 2024, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from February 12 to May 20.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to labor issues.
- Legislators are scored on their support for the organization's principles, which it defines as "provid[ing] a basis for a constitutionally limited government established to sustain life, liberty, justice, property rights and free enterprise."
- Legislators are scored on their votes on labor issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
2023
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
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In 2023, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from January 3 to May 22.
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2022
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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In 2022, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from January 31 to May 23.
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2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from January 5 to May 17.
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2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from February 11 to May 17. Special sessions were convened: June 12 to June 19; July 13 to July 21; August 12; September 11; October 12 to October 15; and November 12.
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2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from January 8 through May 20.
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2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from February 20 through May 21.
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2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from January 3 through May 22. The legislature held a special session from May 23 to May 26.
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See also
2022 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Minnesota House of Representatives District 49A |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Laurie Pryor," accessed March 31, 2023
- ↑ Laurie Pryor 2022 campaign website, "Meet Laurie," accessed March 31, 2023
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Candidate Filing Search," accessed August 25, 2016
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "General election results, 2016," accessed December 19, 2016
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Minnesota Secretary of State, "Candidate Filings," accessed June 3, 2016
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Minnesota Secretary of State, "Minnesota State Primary: Tuesday, August 9, 2016," accessed August 9, 2016
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Laurie Pryor, "Priorities," accessed September 22, 2016
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Heather Edelson (D) |
Minnesota House of Representatives District 49A 2023-2025 |
Succeeded by Alex Falconer (D) |
| Preceded by - |
Minnesota House of Representatives District 48A 2017-2023 |
Succeeded by Jim Nash (R) |
