2026 MN Senate District 17 Candidate
DFL

“I want to be a voice for the people over the party, vote in their best interest and improve our daily lives. The government needs to be: of the people, by the people, for the people.”

— Julie Kelzer —

Name: Julie Kelzer
Website: https://www.juliekelzer4mnsenate.com/
Email address: bcontact@juliekelzer4mnsenate.com
City of residence: Norwood Young America

Professional and volunteer background: 

I have been in customer service since 14. I honed in on those skills working in salons; effective communication, fast-paced problem solving, and precise technical skills under pressure are essential. Successful management required integrity, sharp problem-solving and conflict resolution skills, being accountable for my decisions and holding others accountable for theirs. Collaboration, compromise and teamwork are necessary to keep the business running smoothly. Currently, I‘m a self-employed small residential home cleaner; this takes dedication, attention to detail and maintaining satisfaction with my clients. I am responsible for my own success.

Why did you decide to run for a seat in the Minnesota Senate: 

People deserve a choice. Our children and grandchildren’s futures matter: policies made now will affect generations to come. For too long, representatives have voted in the best interests of large businesses and corporations. Raising taxes isn’t a solution. Small businesses and locally owned farms are going out of business at an alarming rate. People are struggling to survive with costs continuing to rise. I want to be a voice for the people over the party, vote in their best interest and improve our daily lives. The government needs to be: of the people, by the people, for the people.

What makes you the best candidate in this race: 

I’m living the struggles that government policies have created on an income less than lower middle class. I live on a tight budget and have to make tough decisions daily. There’s no money left to save anymore. Our Legislature needs to do the same with our tax money and invest it back into communities. Witnessing the differences in education now versus a decade ago with an 11-year age gap between my children; the schools are having to do more with less. Compromising and changing beliefs based on others perspectives to accommodate everyone has been ongoing throughout my working career.

What would be your top 3 priorities if elected to the Legislature: 

• Updating our state software systems so that fraud detection can be integrated into them. Humans can’t catch everything. Our dollars need to go where they are intended.
• Reforming paid leave, hourly support staff unemployment, and the universal meal program. Schools and small businesses are paying the price for these mandates without a means to fund them.
• Requiring landlords to report rent payments to credit bureaus. Credit scores drive everything in today’s world. More people will qualify for the first-time homebuyers program, it will also lower interest rates on loans, and reduce car and homeowners/renter’s insurance rates.

If you were elected and could be guaranteed approval on one legislative bill in the upcoming session, what would that one bill address: 

Corporations paying their fair share in taxes. The people can’t continue to afford tax increases. Wages and social security are not increasing at the pace of inflation, yet corporate profits are. This will require candidates being elected who want to achieve this for the people. New blood and fresh minds in the Legislature are needed for people’s daily lives to be better. Alleviating the current day to day struggles of affording to live will increase quality of life. Our newest generation that is entering the workforce deserves a chance to be able to afford homes and succeed in life.

What has been the biggest failure attributed to legislative action or inaction in recent years: 

Failure of representation for the people they were elected to represent. Every year there is less bipartisanship, and a lack of desire to walk across the aisle and work with the other party to create legislation that is beneficial for we the people. Fraud bills, besides HF 2, weren’t introduced as stand-alone bills, therefore they ended up failing.

Minnesotans deserve confidence that the government is responsible, transparent and accountable with taxpayer dollars. Some things that have been passed, without the funding in place, are having the consequences appear. We are seeing it in schools and with small businesses.

What are your thoughts on the current level of taxation in Minnesota: 

I know that I cannot afford any more tax increases, nor can the people I have spoken with when knocking doors. The system needs to tax large businesses and corporations so they pay their fair share, while still having large profits margins. I am happy about the unanimous House vote to place the amendment of our Minnesota Constitution to allow more funding to go to schools from the permanent education fund — without raising our taxes — on our November ballot. The Senate didn’t go as well, I would have voted yes to allow the people to choose what they want.

With so much attention focused on national issues, how will you engage the community to increase awareness of local issues: 

State and local governments are very important. They have a big impact on our daily lives and our children’s futures. Through social media, newspapers and advertising as Nov. 3 approaches is the best way to bring awareness as to what is happening statewide and locally. I’ve been participating in town halls the congressional candidates have been holding, which has given me the opportunity to bring up the issues controlled by our Legislature and talk with the people to hear their perspective and thoughts on issues. Door knocking and event booths have been very beneficial in connecting with the community.