John Persell

Who is John Persell?

John Sterling Persell, Jr. is a Minnesota politician and member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, he represents District 5A, which includes portions of Beltrami, Cass and Itasca counties in the northern part of the state. He is also a retired water quality specialist and environmental policy analyst for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.

Persell was elected in 2008, running after two-term Representative Frank Moe opted not to seek reelection. He was reelected in 2010 and 2012.

Persell majored in Biology at Bemidji State University in Bemidji, and served in the United States Air Force. He was a member of the Beltrami County Soil and Water Conservation Board, and of the Frohn Township Board of Supervisors. Persell is a member of the American Legion Honor Guard, and has worked as a mentor in the STEM Program at Leech Lake Tribal College in Cass Lake.

Persell voted for same-sex marriage in Minnesota.