Cole Birkeland

Cole Birkeland is the Democratic candidate for Minnesota House of Representatives District 41A in the November 3, 2026 general election, challenging Republican incumbent Wayne Johnson; the Democratic primary was canceled.[1] An attorney, he says he previously worked as a city attorney for local governments in the Twin Cities area.[2]

Cole Birkeland earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Northwestern, St. Paul and a law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School, according to Ballotpedia.[1] In a Ballotpedia survey, he said he currently works as an attorney representing people to protect their retirement savings and civil rights, and that he previously worked as a city attorney with local governments across the Twin Cities metro area.[2] He said he coordinates service projects as director of community service for the Lake Elmo Rotary Club, co-authored a report about improving emergency medical services in Minnesota, and lectures students about the Constitution and civic responsibility.[2]

Birkeland's survey named rising costs, accountability and oversight in government, and building bridges across the aisle among his campaign's key messages.[2] He wrote that he supports more severe penalties for fraud and a full audit of state government programs.[2]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.