Photo: house.mn.govMN · Officeholder
RState Representative · District 29A
On the ballot Nov 3, 2026: Minnesota House District 29A
Joe McDonald is a Republican state representative from Minnesota House District 29A who has served since 2011 and is seeking re-election in the November 3, 2026 general election.[1] Ballotpedia lists his professional experience as owning a photography studio.[1]
Joe McDonald earned an A.A. in photography from Hennepin Technical College, a master's degree in photography in 2003, and a craftsman degree in 2008.[1] Ballotpedia says his professional experience includes owning a photography studio.[1]
McDonald assumed office in the Minnesota House in 2011.[1] In the 2025-2026 session he was assigned to the Children and Families Finance and Policy, Elections Finance and Policy, and Legacy Finance committees, and he co-chairs the Legacy Finance Committee.[1] The Republican primary for his seat on August 11, 2026, was canceled.[1]
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.
Joe McDonald is on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot for Minnesota House District 29A as R. Not researched in depth — candidate list only.
Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Republicans voted. How topics are assigned
Most contested
Pet shops prohibition from selling cats and dogs
As amended by the House, appropriates about $191 million from the outdoor heritage fund for fiscal 2027, changes arts and cultural heritage fund grants, revises parks and trails commission and land acquisition rules, and authorizes certain state land conveyances.
May 17, 2026 · Failed 67–67 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Requires the state Office of Grants Management to create a fraud risk rating system for grant recipients, with matching grant management requirements, starting July 1, 2027, and appropriates $71,000 in fiscal 2027 for the work.
May 7, 2026 · Failed 67–67 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Omnibus Health and Human Services supplemental appropriations
On the version voted May 17, 2026: Makes health and children and families supplemental budget changes, including Department of Health, hospital stabilization, health licensing board, medical assistance fraud prevention and child care licensing provisions, plus forecast adjustments and agency appropriations.
May 7, 2026 · Failed 67–67 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
On the version voted May 13, 2026: Requires notice of whether absentee voting starts 46 or 18 days before an election, requires the statewide voter registration system for most absentee voting from September 1, 2027, and bars candidates from wagering on prediction markets about their own election.
May 6, 2026 · Failed 67–67 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Omnibus Public Safety policy bill
On the version voted May 12, 2026: Makes public safety policy changes on data practices, domestic violence, victim rights, impaired driving, identity theft and corrections; makes running a prediction market as a business a felony; bars selling law enforcement vehicles with police equipment or insignia to the public.
Apr 30, 2026 · Failed 67–67 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Lets a voter who has received a ballot briefly leave the polling place for a demonstrated need and return to vote, at the head election judge's discretion; the original ballot is spoiled and a new one issued.
Apr 27, 2026 · Failed 67–67 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Omnibus Health and Human Services supplemental appropriations
On the version voted May 17, 2026: Makes health and children and families supplemental budget changes, including Department of Health, hospital stabilization, health licensing board, medical assistance fraud prevention and child care licensing provisions, plus forecast adjustments and agency appropriations.
May 7, 2026 · Failed 67–67 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
On the version voted May 19, 2025: Changes human services policy on aging and disability services, Department of Health programs, state-run treatment services, behavioral health, and the Department of Human Services inspector general, and reorganizes laws on intensive mental health treatment services.
May 18, 2025 · Failed 67–67 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Health and human services finance bill.
On the version voted May 14, 2025: Sets fiscal 2026–27 funding for the Departments of Human Services, Health, and Children, Youth, and Families, and changes health, health licensing board, pharmacy benefit, health care, behavioral health, program integrity, economic support, child protection, and child care and early learning policies.
May 12, 2025 · Failed 67–67 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
On the version voted May 15, 2026: Requires social media platforms with 10,000 or more account holders or $1 billion in revenue to get verifiable parental consent for accounts of children 15 and under, bars addictive features and targeted ads on them, and allows private lawsuits and attorney general enforcement.
May 12, 2026 · Failed 67–67 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Higher education finance and policy bill.
On the version voted May 16, 2026: Makes higher education changes, including paid blood-donation leave for MnState employees, a ban on mandatory MnState student fees for athletic facilities not open to all students, written explanations before developmental courses, and supplemental appropriations.
May 4, 2026 · Failed 67–67 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Omnibus Education policy provisions
Makes policy changes for kindergarten through grade 12 education, covering general education, academic programs, charter schools, special education, school health and nutrition, and the duties of state education agencies.
May 16, 2025 · Failed 67–67 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Housing finance and policy bill.
On the version voted May 13, 2026: Appropriates $25 million to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency from its investment earnings, authorizes $100 million in housing infrastructure bonds, and returns tax-forfeited land settlement money to the general fund and appropriates it for family homeless prevention.
May 4, 2026 · Failed 67–67 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Common interest communities provisions modifications
On the version voted May 6, 2026: Changes rules for homeowners and condominium associations: caps late fees at the greater of $20 or 5%, generally caps fines at $100 per violation, gives owners hearing rights, limits foreclosures over fines, and bars local governments from requiring associations for new housing.
Apr 30, 2026 · Failed 67–67 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Copy of the landlord-tenant guide required at issuance or renewal of rental license.
Requires cities and towns that issue or renew a rental license or similar document to give the landlord a physical copy of the attorney general's landlord-tenant guide, or a link to it if issued electronically.
Apr 7, 2025 · Passed 91–39 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Pet shops prohibition from selling cats and dogs
As amended by the House, appropriates about $191 million from the outdoor heritage fund for fiscal 2027, changes arts and cultural heritage fund grants, revises parks and trails commission and land acquisition rules, and authorizes certain state land conveyances.
May 17, 2026 · Failed 67–67 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Omnibus Environment and Natural Resources appropriations
Funds state environment and natural resources programs for fiscal 2026 and 2027, including environment trust fund projects, and changes game and fish rules, PFAS product restrictions, abandoned watercraft and grant programs, authorizes certain state land sales, and revises environmental permitting.
Jun 9, 2025 · Failed 41–87 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Omnibus Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate policy and appropriations
Appropriates and transfers money for energy programs, makes changes to energy policy, and allows natural gas utilities to sell extraordinary event bonds under certain circumstances.
Jun 9, 2025 · Passed 90–41 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
On the version voted May 15, 2026: Requires social media platforms with 10,000 or more account holders or $1 billion in revenue to get verifiable parental consent for accounts of children 15 and under, bars addictive features and targeted ads on them, and allows private lawsuits and attorney general enforcement.
May 12, 2026 · Failed 67–67 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Nudification technology access prohibited.
On the version voted Apr 29, 2026: Bars owners of websites and apps from letting users nudify images or videos of identifiable people, or doing so for them, unless the service requires user technical skill; bans advertising such services; lets depicted people sue; allows attorney general penalties up to $500,000 per violation.
Apr 23, 2026 · Failed 67–67 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Data classification of certain data maintained by the attorney general clarified.
As introduced, specifies that the categories of Attorney General office data classified as private, such as disciplinary proceeding records and consumer complaints, apply to data on individuals.
Feb 20, 2025 · Failed 66–66 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Temporary moratorium on certain light rail transit expenditures established.
Temporarily bars the Metropolitan Council from spending on light rail project development, except the Southwest line and payments for prior work, and, as amended on the floor, requires a bus rapid transit study of the Blue Line extension corridor with a report by January 15, 2026.
Feb 24, 2025 · Passed 67–66 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
May 11, 2026 · Passed 106–27 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Display of dynamic electronic content while operating a motor vehicle limitations modified.
Mar 23, 2026 · Passed 111–23 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Most contested
Omnibus Veterans policy and appropriations
On the version voted May 17, 2025: Sets fiscal 2026–27 funding for the Department of Military Affairs and Department of Veterans Affairs, changes veterans services and benefits, provides benefits to veterans of the Secret War in Laos, and orders a Capitol plaque honoring Gold Star and Blue Star families.
Apr 29, 2025 · Failed 67–67 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗
Voted against most of their party on 4 of 205 party-divided votes on file.
Various agency forecast adjustments
What it does: Adjusts fiscal year 2026 and 2027 education, human services and Metro Mobility appropriations to match the February 2026 forecast, and changes K-12 programs, including new aid for Tribal contract schools and extended…
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 67–0, Republicans 27–37
May 16, 2026Official record ↗
Common interest communities provisions modifications
What it does: On the version voted May 6, 2026: Changes rules for homeowners and condominium associations: caps late fees at the greater of $20 or 5%, generally caps fines at $100 per violation, gives owners hearing rights, limits…
Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 13–54, Republicans 34–32
Apr 30, 2026Official record ↗
Joint Committee on Library of Congress of United States Congress requested to approve replacement of statue of Henry Mower Rice now on display in National Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol, and memorial resolution proposed.
What it does: Asks the Joint Committee on the Library of Congress to approve replacing Minnesota's statue of Henry Mower Rice in the U.S. Capitol with one of Hubert H. Humphrey, with the Rice statue going to Rice County.
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 67–0, Republicans 18–44
May 13, 2025Official record ↗
Elections; various changes made related to election administration, absentee voting provisions modified, timelines modified, elected officials and candidates prohibited from betting on elections, technical and clarifying changes made, and money appropriated.
What it does: On the version voted May 13, 2026: Requires notice of whether absentee voting starts 46 or 18 days before an election, requires the statewide voter registration system for most absentee voting from September 1, 2027,…
Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 67–0, Republicans 24–42
May 6, 2026Official record ↗
The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank
Pet shops prohibition from selling cats and dogs
With most of their party · Failed 67–67 · Yes 67–No 67 · Democrats 0–67, Republicans 67–0
May 17, 2026Official record ↗
With most of their party · Failed 67–67 · Yes 67–No 67 · Democrats 67–0, Republicans 0–67
May 12, 2026Official record ↗
With most of their party · Failed 67–67 · Yes 67–No 67 · Democrats 67–0, Republicans 0–67
May 7, 2026Official record ↗
Omnibus Health and Human Services supplemental appropriations
With most of their party · Failed 67–67 · Yes 67–No 67 · Democrats 0–67, Republicans 67–0
May 7, 2026Official record ↗
With most of their party · Failed 67–67 · Yes 67–No 67 · Democrats 0–67, Republicans 67–0
May 6, 2026Official record ↗
Housing finance and policy bill.
With most of their party · Failed 67–67 · Yes 67–No 67 · Democrats 0–67, Republicans 67–0
May 4, 2026Official record ↗
With most of their party · Failed 66–66 · Yes 66–No 66 · Democrats 0–66, Republicans 66–0
May 4, 2026Official record ↗
Employment and economic development finance and policy bill.
With most of their party · Failed 67–67 · Yes 67–No 67 · Democrats 0–67, Republicans 67–0
May 4, 2026Official record ↗
Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.
Motion: Passage, as amended (Calendar for the day)
Authorizes state bond sales and capital spending on public land and buildings, including $1 million for safe routes to school grants, authorizes conveyance of bond-financed property, and provides a temporary reduction in vehicle registration tax for 2027.
Motion: Niska Motion Suspension of Rules (Motions and resolutions)
Proposes a state constitutional amendment, for the 2026 ballot, limiting a person to being elected governor no more than twice and lieutenant governor no more than twice, counting terms from the 2026 election.
Motion: Niska motion Take from the table (Motions and resolutions)
Corrects the wording of the Minnesota income tax law on the credit for pass-through entity tax paid to another state, changing references from "section" to "subdivision" so the credit's expiration applies to that subdivision.
Motion: Passage, as amended (Calendar for the day)
Motion: Repassage, as amended by Conference (Conference committee report)
Conforms Minnesota's income tax to most changes in federal Public Law 119-21, with exceptions such as a 1% floor on charitable deductions, and makes other state and local tax changes.
Motion: Amendment (Calendar for the day) Amendment H2484A2 Scott
Appropriates general fund money in fiscal year 2027 for capital improvements to land and buildings, establishes new programs and modifies existing ones, and modifies and cancels prior appropriations.
Motion: Passage (Calendar for the day)
Appropriates general fund money in fiscal year 2027 for capital improvements to land and buildings, establishes new programs and modifies existing ones, and modifies and cancels prior appropriations.
Motion: Repassage, as amended by the Senate (Consideration of message from the senate)
On the version voted May 16, 2026: Makes supplemental state government appropriations, including more money for the new Office of Inspector General and grants to public television and radio stations, along with state government policy changes.
Motion: Long motion Suspension of Rules (Motions and resolutions)
As introduced, bars civil immigration arrests of parties, witnesses and companions at court proceedings, bars health care facility staff from admitting immigration agents without a judicial warrant, limits school disclosure of student immigration data, and creates a civil cause of action for constitutional violations.
Motion: Amendment (Calendar for the day) Amendment S1943A3 Schultz
As amended by the House, appropriates about $191 million from the outdoor heritage fund for fiscal 2027, changes arts and cultural heritage fund grants, revises parks and trails commission and land acquisition rules, and authorizes certain state land conveyances.
Showing 10 of 336 votes in this collection. Coverage may be incomplete; each entry links to the official record.