Fue Lee

Fue Lee (born August 26, 1991) is a Hmong-American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2016. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Lee represents district 59A, which includes parts of northern Minneapolis in Hennepin County.^[1][2]

Fue Lee
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 59A district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2017
Preceded by	Joe Mullery
Personal details
Born	(1991-08-26) August 26, 1991 (age 33) Thailand
Political party	Democratic (DFL)
Residence(s)	Minneapolis, Minnesota
Education	Carleton College (B.A.)
Occupation	Legislator
Website	Government website Campaign website

Early life, education, and career

Lee was born in a refugee camp in Thailand to Hmong parents from Laos, and came to Minnesota as a toddler in 1992, living in public housing with his parents and siblings.^[3] He graduated from Camden High School in Minneapolis, Minnesota.^[4]

Lee graduated from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, with a bachelor's degree in political science and international relations. He was an intern or volunteer for Minneapolis City Council Member Blong Yang, then-U.S. Representative Keith Ellison, and Steve Simon, later becoming an aide in the office of the Minnesota Secretary of State.^[1][3][5][6]

Lee co-founded the Asian American Organizing Project and Progressive Hmong American Organizers with former state Senator Mee Moua, DFL activist Yee Chang, and state representative Jay Xiong.^[7]

Minnesota House of Representatives

Lee was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2016 and has been reelected every two years since. He defeated 10-term incumbent Joe Mullery in a DFL primary after losing the party endorsement by one delegate.^[8][6] Lee is the first person of color and of Asian descent to represent his district, and was the first Hmong-American to represent Minneapolis in the state legislature.^[3][9] In 2018, he was an early endorser of Ilhan Omar for Minnesota's 5th congressional district.^[10]

Lee has served as chair of the Capital Investment Committee since 2021. He also sits on the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy and Legacy Finance Committees. From 2019 to 2020, he served as vice chair of the Capital Investment Committee and as an assistant majority leader for the House DFL Caucus.^[1] Lee is a member of the People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus and the Minnesota Asian-Pacific (MAP) Caucus.^[11][12][13]

Infrastructure and capital investment

As chair of the Capital Investment Committee, Lee worked with Senator Tom Bakk on a $518 million public works package in 2021, highlighting investments into housing infrastructure and small business redevelopment after civil unrest and protests following the murder of George Floyd.^[14][15] He authored subsequent legislation that would fund $1 billion in infrastructure projects across the state, which was opposed by House Republicans and Senator Bakk.^[16][17]

In 2022, Lee supported a $3.5 billion package, investing in local projects, housing, and focusing on marginalized communities throughout the state.^[18] In both 2021 and 2022, the proposals, which require a three-fifths majority to approve the sale of bonds, failed to pass.^[19][20]

Lee worked with Senator Sandy Pappas in 2023 to move forward both cash and bonding infrastructure bills prioritizing racial equity and addressing the climate and housing crises.^[21][22] Lee proposed building on previous years' plans and spending $2 billion in cash spending and an additional $2.2 billion in borrowing via bonds.^[23] In March 2023, the House passed a $1.9 billion deal that received bipartisan support to reach the three-fifths majority threshold, though the Senate failed to do the same with all Republicans voting against the bill.^[24][25][26]

He has authored legislation to partially fund the Upper Harbor Terminal, a city amphitheater proposal located in his district.^[27][28]

Public safety and criminal justice reform

Lee signed on to a letter by U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar asking the Department of Justice to expand its investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department following the murder of George Floyd.^[29] He co-sponsored a bill creating a commission to review how local government, police, and military responded to George Floyd protests in Minneapolis and St. Paul, including aid to community organizations in the area.^[30][31]

Lee supported voting "yes" on City Question 2, which would have renamed the Minneapolis Police Department the Minneapolis Department of Public Safety, removed minimum staffing levels for sworn officers, and shifted oversight of the new agency from the mayor’s office to the city council.^[32][33]

Environment and natural resources

Lee joined environmental advocates in pushing for the closing of a metal shredder in North Minneapolis after a stockpile caught fire.^[34] He wrote legislation that would require regulators to consider the cumulative exposure of pollutants before issuing permits to industries in environmental justice areas, and require the Pollution Control Agency to hold public hearings to solicit community feedback on facilities impacts.^[35][36] The bill was included in a larger 2022 environmental bill, but faced opposition from Senate Republicans.^[37] Lee introduced the legislation again in 2023, but the provisions were scaled back to only include the seven-county metro and other large cities in 2023 due to opposition from rural DFL members.^[38]

Lee has authored legislation to help Metro Transit buy electric busses and require them to transition to zero emissions.^[39][40] He has advocated for the Department of Natural Resources to do more outreach to hunters in the Twin Cities metropolitan area and to people of color, women and younger generations.^[41] He co-sponsored legislation to abolish commercial turtle harvesting in the state.^[42]

Other political positions

Lee co-authored legislation to increase funding for efforts to ensure every Minnesotan was counted in the 2020 census, and wrote a bill to require property managers to give census workers access to multi-unit buildings.^[43][44] He co-sponsored legislation to increase funding for school support services in Minneapolis public schools.^[45]

Lee signed on to a statement opposing President Donald Trump's proposal to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy.^[46] In 2019, he signed a letter of support for Representative Ilhan Omar after she was accused of making antisemitic comments.^[47]

Electoral history

2016 DFL primary for Minnesota State House - District 59A^[48]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Fue Lee	1,584	55.52
	Democratic (DFL)	Joe Mullery (incumbent)	1,268	44.48
Total votes			2,852	100.00

2016 Minnesota State House - District 59A^[49]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Fue Lee	12,585	80.62
	Republican	Jessica Newville	2,903	18.60
	Write-in		123	0.79
Total votes			15,611	100.00
	Democratic (DFL) hold

2018 Minnesota State House - District 59A^[50]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Fue Lee (incumbent)	12,046	86.04
	Republican	Fred Statema	1,916	13.69
	Write-in		38	0.27
Total votes			14,000	100.00
	Democratic (DFL) hold

2020 Minnesota State House - District 59A^[51]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Fue Lee (incumbent)	12,409	74.87
	Grassroots—LC	Marcus Harcus	4,054	24.46
	Write-in		110	0.66
Total votes			16,573	100.00
	Democratic (DFL) hold

2022 Minnesota State House - District 59A^[52]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic (DFL)	Fue Lee (incumbent)	8,960	98.10
	Write-in		174	1.90
Total votes			9,134	100.00
	Democratic (DFL) hold

Personal life

Lee lives in the Northside neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota.^[1][53] In September 2020, Lee was diagnosed with COVID, as were many members of his family. Lee spoke publicly about his families experience and spoke in favor of comprehensive, state-led efforts to contain the virus.^[53]

References

1. "Lee, Fue - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present". www.lrl.mn.gov. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
2. "Rep. Fue Lee (59A) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.mn.gov. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
3. Tevlin, Jon (November 8, 2016). "Jon Tevlin: From Rep.-elect Fue Lee, a lesson in what democracy looks like". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
4. Yuen, Laura (October 26, 2018). "New influx of Hmong-American legislators appears likely". MPR News. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
5. Star Tribune Editorial Board (August 3, 2016). "EDITORIAL | Primary election endorsements: Mohamud Noor over Phyllis Kahn and Ilhan Omar in 60B; Joe Mullery over Fue Lee in 59A". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
6. Hirsi, Ibrahim (August 23, 2016). "What Fue Lee's victory says about the political power of Hmong-Americans in Minneapolis". MinnPost. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
7. Tevlin, Jon (November 8, 2016). "From Rep.-elect Fue Lee, a lesson in what democracy looks like". Minneapolis Star Tribune. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
8. Coolican, J. Patrick; Klecker, Mara (August 10, 2016). "Ilhan Omar makes history with victory over long-serving Rep. Phyllis Kahn". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
9. Rupar, Aaron (August 11, 2016). "From Refugee Camps To The Statehouse: Two Groundbreaking Primary Victories In Minnesota". ThinkProgress. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
10. Brodey, Sam (June 8, 2018). "The messy primary to replace Rep. Keith Ellison will center on who represents the future of the DFL". MinnPost. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
11. Multiple authors (May 19, 2022). "OPINION EXCHANGE | Find room in the budget deal for communities of color". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
12. Keen, Judy (December 22, 2018). "New Asian caucus hopes to exert its clout in the Legislature". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
13. HoangLong, Samantha (January 25, 2019). "Minnesota Asian Pacific Caucus: Hmong legislators are setting a broad agenda". MinnPost. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
14. Van Berkel, Jessie (February 22, 2021). "Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz pitches roughly $500 million public works infrastructure package". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
15. Lopez, Ricardo (March 4, 2021). "DFL legislators call for GOP support to rebuild Minneapolis, St. Paul businesses damaged by civil unrest". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
16. Van Berkel, Jessie; Woodall, Hunter (April 14, 2021). "Lawmakers clash over infrastructure funding in Minnesota, Washington". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
17. Van Berkel, Jessie (May 15, 2021). "Minnesota legislators split over construction funding bill as session draws to a close". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
18. Van Berkel, Jessie (January 18, 2022). "Walz proposes $2.7 billion infrastructure package". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
19. McKinney, Matt (January 7, 2023). "Cities, counties make plea for slice of big state surplus". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
20. Orenstein, Walker (July 28, 2022). "Capitol watchers 'befuddled' by rare bonding bill stall under legislative dealmaker Tom Bakk". MinnPost. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
21. Van Berkel, Jessie (January 18, 2023). "Minnesota leaders aim for fast action on infrastructure". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
22. Ferguson, Dana (December 12, 2022). "A bonding bill? Here's what you need to know". MPR News. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
23. Van Berkel, Jessie (January 26, 2023). "Minnesota needs more than $3 billion for aging infrastructure, Gov. Walz says". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
24. Van Berkel, Jessie (March 5, 2023). "Can Minnesota leaders pass an early $1.9B infrastructure package?". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
25. Ferguson, Dana (March 6, 2023). "Minnesota House passes $1.9 billion bonding package, path forward is unclear". MPR News. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
26. Mewes, Trey (April 3, 2023). "Communities across Minnesota beg lawmakers to fund infrastructure this spring". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
27. Otárola, Miguel (January 26, 2020). "Next step for Upper Harbor Terminal: Securing $20M from state for massive amphitheater". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
28. O'Keefe, Kenzie (February 19, 2020). "Upper Harbor Terminal: Can Minneapolis invest in its north side without pushing people out of their neighborhoods?". MPR News. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
29. Montemayor, Stephen (June 8, 2021). "Rep. Ilhan Omar leads call for DOJ to expand Minnesota federal policing probe". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
30. St. Anthony, Neal (March 7, 2021). "Businesses damaged in riots after death of George Floyd still fighting for assistance". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
31. Lee, Fue; Noor, Mohamud (March 17, 2021). "OPINION EXCHANGE | Small businesses in Minneapolis, St. Paul deserve state aid, too". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
32. Multiple authors (October 25, 2021). "OPINION EXCHANGE | Minneapolis legislators: Vote yes on City Question 2 to expand public safety". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
33. Navratil, Liz; Mahamud, Faiza (October 1, 2021). "What you need to know about the Minneapolis charter amendments". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
34. Du, Susan (May 24, 2021). "Growing calls to shut down Minneapolis junkyard after fire last month". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
35. Marohn, Kristi (May 10, 2021). "After scrap metal fire, renewed calls to protect north Mpls. residents from toxic air". MPR News. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
36. Yalamanchili, Dheera (May 18, 2022). "The burden of Minnesota's air pollution is unequal | Opinion". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
37. Gringauz, Lev (April 13, 2022). "Even after years of improving air quality, pollution remains a problem in some Minnesota communities". MinnPost. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
38. Orenstein, Walker (April 20, 2023). "Minnesota DFL's watered down environmental bill passes after intra-party split". MinnPost. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
39. Orenstein, Walker (March 4, 2021). "Electric vehicles are coming to Minnesota. Republicans and Democrats have very different ideas on how state government should respond". MinnPost. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
40. Pan, H. Jiahong (August 31, 2021). "Reliability problems stall transition to electric buses". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
41. Kennedy, Tony (April 10, 2018). "DNR adds deer plan meetings in metro area". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
42. Kennedy, Tony (June 10, 2019). "Commercial turtle harvesting in Minnesota remains a worry for some". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
43. Keen, Judy (April 1, 2019). "Effort to ensure full 2020 census count begins". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
44. Kraker, Dan (March 13, 2020). "Census 2020: Minn. cities move to make sure renters get counted". MPR News. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
45. Hinrichs, Erin (May 24, 2018). "Minnesota school funding: What just happened?". MinnPost. Retrieved April 22, 2023.
46. Golden, Erin (September 2, 2017). "Minnesota lawmakers' group pushes back on threats to DACA". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
47. Associated Press (March 5, 2019). "Some MN elected officials express support for Omar". MPR News. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
48. "2016 Results for State Representative District 59A Primary". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
49. "2016 Results for State Representative District 59A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
50. "2018 Results for State Representative District 59A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
51. "2020 Results for State Representative District 59A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
52. "2022 Results for State Representative District 59A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
53. Van Oot, Torey (September 20, 2020). "DFL legislator's family confronts COVID-19's spread". Star Tribune. Retrieved April 21, 2023.

External links

• Fue Lee at Minnesota Legislators Past & Present
• Official House of Representatives website
• Official campaign website