KRIS BABLER
Independent candidate for Minnesota State Senate, District 49 — Eden Prairie and Minnetonka. A former Army captain, small-business owner and educator running to be the senator neither caucus owns.
Service Record
The Case for Independence
“I am not beholden to party bosses, caucus whips, or special-interest SuperPACs. My focus is strictly on protecting suburban family budgets, restoring integrity to state agency spending, defending local community control, and ensuring our elections are transparent, competitive, and truly representative.”
In His Words
“Unbound by party lines, I will bring both caucuses to the table to focus on pragmatic solutions for Eden Prairie and Minnetonka rather than partisan culture wars.”
Where He Stands
Priorities for St. Paul
Independent Fiscal Watchdog
Independent forensic audits across state agencies, an end to wasteful consultant markups, and no new regressive sales taxes on suburban families and seniors on fixed incomes.
Local Control
Roll back one-size-fits-all mandates from St. Paul, restore authority to classroom teachers, fully resource local police and fire, and protect SouthWest Transit’s local opt-out model.
Pro-Growth Realism
More housing supply for a state short roughly 100,000 homes — a shortage that freezes out young buyers and traps seniors.
The Race
Minnesota’s Senate is split 34 to 33 — one seat is the entire majority. District 49 has no incumbent on the ballot this year.
Kris has spent nearly two decades as a teacher, coach and administrator at the K-12 and college levels, served as an Army officer, and built and ran his own business. He is running as an independent so the district has a senator who answers to it, not to a caucus.