| Debra Hilstrom | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 46B district |
|
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 2001 |
|
| Preceded by | Phil Carruthers |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 21, 1968 Brooklyn Center, Minnesota |
| Political party | Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party |
| Spouse(s) | Joel |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence | Brooklyn Center, Minnesota |
| Alma mater | University of Minnesota |
| Profession | business owner, legislator |
| Religion | Lutheran |
Debra J. Hilstrom (born June 21, 1968) is a Minnesota politician and a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives representing District 46B, which includes portions of the city of Brooklyn Center in Hennepin County, which is part of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. A Democrat, she is also a local businesswoman.[1]
Hilstrom was first elected in 2000, and has been re-elected every two years since then. Prior to the 2002 legislative redistricting, the area was known as District 47B.[1] She is currently chair of the House Public Safety Policy and Oversight Committee, and is a member of the Civil Justice Committee, the Rules and Legislative Administration Committee, the Taxes Committee and the Ways and Means Committee. She also serves on the Finance Subcommittee for the Public Safety Finance Division and on the Public Safety Policy and Oversight Subcommittee for the Crime Victims/Criminal Records Division.[2] She was chair of the Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs Committee during the 2007-2008 biennium, and served as an assistant minority leader during the 2003-2004 biennium.[1] On November 16, 2010, incoming Minority Leader Paul Thissen announced that she will be Deputy Minority Leader during the 2011-2012 legislative session.[3]
Hillstrom is a life-long resident of her district. She graduated from Park Center Senior High School in Brooklyn Park, then went on to the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, earning her B.A. in Sociology. She is currently a student at William Mitchell College of Law in Saint Paul.[4] She served on the Brooklyn Center Planning Commission and was an advocate for the Brooklyn Center Domestic Abuse Intervention Program. She was a member of the Brooklyn Center City Council from 1995-2000.[2][5]