Jim Abeler

Jim Abeler
Member of the Minnesota Senate
from the 35th district
Assumed office
February 22, 2016
Preceded by Branden Petersen
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 35A district
49A (1999–2003), 48B (2003–2013)
In office
January 5, 1999 – January 5, 2015
Preceded by Charlie Weaver
Succeeded by Abigail Whelan
Personal details
Born (1954-05-18) May 18, 1954
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Political party Republican Party of Minnesota
Spouse(s) Barb
Children 6
Residence Anoka, Minnesota
Alma mater University of Minnesota
Hamline University
Northwestern College of Chiropractic
Occupation chiropractor
Religion Baptist

James J. "Jim" Abeler II (born May 18, 1954) is a Minnesota politician and member of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, he represents District 35 in the northern Twin Cities metropolitan area. He formerly represented District 35A in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Early life and education

Abeler was born in Minneapolis. He graduated from Anoka High School in Anoka, then attended the University of Minnesota and Hamline University in Saint Paul. He earned his D.C. from Northwestern College of Chiropractic in Bloomington in 1979. In the late 1990s, he founded PACT Charter School in Anoka. He held the lease on the building that the school was renting. He utilized the students for janitorial labor. At one time, a group of students was directed to clean up a local dump site that happened to be located on the property. Some of the refuse included used cat litter. There was also an uncapped well that was disguised by placing an empty milk bucket over it. There were often silver fish near the students' lockers and places in the building lacked proper insulation. He also utilized his position on the board to protect his children from deserved discipline. A student placed laxatives in the soda at a school dance. Before the student's identity was revealed, James Abeler strongly advocated for severe punishment of the student. It was later revealed that his son Jamie was the perpetrator. The executive director of the school was then dismissed because he was the only board member that advocated properly punishing Jamie, and not pulling strings because he was the son of the founder. [1]

Minnesota Legislature

Abeler was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1998 and was re-elected every two years since then until retiring in 2014. Prior to the 2002 legislative redistricting, he represented the old District 49A. He served as chair of the Health Policy and Finance Subcommittee for the Health Care Cost Containment Division during the 2005 to 2006 biennium.[1]

He was elected to the Minnesota Senate in a special election on February 9, 2016 and assumed office on February 22, 2016.[1]

2014 U.S. Senate campaign

Abeler was a candidate of the 2014 U.S. Senate election in Minnesota.[2] He lost the Republican nomination to Mike McFadden.

Personal life

Abeler is married to Barb and together they have six children: Jamie, Jesse, Jordan, Josiah (died in 2011), Jude, and Judson. He is a Baptist and a chiropractor.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Abeler, Jim". Legislators Past & Present. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  2. ↑ Pugmire, Tim and Tom Scheck (June 18, 2013). "State Rep. Abeler running for US Senate". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
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