John Burkel

John Burkel (born April 6, 1967) is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2021.

[1] He attended North Dakota State University for two years to pursue a degree in business and economics but dropped out to work at his family's turkey farm.

He first ran after five-term incumbent Dan Fabian announced he would not seek reelection and encouraged Burkel to run.

[11][12] In response to legislation to limit the movement of farmed deer to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease, he advocated that the state compensate farmers for their financial losses.

[14] Burkel and Representative Deb Kiel introduced bills increasing vocational education for high school students.

President Obama pardons Popcorn the turkey in 2013