John Sterling Persell, Jr. (born 1950) is an American DFL politician who represented District 5A in northern Minnesota, first winning election in 2008.

Persell is a member of the American Legion Honor Guard, and has worked as a mentor in the STEM Program (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) at Leech Lake Tribal College in Cass Lake.

[1][2] He is also a retired water quality specialist and environmental policy analyst for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.

[3] Persell was elected in 2008, running after two-term Representative Frank Moe opted not to seek reelection.

[5] He was chosen to lead the Environment and Natural Resources Policy Committee.