Michael Howard
Democratic-Farmer-Labor · MN · Minnesota State Representative, District 51A
Richfield representative who works in public relations and holds a political science degree from Augsburg College. First elected in 2018 and now in his fourth term, he co-chairs the Housing Finance and Policy Committee.
Where Michael Howard stands, based on their records
Supports
Healthcare Affordability (2 records), Environment and Public Health (1 record), Labor Rights (2 records),
Opposes
Government Spending Reduction (4 records)
Track record
Track record — Healthcare Affordability
Healthcare Affordability · 2 support
Won House passage of his plan to cap co-pays for drugs that treat chronic illnesses like diabetes and asthma at $25 a month. It was part of the Commerce budget bill.
May 17, 2023Supports Healthcare Affordability
Source: house.mn.gov
Led the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act through the House. It passed 111-22. It lets people in an insulin emergency get a 30-day supply for a $35 co-pay, with drug makers helping pay.
April 14, 2020Supports Healthcare Affordability
Source: house.mn.gov
Track record — Environment and Public Health
Environment and Public Health · 1 support
Voted for House File 7, which changed the state's renewable energy rules for electric utilities. The House passed it 70-60.
January 26, 2023Supports Environment and Public Health
Source: house.mn.gov
Track record — Labor Rights
Labor Rights · 2 support
Held a press conference pushing a bill against worker abuse on publicly funded affordable housing projects. The bill (House File 4569) called for prevailing wages and responsible contractors.
March 7, 2024Supports Labor Rights
Source: house.mn.gov
Voted for House File 2, which created a paid family and medical leave insurance program for workers. The House passed it 68-64.
May 2, 2023Supports Labor Rights
Source: house.mn.gov
Track record — Immigration
Immigration · 1 support
Voted against House File 1, which ended MinnesotaCare health coverage for adults living in the country without legal permission. The Minnesota House passed it 68-65, and it became law.
June 9, 2025Supports Immigration
Source: legiscan.com
Track record — Government Spending Reduction
Government Spending Reduction · 4 oppose
Authored a $165 million housing bill (House File 1141) that passed the House and Senate. It included $40 million in emergency rent help and $100 million in housing bonds.
May 13, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: house.mn.gov
Co-authored the House housing budget bill with a Republican co-chair. It put over $31 million into emergency rent help and $100 million in housing bonds. The House passed it 106-25.
April 29, 2025Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: house.mn.gov
As House Housing Committee chair, carried the final $1 billion state housing budget (House File 2335). It created state rental vouchers for low-income families. The House passed it 70-61.
May 8, 2023Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: house.mn.gov
Authored House File 1440, which gave $50 million in emergency rent help to families at risk of losing their homes. The House passed it 73-50.
March 16, 2023Opposes Government Spending Reduction
Source: house.mn.gov
Track record — Public Safety and Crime Control
Public Safety and Crime Control · 2 support
Joined other Minneapolis lawmakers in a statement criticizing the U.S. Justice Department for moving to drop a police reform agreement with Minneapolis.
May 21, 2025Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: house.mn.gov
Voted for Senate File 2200, which keeps what people say in a restorative justice meeting out of court. The Minnesota House passed it 98-36, and it became law.
May 12, 2025Supports Public Safety and Crime Control
Source: legiscan.com
Track record — Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties
Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties · 1 support
Joined other Minneapolis lawmakers in a statement criticizing the U.S. Justice Department for moving to drop a police reform agreement with Minneapolis.
May 21, 2025Supports Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties
Source: house.mn.gov
Track record — Housing Affordability
Housing Affordability · 6 support
Authored a $165 million housing bill (House File 1141) that passed the House and Senate. It included $40 million in emergency rent help and $100 million in housing bonds.
May 13, 2026Supports Housing Affordability
Source: house.mn.gov
Authored House File 3425, which gave $9 million to supportive housing providers facing federal funding cuts. The House passed it.
March 12, 2026Supports Housing Affordability
Source: house.mn.gov
Co-authored the House housing budget bill with a Republican co-chair. It put over $31 million into emergency rent help and $100 million in housing bonds. The House passed it 106-25.
April 29, 2025Supports Housing Affordability
Source: house.mn.gov
Introduced House File 1142 to ban rent-setting software, like RealPage and Yardi, that landlords use to share data and raise rents.
February 19, 2025Supports Housing Affordability
Source: house.mn.gov
As House Housing Committee chair, carried the final $1 billion state housing budget (House File 2335). It created state rental vouchers for low-income families. The House passed it 70-61.
May 8, 2023Supports Housing Affordability
Source: house.mn.gov
Authored House File 1440, which gave $50 million in emergency rent help to families at risk of losing their homes. The House passed it 73-50.
March 16, 2023Supports Housing Affordability
Source: house.mn.gov
Track record — Social Programs and Welfare
Social Programs and Welfare · 6 support
Authored a $165 million housing bill (House File 1141) that passed the House and Senate. It included $40 million in emergency rent help and $100 million in housing bonds.
May 13, 2026Supports Social Programs and Welfare
Source: house.mn.gov
Authored House File 3425, which gave $9 million to supportive housing providers facing federal funding cuts. The House passed it.
March 12, 2026Supports Social Programs and Welfare
Source: house.mn.gov
Co-authored the House housing budget bill with a Republican co-chair. It put over $31 million into emergency rent help and $100 million in housing bonds. The House passed it 106-25.
April 29, 2025Supports Social Programs and Welfare
Source: house.mn.gov
As House Housing Committee chair, carried the final $1 billion state housing budget (House File 2335). It created state rental vouchers for low-income families. The House passed it 70-61.
May 8, 2023Supports Social Programs and Welfare
Source: house.mn.gov
Voted for House File 2, which created a paid family and medical leave insurance program for workers. The House passed it 68-64.
May 2, 2023Supports Social Programs and Welfare
Source: house.mn.gov
Authored House File 1440, which gave $50 million in emergency rent help to families at risk of losing their homes. The House passed it 73-50.
March 16, 2023Supports Social Programs and Welfare
Source: house.mn.gov
Track record — Gun Control
Gun Control · 2 support
Joined a sit-in on the Minnesota House floor to demand a vote on a gun violence prevention bill that Republican leaders blocked.
May 14, 2026Supports Gun Control
Source: house.mn.gov
Voted for House File 8, which required criminal background checks for gun transfers. The House passed it 69-62.
February 27, 2020Supports Gun Control
Source: house.mn.gov
Track record — Women's Reproductive Rights
Women's Reproductive Rights · 1 support
Voted for House File 1, which set a basic right to reproductive health care in state law. The House passed it 69-65.
January 19, 2023Supports Women's Reproductive Rights
Source: house.mn.gov
Track record — Election Integrity
Election Integrity · 1 support
Voted for House File 3, an elections bill. It changed voter registration and absentee voting rules and set rules against voter intimidation and deceptive practices. The House passed it 70-57.
April 13, 2023Supports Election Integrity
Source: house.mn.gov
Track record — Civil Rights
Civil Rights · 3 support
Voted against House File 12, which limited girls' school sports teams to students born female. The bill failed 66-67.
March 3, 2025Supports Civil Rights
Source: house.mn.gov
Voted for House File 3, an elections bill. It changed voter registration and absentee voting rules and set rules against voter intimidation and deceptive practices. The House passed it 70-57.
April 13, 2023Supports Civil Rights
Source: house.mn.gov
Voted for House File 4, which changed who can get a Minnesota driver's license, including proof of lawful presence rules. The House passed it 69-60.
January 30, 2023Supports Civil Rights
Source: house.mn.gov
Track record — Corporate Accountability
Corporate Accountability · 2 support
Introduced House File 1142 to ban rent-setting software, like RealPage and Yardi, that landlords use to share data and raise rents.
February 19, 2025Supports Corporate Accountability
Source: house.mn.gov
Led the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act through the House. It passed 111-22. It lets people in an insulin emergency get a 30-day supply for a $35 co-pay, with drug makers helping pay.
April 14, 2020Supports Corporate Accountability
Source: house.mn.gov
Track record — General
General · 1 record
Voted against the House transportation budget bill (House File 2438). The House passed it 85-49.
April 28, 2025
Source: house.mn.gov
Past race Michael Howard ran in:
- State Representative District 51A · November 3, 2026 · State House District 51A; Minnesota · incumbent