Overview

Andy is an effective strategist and advocate who leads clients to success with the state legislature and other policy makers.

A campaign, legislative, communications and government relations strategist, Andy utilizes creative analysis and innovative methods to move decision makers’ opinions and actions. He works to understand the motivations of legislators and works to connect his clients’ causes with their goals. He is experienced working with outside the Capitol campaigns as an increasingly important way to move legislation through grassroots, traditional media, and other methods.

Since joining Fredrikson’s Government Relations practice in 2015 and prior as a legislative staff person, Andy has a record of accomplishment in a broad range of public policy areas including commerce, taxes, capital investment, housing, energy, transportation and judiciary issues. He is one of Minnesota’s most productive advocates for capital projects, securing over $1.8 billion in construction funds for local governments, non-profits, affordable housing development and small businesses. One past success was the largest ever funded local government capital project funded by the state.

Prior to joining Fredrikson, Andy worked for a decade at the state legislature and in a leadership role on legislative caucus campaigns. He also runs Minnesota’s most successful political direct mail firm. On political campaigns, Andy is a trusted advisor to candidates, building trust and relationships with legislators and staff which benefit his government relations clients.  

Services

Experience

Lobbyist

At the Capitol, Andy has worked successfully for clients to:

  • Pass the largest increase in Minnesota history for the Civil Legal Services Coalition. Raising starting salaries of Legal Aid attorneys to better compete in the market and funding more staff and attorneys is changing the landscape for Legal Aid in recruitment and retention, expanding services for more eligible Minnesotans.
  • Ensure the licensing regimen of Minnesota’s new legalized adult use cannabis law supports small to mid-size businesses, including expanding the canopy limits for small and mid-size businesses while also supporting equity provisions in the legislation to ensure the benefits from the legal market flow to those most harmed by prohibition.
  • Pass the largest and most comprehensive package of racial equity legislation in state history. This includes transformational funding for BIPOC entrepreneurs through business lending and consulting support, increasing BIPOC homeownership, and the capital needs of new and expanded facilities of black led organizations.
  • Reduce long-term debt and capital obligations by the City of Minneapolis, saving the city a projected $350 million. 
  • Increase the influence of affordable housing interests and secure new funds for housing development and supportive services including: the state’s first affordable housing tax credit, record investments in homeownership, and new funding to preserve at-risk housing.

Capitol Staff

  • Served the Minnesota House of Representatives as a Committee Administrator to the Energy Division and Local Government Division and as a Research Consultant for a wide variety of committees covering issues including capital investment, legacy, environment, energy, housing and higher education.
  • Coordinated strategy for passing The 2007 Next Generation Energy Act which established nation-leading energy efficiency objectives and greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.
  • Acquired intimate knowledge of the capital investment process by guiding numerous organizations, advocates and legislators through the process; ensuring their projects received full consideration for funding. Aided leadership during bi-partisan and bi-cameral negotiations to pass over $1.5 billion in capital investments during the 2013-2014 biennium.
  • Advised legislators and stakeholders over eight years, including in the use of Legacy funds for establishing new programs and securing first-time funding ranging from large initiatives such as the Greater Minnesota Parks and Trails Commission to niche programs such as the small theaters grants.

Credentials

Education

  • University of Minnesota, B.A., 2004

Recognition

  • Inductee, Justice Matters Alliance, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, 2023

Civic & Professional

Professional Activities

  • No Coast Workshop, Founder and Owner
  • Analyst Institute, Analyst Group Member
  • Minnesota Government Relations Council, Member
  • Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless, Board Chair
  • Public Affairs Council, pursuing Certificate in Public Affairs Management

News & Insights

Publications & Presentations

Quoted, “Bottles, Caps and Cans: The State of Booze Bills Before the 2020 Minnesota Legislature,” MinnPost, March 13, 2020

Panelist, “Experts Forum: What’s Next in Affordable Housing?,” Finance & Commerce Panel Discussion, April 2018

Featured in “The Minnesota Way,” Fresh Energy, June 2015

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