Susan Akland

American politician

Susan Akland

Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 19A district
In office January 5, 2021 – January 2, 2023
Preceded by	Jeff Brand
Succeeded by	Brian Daniels

Personal details
Born	(1949-03-07) March 7, 1949 (age 75)
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Mark Akland
Children	1
Residence	Saint Peter
Alma mater	Oklahoma Baptist University (BS)
Profession	nurse, legislator

Susan Akland (born March 7, 1949) is an American politician and former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A Republican, she was elected in 2020 and represented District 19A in south-central Minnesota,^[1] which encompasses the whole of Nicollet County, as well as small portions of Le Sueur and Blue Earth counties, and includes the city of St. Peter and North Mankato.^[2]

Political career

Akland was first elected in 2020, narrowly defeating DFL incumbent Jeff Brand.^[3] Brand then defeated her in a rematch in 2022.

Akland received criticism in 2021, when she was one of many Republican legislators to appear and speak at a self-styled "Storm the Capitol" rally outside of the Minnesota State Capitol in Saint Paul on January 6, which ran concurrent to and endorsed the 2021 United States Capitol attack.^[4]^[5] She defended herself against calls from the former Representative Brand to step down, claiming that she had been invited to the event by colleague Glenn Gruenhagen and did not know of its nature beforehand.^[5]^[6] She would later vote to pass a resolution in the House that specifically condemned the Capitol attack in Washington, D.C., and affirmed the results of the 2020 election.^[6]^[7]

A former healthcare worker, Akland has been supportive of the wearing of masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.^[5]

Personal life

Akland is a Christian. She is married to Mark Akland, a physician at the St. Peter Mayo clinic.^[8] They have one son, John, and two grandchildren.^[9]

References

^ "Rep. Susan Akland (19A) - Minnesota House of Representatives". Minnesota House of Representatives. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
^ "Minnesota Legislative Maps". Minnesota Secretary Of State. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
^ Rinehart, Jake (December 3, 2020). "Akland wins House District 19A following recount". KEYC-TV. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
^ Rinehart, Jake (January 6, 2021). "Brand calls for Akland's resignation after attending 'Storm the Capitol' rally". KEYC-TV. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c Mewes, Trey (January 9, 2021). "St. Peter freshman lawmaker regrets rally controversy". Mankato Free Press. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
^ ^a ^b Brooks, Jennifer (January 28, 2021). "Minnesota legislators vote to denounce violence at U.S. Capitol – most of them, anyway". Star Tribune. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
^ "Minnesota House of Representatives - H.R. NO. 1". Minnesota House of Representatives. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
^ Wright, Mark (October 11, 2020). "Akland would be faithful servant to Southern Minnesota". Mankato Free Press. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
^ Weyhe, Philip (January 29, 2020). "St. Peter woman announces candidacy for local Minnesota House seat". St. Peter Herald. Retrieved July 26, 2021.