Background
Welti, Andy J. was born on May 28, 1980 in Rochester, Minnesota, United States.
Welti, Andy J. was born on May 28, 1980 in Rochester, Minnesota, United States.
Bachelor of Science in Secondary Social Studies Education, Minnesota State University, Mankato.
A Democrat, he was first elected in 2004, defeating four-term incumbent Republican Bill Kuisle. Both contests were re-matches against Kuisle. In the aftermath of the 2008 election, he was elected by his DFL colleagues as one of eight assistant majority leaders.
He was unseated by Republican Mike Benson in the 2010 general election.
During his time in the legislature, his work has focused largely on veteran"s affairs, education, agriculture and alternative energy. Committees served on during the 2009-2010 biennium:
Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Finance Division
Energy Finance and Policy Division Committee
Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Transportation and Transit Policy and Oversight Division
Transportation Finance and Policy Division
Committees served on during the 2007-2008 biennium:
Energy Finance and Policy Division
Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division
East-12 Education
Agriculture, Rural Economics, and Veterans Affairs Division.
Committees served on during the 2005-2006 biennium:
Agriculture and Rural Development
Environment and Natural Resources
Governmental Operations and Veterans Affairs.
Just 24 years of age at the time, his victory over Kuisle (who served as chair of the Transportation Committee, and was also a member of the Ways and Means Committee) was regarded as a significant political upset in the traditionally Republican area. Welti represented District 30B, which includes portions of Rochester and largely rural areas of Olmsted, Winona, and Wabasha counties, including the towns of Stewartville, Dover, Eyota, Chatfield, part of Saint Charles, and his home town of Plainview.