Heather Holmes

Heather Holmes (Democratic Party) is running for election to the Minnesota House of Representatives to represent District 24A. She is on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2026. The Democratic primary for this office on August 11, 2026, was canceled.

Holmes was an officeholder of the Byron Public School District, At-large in Minnesota.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in northern Wisconsin on the coast of Lake Superior. I’ve always been curious about the world around me and loved being outside in nature. This curiosity and passion for the environment led to me earning a Bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Wisconsin Superior and then pursuing a career in scientific research. I have worked in my current position as a technologist in a research lab for over 17 years. In total, I have over two decades of experience working in various fields of research ranging from coral reef ecology to agriculture to medical research. My husband, Amos, and I moved to Byron in 2006. We share a home with our amazing daughter, Gabby. Our family is involved deeply in our community. I currently serve on the school board for Byron Public Schools. Amos is a firefighter with the Byron Fire Department, and all three of us serve on the Diversity and Inclusion Council in Byron. I believe the skills gained from my career in science and my insights into the needs of our community have prepared me well to serve in St. Paul. I would be honored to have your support!

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Growing up in the Midwest, I was always taught that you help your neighbors. I see this playing out in our communities all the time: we help shovel out our neighbors’ driveways, rally around families during tragedy, and celebrate each other’s achievements. We donate to charities and volunteer in our communities. I wish to take this spirit of community with me to St. Paul. A budget reflects the values of the people who set it. If we value caring our neighbors, our state’s budget should reflect that and help empower people to provide for their families.The cost of healthcare is a heavy burden for many families, and no one should have to choose between food, medication, or seeing the doctor. Everyone needs access to quality affordable healthcare. This includes mental health and emergency services wherever people may live. Our rural EMS services are especially vulnerable right now. Much of greater Minnesota relies on volunteer ambulance services for their emergency care. Many of these services are struggling to remain operational. The legislation from this past year was a great start, but there is a lot more work to be done to protect this vital service for all Minnesotans.Minnesotans value our land for the food our farmers produce, recreation, and a healthy place to raise our families. Everyone needs access to clean water, and I believe safeguarding the purity of our water and air not only protects our health but also makes our area a great place to live and start a business. We've all seen the increasing severity of floods, droughts, and storms in our area. These not only pose risks to our safety, but they also can be costly in property damages and loss of crops for farmers. It's imperative we take action to mitigate the effects of climate change to preserve our state's beauty for generations to come.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

During countless conversations with people at their doors, I hear often that people feel like our communities in Greater Minnesota get left behind with the decisions in St. Paul. I hope to be able to advocate for the needs of our smaller communities and foster relationships with local governments in order to help them get what they need to thrive. My time on the school board has given me insight into the issues facing our public school system. I am passionate about ensuring the legislature adequately funds our public schools so that no child's education is dependent on their zip code. I am also interested in working on health care accessibility, especially with regard to our rural EMS services.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

I think the most important characteristics of an elected official are integrity, empathy, the ability to think critically, and also humility. It is so important for people in office to understand what they don't know and be willing to ask questions and seek credible information from experts. People can't know everything about everything, so it is imperative that our elected officials are able to draw on the expertise of others to help them make informed decisions.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am empathetic and love to listen to other people's stories. I believe a good representative should be willing to listen to their constituents. Also, I am very curious and love problem solving. I get excited when I can learn new information and then put that to use to creatively solve problems. That is a huge part of working in science that I think will serve me well in the legislature.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

One of the most important responsibility of someone elected as a state representative is in the name, to represent. They need to be willing to listen to the concerns of their constituents even when they don't agree with them. Their job is to advocate on behalf of the communities they represent.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Honestly, I just hope I can say that I was able to make a positive difference in people's lives.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The first historical event that I actually have vivid memories of was 9/11. I was 18 years old at the time. I was at UW-Madison for school that semester and remember being really afraid of what it meant for our country.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first real job was at McDonald's when I was in high school. I worked there for a little over two years. I think everyone should work some kind of a service job in their lifetime. It makes you a much more empathetic customer!

What is your favorite book? Why?

I don't think I could ever pick a favorite. I have been a voracious reader since I was a child and usually read 60-70 books a year. I'll read pretty much any genre of book. However, I especially love both science and historical fiction from authors like Michael Crichton, Steve Berry, Diana Gabaldon, and James Rollins.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Maine by Noah Kahan. My teenager got me hooked on his music. I get to travel to Bar Harbor twice a summer with my boss to help teach a course on kidney physiology, and I miss Acadia National Park when I'm gone. The line "I want to go to Maine" plays in my head a lot when I'm back home!

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Learning to be kind to myself and extend the grace that I give to others toward myself. This has gotten a lot easier the older I get. I wish I could have had this level of comfort in my own skin that I have now when I was in my twenties!

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Absolutely. No one can ever know everything about everything. Each legislator comes with their own experiences and expertise. We all can learn something from each other. In order to have the best versions of legislation possible, legislators need to be willing to work together to solve the complex problems our state faces.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

314 Action, DFL Stonewall Caucus, DFL Environmental Caucus, DFL Rural Caucus, DFL Senior Caucus, Education Minnesota, AFL-CIO, Teamsters, IBEW 343, Planned Parenthood, Pro Choice MN, Women Winning, MAPE, Council 5 AFSCME, Clean Water Action, NASW, SEIU, Friends of the Boundary Waters, Gender Justic Action PAC