Proudly Representing Golden Valley: Mike Freiberg '95

Alumni Office (A): Hey Mike, can you share about your path from Breck graduation to where you are now?

Mike Freiberg ’95 (M): Sure! I graduated from Breck in 1995 and went to Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. I was always interested in politics but never thought I’d get as involved as I am now. I honestly thought that I would end up being a music major, and I was even accepted into Oberlin College with that goal in mind. They have an incredible Conservatory of Music, but when I was accepted into Georgetown, I had to weigh my choices. Georgetown won out because I wanted to keep music as a passion and not make it my career. I ended up interning on Capitol Hill for Congressman Martin Olav Sabo and Senator Paul Wellstone, both from Minnesota. That experience opened up the opportunity for me to work as a legislative assistant after college. 

I ended up moving back to Minnesota in 2002, attended law school at William Mitchell College of Law, and worked part-time on campaigns. In 2003, a position on the Golden Valley City Council became available, and I was like, “I know the issues facing this community, so I’ll run.” I worked really hard and got elected. I served on the city council for nine years, and while I did that, I got a job as a lawyer for nonprofit organizations.

In 2012, after redistricting, an incumbent announced very late that they were not running, and I decided to campaign for the MN Legislature. I’ve been a state representative for 11 years now, and it has been an interesting career for me. I find being involved in politics rewarding because I get to give back to my community.

A: What motivates you in your role as a MN legislator?

M: The work is interesting, and I am pretty extroverted. I like being around people and meeting people from all different backgrounds. Each MN House District has around 44,000 people, so I get to have close interactions with constituents. I also love being able to pass legislation that directly benefits my constituents, such as free school lunches. The work is really rewarding.

A: Do you have any advice for Breck students who are looking to get involved in politics or who want to find a career in politics?

M: I remember doing volunteer work at Breck. We also had a candidate for Governor of Minnesota speak when I was a student, and he said I would be able to volunteer on his campaign. I think I answered phones a few nights per week or something. I would say just take opportunities that are available. Most members of Congress from Minnesota have district offices, and there are internships on the official side of things. I would also say don’t get put off by what might be considered a small race. I think the hardest work I ever put in was running for the Golden Valley City Council. Candidates really appreciate the help!

Patrick Eyres ’25 (P): Are there any current ideas or bills that you believe the Minnesota Legislature can act on to protect or increase voting rights in the state?

M: Yes! I am the chair of the elections committee. This is something we’ve done a ton of work on just this year. Last year, we passed automatic voter registration, and we passed pre-registration of 16 and 17 year olds. We’ve also restored voting rights to people who were previously convicted of crimes and are on probationary terms. We also are talking about ranked-choice voting and working towards creating an independent redistricting commission.

P: How can we increase young voter turnout and civic participation?

M. I love that you are part of Voterama. I am working to get to assemblies in some of the public school districts. Our work last year on preregistration will help younger voters as well. I also know that politicians have to stop taking young voters for granted. 

P: What are some of the issues you’ve heard about from your constituents that would impact Golden Valley residents my age?

M: The preregistration of 16- and 17-year-olds is a big one. We had a lot of young people testify in support of the bill. I’ve also heard more talk about the age to run for office in Minnesota. It’s currently 21, so I’ve heard maybe we could lower it to 18 for local offices. For K-12 students, the school lunch program was huge, and raising the funding formula to tie to inflation was helpful. I also think that an increase in student-to-counselor ratios is helpful. 

A: Can you share how your Breck education has impacted your journey to where you are now?

M: I moved to Breck in seventh grade, and my experience before wasn’t great. I needed something different. I needed smaller class sizes and a direct focus on academics. It took me a while to adjust, but it ended up really helping me. I also remember Dick Yonker, my math teacher. He was incredible and taught me so many life lessons. I took AB and BC Calculus from him, and my whole class did great on the AP tests because he was that great. He also led Quiz Bowl as a coach. He actually inspired me to coach my daughter’s team. Brad Peterson and Father Bellaimey come to mind as well. 

Mike Freiberg ’95 lives in Golden Valley with his spouse, Lauren, and two children.