Meet Brian Bakst

Brian Bakst is a politics editor for MPR News. He is also the host of Politics Friday, where he discusses Minnesota politics —​ the latest from the legislature, election news and more. 

Brian began his career as a legislative correspondent for a chain of Iron Range newspapers before moving to The Associated Press, where he spent 17 years based at the Capitol. He joined MPR News in 2016 as a Capitol correspondent. Throughout his career, Brian has covered six gubernatorial elections and numerous campaigns for the U.S. Senate, House and state Legislature. He has also tracked several presidential campaigns both locally and nationally.  

Brian regularly appears on public affairs shows. He has made appearances on MSNBC, NPR, C-SPAN, Twin Cities PBS and the documentary “The VP Choice: Vance vs. Walz” from Frontline​ PBS. He has also received numerous awards and accolades, including multiple Page One Awards from the Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists, several Eric Sevareid​ Awards from the Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association, and second place at the National Headliner Awards.  

Brian graduated from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities with bachelors’ degrees in political science and journalism.  

Outside the newsroom, Brian is an avid golfer and enjoys spending time on Minnesota golf courses, often accompanied by his two daughters.