Born on October 14, 1985, in Buffalo, MN, Austin grew up in a single-parent household in Section 8 housing. Alongside his mother and two siblings, he experienced financial hardship and instability in Monticello, MN. Eventually, the family was able to secure a single-family home in Big Lake, MN, but the 2007–2008 financial crisis once again disrupted their stability.

At just 17, Austin made the difficult decision to leave school and enter the workforce to support his family financially. While this was a significant setback, it also became a driving force behind his determination to build a better life. He sought jobs that not only provided for his family but also allowed him to grow and develop new skills.

Today, as a U.S. Representative candidate, Austin is passionate about advocating for economic stability, affordable housing, and equal access to education. His lived experiences have given him deep empathy for those facing similar challenges and a firsthand understanding of how critical these pillars are to creating a more just and equitable society. He is dedicated to fighting for the rights and well-being of every individual in his district and beyond.

In 2016, Austin’s life took a meaningful turn when he met Ellie. Their bond grew quickly, and as they planned a future together, Austin embraced the role of a parent to Ellie’s two children. Motivated to provide more stability for their family, Austin made a bold decision—he left his two jobs and grueling work hours to pursue further education.

In 2017, Austin earned his GED and enrolled at Hennepin Technical College. While studying, he worked as a work-study in the college’s plastics lab, assisting both students and instructors. His hard work and dedication paid off—in 2018, he graduated with a 3.71 GPA, earning a diploma in Plastics Engineering Technology and occupational certificates in extrusion and injection molding.

However, 2018 also brought financial challenges. Ellie’s health issues and Austin’s modest income of $10 per hour as a work-study put their family at risk of eviction. When an opportunity arose for them to move to Wisconsin to care for Ellie’s grandfather’s house and property, they saw a chance for a fresh start. In exchange for their care, they were given the opportunity to purchase the house and a small piece of land.

Austin and Ellie embraced this new chapter with hope and determination, viewing it as a chance to build a stronger foundation for their family’s future.

In 2023, Austin and his family faced an unexpected and difficult challenge when one of Ellie’s relatives filed a lawsuit against her own family, seeking to remove Austin, Ellie, and their children from her father’s home. The legal battle took a heavy toll, leaving them financially strained and forcing Austin to shut down his business.

The stress of the situation had devastating consequences—Ellie went into premature labor, a deeply distressing experience for the entire family. Due to restrictive healthcare options in Wisconsin, Austin had to take Ellie to Minnesota to ensure she received the proper medical care she needed.

Despite everything they endured, Austin, Ellie, and their family have found peace in their new home in Albertville, MN. These hardships prompted Austin to reflect deeply on his purpose and the future he envisions. His experiences have only strengthened his resolve to serve his community and advocate for meaningful change. With this renewed sense of purpose, Austin has made the decision to run for U.S. Representative in Minnesota’s 6th District, driven by a commitment to fight for the well-being and rights of all families.

Growing up, I navigated through various school districts, beginning at Pinewood Elementary before moving on to middle school in Monticello, MN. From 7th to 11th grade, I experienced the educational environments of the Rogers, Elk River, and Osseo school districts. Eventually, I returned to the Monticello school district in 11th grade under open enrollment. However, due to personal challenges, I made the difficult decision to leave school and support my family.

In 2016, I proudly earned my GED and took the next step by enrolling at Hennepin Technical College. During my time there, I spent a year and a half as a work-study student, gaining hands-on experience in the plastics lab as well as the machining and power fluid departments. This experience was invaluable and broadened my practical knowledge of engineering processes. In 2018, I graduated with a 3.71 GPA, earning a diploma in Plastics Engineering Technology and two occupational certificates in extrusion and injection molding.

I have always believed in the value of lifelong learning—because knowledge is something that can never be taken away from you.

After relocating to Wisconsin in 2018, I founded Plastic Man LLC following a pivotal experience with degrading PVC in an injection molding machine while working for a local company. Plastic Man LLC became my bootstrapped manufacturing venture and a personal pathway out of the "rat race." It was designed to be more than a business—it was meant to be a secure and supportive environment for myself and my future employees.

Over the course of five years, I juggled multiple jobs in Wisconsin—including pizza delivery, injection molding technician, and other roles—to finance the purchase of equipment. I personally invested over $20,000 into the company, working tirelessly to bring my vision to life.

Many traditional business models operate under a rigid, top-down structure where a single individual holds all the power and employees are expected to carry out directives without input. Plastic Man LLC sought to break that mold by transforming into an employee-owned cooperative—a business built on the principles of corporate democracy.

A New Business Model

The company’s structure was inspired by the American congressional system, designed to foster collective decision-making. The workforce was divided into two representative factions: Office and Labor, each with its own responsibilities and voting rights. Employees had the power to vote on key company decisions, such as selecting leadership, approving equipment purchases, and expanding the workforce.

A Presidential Board, composed of elected representatives, would implement the employees' directives—ensuring that decisions truly reflected the will of the workforce. This model was built on the belief that employees—capable of making important decisions in their daily lives, from managing finances to raising families—should also have a voice in shaping their workplace.

The Loss of a Dream

In 2023, I was diligently working to secure the final $15,000 needed to install solar panels that would power my ISF 120-ton injection molding machine and accompanying equipment. However, in April, my world was upended. A sudden court-ordered eviction stemming from a lawsuit initiated by my wife’s aunt resulted in the loss of our home of five years, along with my business and all its assets.

By the end of April, I was left in Wisconsin, scrambling to salvage what I could. Without external support, such as a substantial bank loan, my efforts seemed hopeless. I pursued a countersuit in an attempt to regain some footing, but the case was summarily dismissed. The judge’s overt favoritism toward the opposing counsel—going so far as to arrive at the courtroom alongside them—cast serious doubt on the fairness of the ruling.

Following the devastating court date in June 2023, I made the difficult decision to return to Minnesota to rebuild.

Looking Forward

Although Plastic Man LLC was forced to close, its vision remains alive in my heart. Perhaps one day, it will rise again to carry out its mission of empowering employees and setting a new standard for what businesses can be: a place where work is not just a job, but a shared purpose driven by fairness and opportunity for all.

In 2018, Austin and Ellie lost their apartment and, with nowhere else to go, gratefully accepted Mary’s offer to move into Ellie’s grandfather’s house in Chippewa Falls, WI, to care for the property.

Austin found a job at Vital Plastics but suffered a toxic exposure incident that led to the loss of his job. This hardship motivated him to found Plastic Man LLC—a company built on the principle of prioritizing employees over profits.

In 2019-2020, Ellie’s aunt Karen briefly returned to live with Mary after Robert Reppe passed away. Rumors of Karen’s potential lawsuits surfaced, but nothing materialized as she left for Mississippi. From 2020-2021, Austin and Ellie heard little about any legal disputes, assuming Karen had moved on. However, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, impacting Austin’s business and forcing him to convert the garage into a workshop. The federal moratorium on evictions provided temporary protection.

From 2021-2023, Karen returned from Mississippi and moved in with her stepfather after Mary passed away. With the eviction moratorium lifted, Karen pursued legal action to force the sale of the house and land. Allegedly using a false name to conceal her identity, Karen won the case and sealed the lawsuit and property appraisal.

On April 21, 2023, Mary informed Austin and Ellie that they had to move out. This news forced Austin to shut down Plastic Man LLC and sell his equipment at a significant loss. Desperate to find a home for his family before the school year began, Austin faced numerous setbacks, including failed attempts to secure housing with family and friends. Amidst the chaos, Ellie experienced another devastating miscarriage due to the immense stress and inadequate medical care in Wisconsin.

Determined to keep their home, Austin began investigating anomalies in the lawsuit. On May 11, 2023, he parked his van across the driveway, placed “No Trespassing” signs, and monitored the property to prevent unauthorized entry. When Karen’s realtor attempted to provoke Austin while secretly recording him, he remained calm and composed.

In the following days, Austin discovered that Karen had used a fake name in the lawsuit and uncovered records of her ongoing legal troubles in Barron County. On May 13, 2023, he shared his findings with local officials, urging them to act ethically. By May 17, Austin had filed complaints with the Wisconsin State Bar and state investigators, mailing the documentation overnight.

Despite his efforts, the situation worsened. On May 20, 2023, while Austin was packing tools, a pickup truck arrived to deliver an eviction notice—addressed only to him and misspelling Ellie’s name. According to the notice, leaving the property would be considered abandonment of his business assets under Wisconsin statute 704.19(2)(a)(2).

On May 24, 2023, Austin and Ellie proceeded with the move. Most of their belongings went into storage, and Ellie and the children camped in a tent behind Austin’s mother’s shed while Austin stayed behind to protect the remaining business assets.

By June 2, 2023, Austin began searching for a new business location in Minnesota, contacting commercial realtors in the hopes of rebuilding.

On June 28, Karen returned to the house, attempting to confront Austin about the eviction despite Mary’s request that she not get involved. Calmly, Austin corrected her misunderstanding of the eviction process.

On July 6, 2023, the eviction was officially filed, but both Austin and Ellie’s names were misspelled, raising suspicions that this was an intentional delay tactic. On July 11, 2023, the summons arrived while Ellie was in Minnesota. Austin informed her, and she authorized him to hold onto the papers.

The experience in Wisconsin tested the family’s resilience, but Austin’s determination to seek justice and rebuild remained unwavering. These hardships strengthened his resolve to fight for fairness, transparency, and the well-being of working families—values he carries into his campaign and his vision for the future.