Endorsed Candidates

Amy Klobuchar is the first woman elected to represent the State of Minnesota in the United States Senate. She has earned the reputation of an effective, results-driven legislator focused on getting things done that make a real difference in people’s lives.

In the last Congress, Amy distinguished herself as the senator with the most bipartisan bills, and she ranked third for introducing bills that were signed into law. Amy has always sought to stand up for families and workers, find common ground and work to deliver results on our country’s most pressing issues, including lowering prescription drug costs, ensuring quality health care for our veterans, protecting our democracy, and restoring America’s standing in the world.

Growing up in a mobile home park, Angie didn’t expect to end up as an executive at a Fortune 500 company, or to be serving in Congress, but her life experience taught her that hard work and a good education could lead to a better life. One of three kids raised by a single mom who worked while going to school to earn her college degree, Angie worked two jobs to keep up with the cost of her education, and graduated from a state college. She began her career as a newspaper reporter then worked her way up in business over fifteen years to eventually lead a workforce of 16,000 employees for a major Minnesota manufacturer. In Congress, Angie is working to make sure that all families have a path to create a success story like her family achieved. A path to success means having access to high quality public education, affordable college and meaningful, good paying jobs. She is a member of the Energy & Commerce Committee, Agriculture Committee and Small Business Committee, and a co-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus.

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Kelly Morrison has spent most of her career as a doctor – not a politician. As an OB-GYN who has been practicing in Minnesota for over 20 years, Kelly has dedicated her life to helping people. Her husband, John Willoughby, was an Army Ranger, and their family has always valued service above all. In 2018, she was elected to the Minnesota House and then the Minnesota Senate after winning tough races in districts that were previously held by Republicans, and she did it without taking any corporate PAC or lobbyist money. In the Minnesota legislature, Kelly has a proven track record of working to get things done – she passed over 80 bills in just 5 years, more than almost every other legislator. As an obstetrician-gynecologist who still sees patients, Kelly led the fight to protect a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions. She knows what it’s like to see her patients struggle to afford the medications they need, so she took on the big pharmaceutical companies and passed legislation to lower the cost of prescription drugs.

Betty McCollum is the dean of the Minnesota congressional delegation and a trailblazer when in 2000 she was the second woman elected to Congress in Minnesota’s history.

McCollum is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and serves as chair of the Defense Subcommittee with responsibility for providing more than $700 billion in annual funding for the Department of Defense and the U.S. intelligence community. McCollum is also the vice-chair of the Interior-Environment Subcommittee where she has championed funding for environmental justice, protecting public lands, climate resilience, clean air and water, and Native American health care and education.

A tireless champion for women’s reproductive freedom, McCollum is a fierce advocate for abortion rights, comprehensive family planning, and unrestricted access to sexual health services. Internationally, McCollum has advanced legislation to end child marriage, promote the U.S. commitment to family planning, increase funding for maternal and child health for the world’s poorest women.

Throughout her congressional career McCollum has worked to advocate for human rights for all. McCollum knows all too well that women do not possess full equal rights and continues to work for the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. McCollum’s record supporting civil rights for all communities, LGBTQ+ rights, and workers’ rights has always put her at the forefront of the struggle for equality and justice.

Betty McCollum is a leader in Congress for Minnesota and an example of effective and determined leadership that reflects the values of equality that Minnesota and all Americans deserve.

Rep. Ilhan Omar represents Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, which includes Minneapolis and surrounding suburbs. An experienced Twin Cities policy analyst, organizer, public speaker and advocate, Rep. Omar was sworn into office in January 2019, making her the first African refugee to become a Member of Congress, the first woman of color to represent Minnesota, and one of the first two Muslim-American women elected to Congress. As a legislator, Rep. Omar is committed to fighting for the shared values of the 5th District, values that put people at the center of our democracy. She plans to focus on tackling many of the issues that she hears about most from her constituents, like protecting reproductive rights and the right to bodily autonomy; investing in education and freeing students from the shackles of debt; ensuring a fair wage for a hard day’s work; creating a just immigration system and tackling the existential threat of climate change. Rep. Omar has been a cosponsor and vocal advocate for reproductive rights legislation like the Women’s Health Protection Act which codifies Roe v. Wade into law, as well as the Ensuring Access to Abortion Act which protects women and pregnant people from being prosecuted for crossing state lines to obtain abortions legally. Rep. Omar was arrested in front of the Supreme Court with her colleagues in the Democratic Women’s Caucus during a civil disobedience action after the Roe v. Wade was overturned. Rep. Omar has been a leader on reproductive justice and abortion rights since coming to Congress in 2019 and before that in the MN House of Representatives. She will continue that being a champion and fighting for reproductive justice should she be re-elected to Congress.

Ann Johnson Stewart is a former state senator, business engineer, civil engineer and teacher. She is seeking election in Senate District 45, which consists of the 15 communities that border Lake Minnetonka. Ann earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental and civil engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She started a small consulting business, grew it to employ over 30 people, and recently sold it to focus on the upcoming election, but continues to teach at the University of MN. Her passion is workforce development; she’s spent decades mentoring and teaching BIPOC men and women in both the construction trades and civil design. As a senator, Ann hopes to return to the Bonding and the Transportation Policy committees to continue work on supporting and growing Minnesota’s infrastructure.

Heather Keeler continues to show up as a advocate for Reproductive Justice. Serving on the Health and Human Services Conference Committee as the only BIPOC, queer member she continues to the the voice for the underserved and overlooked. Heather is deep committed to helping address the barriers her border city experiences when it comes to abortion access. Her continued work proves she is a trustworthy champion for Reproductive Rights.

Alicia “Liish” Kozlowski is running for re-election in District 8B in the Minnesota House of Representatives, the community Liish was born and raised in by a single-mother and grandmother. Liish is a first-generation college graduate who then earned an MBA and immediately went to work building, creating, and amplifying community. As a proud descendant of an Indigenous-Ojibwe mother and Mexican father, Liish believes we are all better when we show up in the fullness of who we are, with hearts forward and head high. As an endurance runner, former business developer, grassroots organizer, and current Community Relations Officer with the City of Duluth, Liish has the experience, stamina and vision to be effective for Duluth as someone who is already leading in alignment with community to improve health and well-being, rebuilding generational wealth, advancing an inclusive economy, and cultivating the community we all deserve.

Tina Liebling was born and raised in Minneapolis. She received her BA from the University of Minnesota, then moved to Massachusetts where she earned an M.S. in Public Health from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and her J.D. cum laude at Boston University School of Law. She practiced law in the Boston area and then with the Office of the Cook County Public Defender in Chicago. She moved back to Minnesota in 1994 and started a solo law practice concentrating on criminal law. In 2004, Tina was elected to the Minnesota House and has been re-elected every two years since. Many of Tina’s House committee assignments have been in the health and human services area, where she has always been a staunch and vocal advocate for reproductive and LGBTQ rights. She now chairs the House Health Finance and Policy Committee, where she worked to ensure passage of the PRO Act and other reproductive freedom bills. She was chief author of the bill that repealed restrictive and unconstitutional abortion laws and made sure that these laws were removed from Minnesota’s statute books.

Kim Hicks is a current MN House Representative proudly representing Rochester MN. She is product of Rochester public schools and a graduate of Winona State University. She works in the human services field, currently working with children with autism and their families. She is a breast cancer survivor. Kim and her husband LaMar have eight kids (ages 9 to 22).

Melissa Hortman serves as the Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives. Rep. Hortman was elected in 2004 and represents communities in the northwest suburbs, where she and her husband raised their two children. As a legislator, Rep. Hortman has focused her work on energy and the environment. She authored Minnesota’s solar energy standard and community solar law.

Kari Rehrauer is running for the MN House in District 35B, which represents Coon Rapids, and Andover. She graduated from the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities with a bachelor’s in biology and a Master’s in Education. With a career that spanned 20 years as a licensed life and Earth science public school teacher, Kari will bring her commitment to the sciences and to a quality public education for all Minnesota students to the Senate. As a current Coon Rapids City Councilmember, Kari has a proven track record of working to mitigate climate change through green energy initiatives and she is committed to taking climate action. Kari has been a continuous voice for equity and inclusion and in her career and as a councilmember. Kari will be a staunch advocate for progressive values at the Capitol.

Brion Curran (they/she) was born and raised in Minnesota, is a 20-year veteran of the disability services field and former police offer. Brion was a strong supporter of passing gender and reproductive rights protections in Minnesota during the 2023 legislative session. Brion serves as the Vice Chair of Minnesota’s first official Queer Legislative Caucus, which works to advance policies to surrounding 2SLGBTQIA+ rights and healthcare access.

A lifelong Minnesotan, Kristin flipped her seat after 36 years to help win back the majority in 2018 in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Now in her third term, she is a vocal champion for Women’s Issues and Women’s Rights at the legislature. She was one of the original organizers of Women’s March MN that brought 110K women to the Capitol in the largest single-day rally in MN history and served on the Board as Legislative Chair before joining the MN House. Representative Bahner is passionate about providing affordable, accessible healthcare and prescription drugs. She passed four bi-partisan, common sense, bills on prescription drugs that place patients back in the driver’s seat and put money back in people’s pockets As the current Vice Chair of Human Services Finance and member of the Health Finance Committee, Kristin is a tireless advocate for children, working families and seniors. A vocal champion and former Vice Chair for the Elections Committee and current member of the State Government and Elections Committee, she is a tireless advocate for issues like automatic voter registration and elections communication transparency. Kristin is an IT Consultant and team leader outside of the legislature, where she works every day to overcome obstacles and work as a team to get the job done. Her current work highlights critical bills on IT infrastructure and cyber security, as well as the future of technology work in state government.

Samantha Vang is a lifelong Minnesota native, a proud daughter of refugees, a Democrat, and a longtime Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park resident. As a legislator Samantha passed critical legislation on addressing a broad variety of issues facing Minnesotans. Her priorities center on providing tax relief for everyday Minnesotans, addressing the mental health workforce shortage, improving public safety, tackling climate change and spurring economic development. In 2021, Samantha was awarded a Legislator of Distinction by the League of Minnesota Cities. Samantha is a first-generation college graduate from Gustavus Adolphus College with a B.A in Political Science and Communications. She currently works as a Tenant Advocate educating renters on their rights. On her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family. As an advocate and leader, Samantha will continue to keep communities and families thriving.

Erin grew up in Osseo and graduated from Osseo High School. She went to college at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. She graduated with a bachelor’s in Psychology and went on to gain a Masters in Advocacy and Political Leadership also at UMD. Erin has spent her career working toward social justice. She has spent time advocating for public policies that would help working families including an increase in the minimum wage, assistance for families facing home foreclosures, a stop to predatory lending practices, paid sick time, and health care for all Minnesotans. Erin and her husband, Steve, had their first child in December of 2018. Erin was able to bring her daughter, Clara with her to the Capitol during the 2019 session. This has made her even more dedicated to ensuring all families have time to bond with a new child through paid family leave. Erin lives in Spring Lake Park with her husband, Steve, their daughter, Clara, and their black lab, Spud. She is currently serving her third term as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Sandra Feist was first elected in 2020 to the Minnesota House of Representatives. Since her election, she has been an advocate for women’s reproductive freedom. She is a member of the House Reproductive Freedom Caucus and enthusiastic co-author of the House legislation that expanded protections for access to abortion. She was the chief House author of the K-12 and Higher Education Menstrual Equity bills, expanding access to free period products for students across Minnesota in an effort to address period poverty in schools. In the 2023-24 term, she served as Vice Chair of the House Public Safety Committee and championed innovative legislation expanding youth restorative justice to support struggling children and families. In her private life, she is an immigration attorney and advocate, serving in national leadership roles advocating for immigration reform.

Kelly Moller is currently serving her third term in the Minnesota House of Representatives. As a career prosecutor who advocates for victims of crime, she has been a leader at the Capitol for survivors of sexual assault, Minnesotans with disabilities, student mental health, and gun violence prevention. She serves as Chair of the House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee and the Ethics Committee, and serves on the Rules and Legislative Administration, Ways and Means, and Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committees. Moller is a member of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus. She is a 20+ year resident of Shoreview, where she resides with her husband as well as two sons who have attended Mounds View School District schools.

Rep. Ginny Klevorn has been a champion for women’s rights. As a co-author of the 2023 PRO Act, Rep. Klevorn has worked to ensure that women have access to quality reproductive healthcare and autonomy to make their own healthcare decisions. As a professional mediator, Ginny knows that when women are empowered to make their own decisions and have a seat at the table, outcomes are more equitable for women, our families, our communities and our state.

Erin grew up in Osseo and graduated from Osseo High School. She went to college at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. She graduated with a bachelor’s in Psychology and went on to gain a Masters in Advocacy and Political Leadership also at UMD. Erin has spent her career working toward social justice. She has spent time advocating for public policies that would help working families including an increase in the minimum wage, assistance for families facing home foreclosures, a stop to predatory lending practices, paid sick time, and health care for all Minnesotans. Erin and her husband, Steve, had their first child in December of 2018. Erin was able to bring her daughter, Clara with her to the Capitol during the 2019 session. This has made her even more dedicated to ensuring all families have time to bond with a new child through paid family leave. Erin lives in Spring Lake Park with her husband, Steve, their daughter, Clara, and their black lab, Spud. She is currently serving her third term as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Representative Cheryl Youakim was first elected to the Minnesota House in 2014 after spending nine years on the Hopkins City Council. Before that, she was an advocate for early childhood and family education as well as a parent advocate for investing in our K-12 public schools. Cheryl has always believed in the value of public service and has been honored to be elected to represent the communities of Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and Edina in a variety of ways. At the Capitol as the House Education Policy Chair, she worked on legislation for comprehensive sex education in our schools. As the Property Tax Chair, she fought for an economy that works for everyone. And as the Education Finance Chair last session, she and her colleagues passed the largest investment in public education that Minnesota has seen. Rep. Youakim will continue to fight for the values our communities care about: quality education, access to affordable childcare, a dependable transportation system, and to protect our environment as well as our rights. Cheryl Youakim will always stand for our rights to love who we love, worship how we choose, and to equal protection under the law no matter who we are, what we look like, or where we live.

Amanda’s unique blend of education and experience in laboratory science and policy allows her to evaluate any policies fully and comprehensively before voting to implement them. She is a values-driven, passionate person who listens to understand. Amanda believes in bringing people together, gathering as much information and perspectives as possible, and leading with community input to make the best policy decision together. In her first year in the Minnesota House of Representatives, Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger hit the ground running with ambitious goals to advocate for women, children, and families. She voted in support of codifying a women’s right to access all forms of reproductive health care, take action to make child care more affordable, and increase access to other forms of women’s healthcare. Amanda’s expertise in genetics proved valuable in evaluating and discussing issues before the Children and Families and Health committees. Amanda knows that the work is not done. She will continue to advocate for the people of south Maplewood and Woodbury, utilizing her scientific and policy background. Through collaboration with other Legislators and actively listening to community, Amanda works to break down systemic barriers to reproductive justice.

Rep. Lucy Rehm is running to be re-elected as state representative for house district 48B, which includes Chanhassen and the eastern side of Chaska. She is a proud fourth-generation Minnesotan who has called Chanhassen home for more than 25 years. She served on the Chanhassen city council, taught English overseas, and has been a lifelong advocate for healthy living, families and the environment. She is also a mother to three great kids. It is her strong belief that women’s and girls’ rights are human rights. She believes that it is a human right to be able to make deeply personal healthcare decisions about one’s reproductive health without interference from politicians.

Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn grew up in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and attended the University of St. Thomas, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in entrepreneurship. Kotyza-Witthuhn was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2018 and has been reelected every two years since. Kotyza-Witthuhn has served as vice chair of the Commerce Finance and Policy Committee since 2021. She also sits on the Children and Families Finance and Policy, Economic Development Finance and Policy, and Human Services Finance Committees. Carlie is was a founding member of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus, and in 2023 she authored the Minnesota House’s H.F. 1, also known as the Protect Reproductive Options Act, or PRO Act. The bill added a “fundamental right” to “continue the pregnancy and give birth, or obtain an abortion” in state law. It also protects rights to contraception, sterilization, family planning and counseling. The bill passed the House on January 19 and was signed by Governor Tim Walz on January 31, 2023.

Representative Liz Reyer (DFL-52A) is the DFL-endorsed candidate for House District 52A, representing parts of Burnsville and Eagan. Liz is a business leader, social activist, mother of four, and a long-time Eagan resident. She has been active in local politics and has a long history of involvement in Eagan schools, youth athletics, and other civic matters. Since 2020, Liz has used her platform to address structural racism and fight for quality and affordable health care, reproductive rights, equal justice under the law, a stable climate and clean environment, and a world-class education. She is Vice-Chair of the Capital Investment Committee and also serves on the Health, Workforce, and Economic Development committees. Liz is a proud member of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus, Queer Caucus, and co-leads the Climate Action Caucus.

In 2023, Bianca Virnig was elected to the MN House of Representative in a special election. She represents District 52B which serves Eagan, Mendota and Mendota Heights. She was a member of the ISD 196 Rosemount – Apple Valley – Eagan school board where she served on the Budget Advisory Council, Special Ed Advisory Council, Community Ed Advisory Council, and the district wellness committee. She is also on the Deerwood Elementary PTO. Bianca is the Director of Health and Safety for an educational cooperative where she co-leads an education policy fellowship and oversees a workforce grant targeted at supporting school nurses and mental health providers. Mrs. Virnig is a 2022/2023 alumna of the Humphrey Policy Fellow program. She has an A.A. from Century College and a B.A. from the University of Minnesota where she is a member of the alumni association. Bianca was awarded the Dakota County Public Health Achievement Award in 2021 for her work as the regional COVID coordinator for metro area schools. As a mother of three young children, she will fight for quality education, address issues affecting the environment, seek affordable, accessible, quality healthcare for all and advocate for safe and healthy communities.

Rep. Mary Frances Clardy is an outspoken and relentless advocate for reproductive rights. Her voting record reflects her determination that she will always vote to preserve and expand reproductive rights in Minnesota. Whenever human rights are on the line you can count on her to stand up! Mary Frances is an effective legislator. In her first year in office 19 bills she authored were passed and became law in the first 19 weeks of her tenure. Mary Frances is a veteran educator with a 28-year track record with the St. Paul School Schools. Rep. Clardy has a M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. Before joining the legislature, she was a member of the Inver Grove Heights School Board, ISD 199, a gubernatorial appointee to the Minnesota Board of School Administrators, and a former member of the Minnesota Board of Teaching, and served as a Minneapolis Civil Rights Commissioner.

Jess Hanson grew up in a trailer park in Lakeville, and saw every day how working families like hers struggled to make ends meet. Jess worked two jobs while renting an apartment in Burnsville where she raised her first daughter with the help of family and the community. Jess went on to become the first person in her family to graduate from college, and earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from St. Kate’s in 2018. Jess believes in a future for Minnesota in which everyone has the opportunity to innovate, succeed, and prosper. Jess is running for the Minnesota House again because she cares about the community and believes that economic opportunities should be abundant, education should be equitable, and government should be responsible.

Kaela Berg is a mom of two fantastic boys, both in their twenties, a 20 year union flight attendant and a long time Labor leader. She ran for office as a working mom who knows the struggles of working families, to ensure we make investments in our education systems, and to fight for racial, gender, economic and environmental justice. As a member of the Reproductive freedom Caucus, she helped pass legislation that protects a person’s right to bodily autonomy, the Trans Refuge bill, access to free menstrual products for all students, and requiring more mental health staff in every school in the state to help address the trauma our children carry with them each day to name a few. In the upcoming session she will author a bill to remove the “abstinence only” curriculum for sex education classes from Minnesota statute. She is dedicated to upholding the values of Women Winning and to continuing to lead with integrity.

Born and raised in Southern Minnesota, Kristi has a proven track record of being a champion for clean water, education, working families, and human rights. A member of the Reproductive Justice Caucus (a bicameral group of legislators in both the Minnesota House and Senate) her first term she was able to support wins for bodily autonomy, choice, and justice- especially for those with marginalized bodies in Minnesota (trans folks, women, people of color and indigenous people). Kristi believes in democracy, a healthy world for future generations, and the basic decency of human beings.

Esther Agbaje is running for re-election to continue representing District 59B in the MN House of Representatives. The district covers essentially a microcosm of Minnesota from the very wealthy to those struggling everyday to survive. Rep. Agbaje is a lawyer who advocates for tobacco control policies and climate justice policies in public housing. In her previous practice she helped secure Hepatitis C medication for Minnesota prisoners. In the legislature she championed laws to even the playing field for tenants, secured reproductive protections for patients and doctors in Minnesota, and passed the CROWN Act so that all people can show up as their full selves at work and at school. In her third term, she will continue to fight for more housing, better public transportation, and jobs that pay a living wage.

Sydney Jordan has been unapologetically pro-abortion in every election she’s run in. A founding member of both the Reproductive Freedom Caucus and the Queer Caucus, Sydney has been the chief author of Universal School Meals, Comprehensive Sex Education, and the Minnesota ban on PFAS. Recognized nationally for her work, Sydney is known in Minnesota for her love of Northeast Minneapolis and Southeast Como, these bills and countless others that empower people of all genders to live their lives with dignity and respect.

Aisha Gomez is a Southsider, an organizer, an environmentalist, a public servant, and a mom. She was first elected State Representative in 2018. She served as Chair of the Preventing Homelessness division during the 2021-2022 session and is honored to currently serve as the House Tax Chair.

Anquam Mahamoud spent roughly 15 years of my formative years in the East and Midtown Phillips neighborhoods after moving to Minnesota from San Diego at the age of 8. Her family experienced poverty like many of their neighbors, struggling to make ends meet with no healthcare access. Anquam received her degree in Psychology from St. Catherine University, and went on to work with the State of Minnesota as one of the first caseworkers for the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) helping Minnesotans receive access to affordable health care. She continued to work under MNSURE in the policy domain, helping to negotiate health packages with some of our largest insurance providers, ensuring quality, affordable options, helping to steer millions to the marketplace. Now, as COO of Twin Cities Health Services on Lake and Hennepin, Anquam provides a range of adult rehabilitative mental health services, therapy, and substance use services, helping a diverse range of people on their healing journey as they navigate stigma, and an often underfunded and understaffed healthcare environment. While healthcare is just one piece of the puzzle to achieving equitable outcomes in our communities, Anquam knows that all Minnesotans are looking for the same assurances when they lay their head down at night: access to equal and fair Health Care, Education, Affordable Housing, Clean Air and Water, and a bright future for their families. She is running to collaborate with all residents of 62B to make this a reality.

Samantha Sencer-Mura is an educator, a working mom, a local community leader, a fourth generation Japanese American, and the State Representative for district 63A in South Minneapolis. She attended Minneapolis public schools, where she witnessed deep disparities in the education system. Ever since, Samantha has been fighting for educational justice for students of color, including working as an educator. From 2017 to 2022, she was the Executive Director at educational non-profit, 826 MSP. During her time there, the organization served thousands of Twin Cities students through free in-school and out-of-school writing, publishing, and leadership programs. Samantha was elected to the Minnesota State House in 2022 as part of the DFL trifecta which passed sweeping reproductive justice policies. During her time in office, she was the lead author for the Ethnic Studies for all bill which ensures that students across Minnesota will have access to culturally relevant curriculum. She is running for office in 2024 to continue to be a champion for reproductive justice policies such as expanding healthcare access, funding abortion care, and ensuring students across the state have access to comprehensive sexual education.

Emma Greenman is running for re-election to the Minnesota State House representing the South Minneapolis District 63B. As a state representative, and throughout her career, Emma is working to build a democracy and an economy that centers the needs of kids, families, communities and those too often left at the margins. Emma is a national voting rights lawyer and has worked around the country on the front lines of the fight to defend our embattled democracy and ensure that people, not big corporations or wealthy interests, are the ones calling the shots. She believes that to make progress on critical issues — education, reproductive justice, climate change, economic justice, racial equity, healthcare — people and communities need power and agency in their lives and our democracy. As a state representative, Emma is leading the fight to expand the power of Minnesotans in our democracy and our economy. In 2023, she co-founded the nation’s first Inclusive Democracy Caucus in the Minnesota Legislature and authored the Democracy for the People Act, a landmark bill that protects the freedom to vote, gets big money out of politics, and strengthens inclusive, multi-racial gender-inclusive democracy in Minnesota. She passed legislation expanding the economic security and workplace safety for Minnesota workers, protecting access to contraception in Minnesota, and creating the Minnesota Climate Innovation Finance Authority to drive state investments in rapidly expanding an equitable transition to a clean energy future. When re-elected, she will continue to build the power of us – in South Minneapolis and across the state – to build a Minnesota where everyone thrives, no exceptions.

I am an unapologetically pro-choice woman. I was born in a global south country where women have little to no rights. Patriarchy and misogyny meant women’s bodies did not belong to them. They had no freedom to choose for themselves what they wanted for that body. My family fought in a secret war to defend American democracy and freedom so that I could choose a life that no woman before me from my culture could have ever imagined. They made incredible sacrifices so that I could obtain an education, decide who I wanted to marry, determine how many kids I wanted and pursue a profession that I was passionate about. I have two daughters, and I am invested in protecting democracy and freedom for them and the future generations of women and people who have uteruses. As the House Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus and Chief author of the Equal Rights Amendment, I will work to ensure bodily autonomy is protected in Minnesota’s constitution.

Representative María Isa Pérez-Vega is a lifelong Minnesotan, raised on the West Side of Saint Paul, the community she now represents. Representative Perez-Vega is a cultural community organizer, international recording artist, and youth worker running for the Minnesota House of Representatives District 65B. María Isa served as Director of the mentorship program for the Twin Cities Mobile Jazz Project which empowers young people through music and a cultural curriculum. She also serves on the Capitol Area Architectural and Planning Board Public Engagement Advisory Task Force, working to ensure the Capitol is a welcoming space for community. A Type 1 diabetic and insulin organizer, she has been a prominent leader in the fight for affordable health care in Minnesota. In April 2020, she played an integral role in advocating for the passage of the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act, and she continues her leadership within the Minnesota #Insulin4all Chapter. She is an alumni of the prestigious Wilder Foundation Community Equity Program, which brings together Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to advance their knowledge and skills to build community power and solidarity at the Capitol. For her outstanding work with Youthrive Live!, educating incarcerated youth throughout the state of Minnesota, She received the National Hispana Leadership Institute’s “Rising Latina Star” award.

Representative Leigh Finke proudly represents District 66A (Saint Paul, Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, Roseville). She grew up in the western suburbs of the Twin Cities, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Bethel College and a Master of Arts in Lit. from DePaul University. From 2018 to 2021, Finke was the senior producer at 1517 Media. She joined ACLU of Minnesota in 2021 as Multimedia Storyteller. In 2021 and 2022, Finke worked as Multimedia Storyteller for the ACLU of Minnesota, where she was a strong advocate for reproductive justice and trans and queer rights. In 2022, Finke was elected for the first time, becoming the first out trans legislator elected to the Minnesota Legislature, where she continued to champion abortion and gender affirming care, successfully leading the fight to make Minnesota a Trans Refuge state.

Minnesota State Representative Athena Hollins represents District 66B in Saint Paul and served as the Majority Whip of the House DFL party and Vice Chair of the Rules and Legislative Administration Committee. In her tenure at the legislature, she has been a champion for climate and energy justice, affordable housing, education for all Minnesotan children, criminal justice reform, and investing in our BIPOC communities. As a founding co-leader of the MN Reproductive Freedom caucus Athena is dedicated to protecting and enhancing reproductive rights for all Minnesotans. As a member of the Queer Caucus and a founding member of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, Athena knows that sexual health and reproductive issues have tremendous intersectionality that must be purposefully and thoughtfully addressed. Athena believes that effective, inclusive lawmaking can make Minnesota better for all of us.

Kaozouapa “Liz” Lee was the first woman to ever represent Minnesota House District 67A. This is a distinction that she does not take lightly. In her first term, she helped enact legislation to protect an individual’s right to an abortion. Liz spent a decade advocating for policies that benefit working families in Minnesota and across the country like affordable housing, education equity, health equity, and increased access to public transit. She is running for re-election to continue protecting every Minnesotan’s right to decide on their own when and how they want to start their family.

Julie Jeppson has lived in Blaine for over 20 years and spent this time, with her husband Nate, raising two amazing children into two remarkable adults. For over 15 years, Julie has committed her time and energy towards improving the lives of those who live, work, and play in her community. She is a true public servant, who leads with honesty, integrity, and transparency.

Mandy Meisner became an Anoka County Commissioner in 2019 and is finishing her second term in office. Her predecessors, Al and Jim Kordiak, were a father and son team that together, held office for 64 years. Thanks to an incredible campaign team and the voters, Mandy became the first person of color on the Anoka County Board and the first Asian American County Commissioner in the state of Minnesota. Mandy’s background is community service and the arts. She is a connector, collaborator and creative at heart! She continues to be active in the community and uses her experience to be a strong advocate for her District. She has lived in Fridley for over 20 years and has two teenagers who attend Fridley High School. As a County Commissioner some of the issues she has worked on: public health, children and family services, mental health and addiction, homelessness, cybersecurity, workforce development and diversity and inclusion.

As the District 5 Commissioner, Debbie represents Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Richfield, and part of Southwest Minneapolis on the Hennepin County Board. She lives in Richfield, where she was first elected Mayor in 2006 and re-elected in 2010 and 2014. A methodical thinker, Debbie had a successful career as an engineer in environmental and sustainability fields. She earned her engineering degree from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and completed graduate studies in environmental sustainability at the University of Minnesota and Harvard. In the private sector, Debbie worked for companies such as Medtronic, Montgomery Watson, and Weyerhaeuser. Debbie was elected to her first term as a Hennepin County Commissioner in November 2016 and won a second term in 2020; she is currently in the fourth and final year of that term. Her colleagues describe her as a problem solver and regional thinker with a big vision. She is tough and decisive, yet caring and collaborative. Debbie listens to all sides of issues, understands complexity, and seeks common ground to advance challenging issues.

Heather Edelson is a State Representative that represents Edina and a portion of Bloomington. Heather was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2018 and serves on ways and means, Environment, Human Service Policy and Education Finance. Heather is a former mental health therapist and a candidate for Hennepin County Commissioner

Tara Jebens-Singh is running for Ramsey County Commissioner in District 1which serves Arden Hills, Gem Lake, Mounds View, North Oaks, Shoreview, Vadnais Heights, White Bear Township, and parts of Spring Lake Park and Blaine. Tara grew up in a small town in Northern Wisconsin, the daughter of a civil engineer and public health nurse. She has lived in suburban Ramsey County for over thirty years and raised two sons with her husband RJ. Tara has master’s degrees in Planning and Human Development and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Organizational Development and Change. She has worked in public policy, wellness, education, equity, older adult, and mental health programs for over 25 years. Her most recent role was President and CEO of Northeast Youth & Family Services. Tara is a dedicated advocate for accessible, affordable, quality, culturally-responsive, age-friendly, and gender-affirming health and human services. She is deeply rooted in the community with a long history of civic engagement. As the primary caregiver for aging parents and children with chronic conditions, she understands the struggles many families have in negotiating complex, often inadequate and unsympathetic systems and is passionate about centering the voices of those most impacted by the County’s work.

Kelly Miller is a homeowner in Maplewood with her fiancé and two children. As enrolled members of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, she grew up in a loving family in Onamia, outside the Mille Lacs Reservation.She pursued her education, graduating from Saint Paul College and now enrolled at the University of Minnesota, she also found an internship program that has over time developed into an amazing career with Interfaith Action. Currently, Kelly is the Director of the Department of Indian Work at Interfaith Action of Greater Saint Paul, overseeing four program areas that include a food shelf, out-of-school time youth program, diabetes education, and an economic mobility hub. Kelly loves being a part of the community, helping meet community members’ needs, and advocating for those that need a helping hand or a step up to live their best lives. After facing significant personal and financial challenges, she utilized county services to improve her overall quality of life. Her journey is a testament to the positive impact that well-structured community support can have on an individual and family in need.

Ashley Grimm has served as the 3rd District St. Louis County Commissioner since 2021. Ashley has focused full-time on supporting community projects and helping to build trust in local government. She has brought historic county investment into the western half of Duluth and led the charge on broad county changes such as replacing the for-profit health care in the jail with a local non-profit provider and helping create a Community Crisis Response Team to respond to mental health emergencies. She serves as the Chair of the County Board’s Public Safety Committee and also serves on the county’s Opioid Settlement Committee. In her first term she was selected by the Association of Minnesota Counties to serve on the National Association of Counties’ Community and Economic Workforce Development Committee.

Amáda Márquez Simula, serving as Mayor of Columbia Heights, MN, since January 2021, stands as a trailblazer, being the first person of color elected to office in the city and the second Latina mayor in the state. Beyond symbolic representation, Amáda is dedicated to fostering unity and progress in one of Minnesota’s most culturally diverse cities by streamlining communication between various communities and government entities. She actively works to remove antiquated barriers and update policies to ensure equity for all residents, advocating tirelessly for renters, people of color, immigrants, youth, LGBTQIA+ individuals, elders, and those with accessibility needs. Amáda’s leadership is characterized by her unwavering commitment to public health and safety, sustainability, and technology, driving her to make informed, fearless, and creative decisions that propel Columbia Heights toward a brighter, more inclusive future. Furthermore, Amáda prioritizes encouraging women and femme-presenting people across all facets of the city’s life, whether they are students, volunteers, or elders. She staunchly supports and empowers women to utilize their voices, demanding they be heard, respected, and included in decision-making processes. This commitment to gender equity underscores Amáda’s vision for a community where everyone, regardless of gender, can thrive and contribute to the city’s success.

Cara Schulz is a sitting City Council Member for Burnsville, MN, passionately serving her community with a focus on equity and inclusion. As a staunch advocate for women’s rights and reproductive freedom, she is a trusted ally for pro-choice women seeking a representative who truly understands their needs. Cara’s background as a USAF veteran, where she served as a military journalist during Desert Storm and Desert Shield, underscores her commitment to service and integrity. She brings this dedication to her role on the City Council, where she has championed significant policy successes. These include creating a citizens task force to rewrite the city code for greater equity and clarity, implementing a participatory budgeting pilot program that empowers residents with a direct say in financial decisions, and establishing a behavioral health unit to address mental health crises and drug overdoses with compassion rather than law enforcement intervention.

Shelle Page is a 25 year resident of Brooklyn Park and active community member of Brooklyn Park’s Central District, running for City Council in the 2024 election. With a deep commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all residents, Shelle brings over 30 years of professional experience as a Mortgage Consultant, where she has built a reputation for trust, integrity, and a dedication to helping others achieve their dreams. She raised her two daughters in District #279 and is deeply committed to First Responders and their specialized needs. She is an active board member of Minneapolis Women’s Rotary, a Non Profit that works with women, children and families.

In addition to her professional expertise, Shelle has been an advocate for community engagement, focusing on issues such as housing affordability, neighborhood safety, and local business support. Her approach to leadership is rooted in collaboration, transparency, and a genuine desire to listen to and serve her neighbors. As a City Council candidate, Shelle aims to bring fresh perspectives to the table, prioritizing initiatives that reflect the diverse needs of the Central District.

Shelle’s platform emphasizes sustainable development, enhanced public services, and fostering a strong sense of community across Brooklyn Park. Her campaign is driven by the belief that when residents are empowered and their voices are heard, the entire city thrives.

With her deep community ties and a proven track record of service, Shelle Page is poised to be a strong advocate for the Central District on the Brooklyn Park City Council.

Laurel Deneen’s vision for Columbia Heights is centered around equitable and sustainable development, ensuring that family owned businesses and residents are key players in the city’s future growth. She advocates for maintaining the vitality of local businesses and expanding diverse housing opportunities. Her commitment to the community is evident through her involvement in organizing Columbia Heights PRIDE, the Mayor’s , monarch festival, and volunteering at Valleyview elementary school with Every Meal. Serving on the Columbia Heights city planning commission, she applies her professional expertise to important city development issues.

Carolyn Jackson was first elected to the Edina City Council in 2020 and is running for re-election. Prior to serving on the City Council, Ms. Jackson worked as a lobbyist, advocating for voting rights, civil liberties and cities. A licensed attorney, she holds a B.A. from Northwestern University and a J.D. with honors from the University of Michigan and has worked as a municipal finance attorney. She has served in leadership in several local community organizations, and she currently serves as Chair of the Minnesota Cities Climate Coalition, as a steering committee member of City Leaders Against Wage Theft, and District 6 representative on the Hennepin County Capital Budget Task Force.

Nikki Villavicencio (she/her/sha) is a Disabled Filipinx who has used her life experiences to shape her unconventional path to leadership. Whether it’s fighting fiercely for Minnesota’s first legislation to proactively support disabled parents or joining forces with union workers to create one of Minnesota’s largest unions, Nikki works collaboratively. Passion and drive are definitely what moves politics, but Nikki believes that good governance that is community centered is the key to leadership.

Kim Nelson is the current Plymouth Ward 1 Council Member. She works as the MN Deputy Government Affairs Director for the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters where she works to deter labor exploitation and human trafficking in the construction industry. She is a strong advocate for all human rights and wants to make sure that Plymouth is a welcoming city for all. She has a history of volunteering to help elect Women Winning candidates in MN.

Kirsten L. Buscher is a dedicated public servant with a strong background in law, community advocacy, and economic development. She is currently pursuing her Juris Doctorate at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, where she has been actively involved in various leadership roles, including serving as Board Secretary for the Native American Law Student Association. Kirsten has a deep commitment to advancing the rights and opportunities of marginalized communities, drawing from her extensive experience in legal externships and her role as Executive Director of the Minnesota American Indian Chamber of Commerce. In this position, she has focused on strategic planning, community engagement, and fostering partnerships that promote economic prosperity for Native American businesses. Kirsten’s campaign is rooted in the principles of public safety, sustainable local development, and preserving the unique rural charm of her community. Her passion for social justice, combined with her legal expertise and hands-on experience in community-building, make her a strong advocate for inclusive policies that benefit all residents.

Julie and her family have lived in Roseville for over 20 years. Julie has a Master’s degree in Teaching/Education. In her career, Julie has started small businesses, served as Operations Director for a nonprofits, taught in public, private and charter schools, and directed choirs. Currently, she serves as Human Resources Director for a healthcare organization. This varied career allows her to understand a variety of perspectives with the ability to work for residents, city staff, and city businesses and their employees.

Nadia Elnagdy is a public servant, a working mom, and a first generation Egyptian-American. Since graduating from law school in 2010, Nadia has worked as an Assistant Hennepin County Attorney. There, she spent over a decade prosecuting violent offenses with a specialty in crimes against children, before leaving the courtroom in 2020 to step into the role of Director for the County Attorney’s Expungement Program. As Director, Nadia has worked diligently to eliminate the barriers that stop eligible members of our community from seeking to have their records cleared. By focusing on equity, Nadia has transformed the expungement process in Hennepin County and has become a leading subject matter expert in the state. Growing up the child of immigrants gave her invaluable perspective and a deeply embedded tendency toward balance. She is running in 2024 to center the voices, perspectives, and concerns of residents who have been have been underrepresented in our community.

Tami Calhoun has served our community as a teacher for 34 years. She is a local and international business owner. She is a member of a local church where she has served as an elder for 20 years. She understands our community’s needs through her leadership with youth sports, non-profit ISAIAH/GRIP, St. Cloud’s Community Policing/Stearns’ County Sheriff agreements, and the St. Cloud Education Rights Advocacy Council. She is dedicated, focused, and has a record of service.

Sarah Starling is running for Waite Park City Council. She has served the community on the Civil Service Board for 9 years and wants to continue to serve in a greater capacity. Sarah wants to support her the people in her community by ensuring we are meeting everyone where they are and making sure all growth is sustainable for the current residents of the area while simultaneously attracting new residents.

Lisa Eng-Sarne is a lifelong Minnesotan who has served on the West St. Paul City Council for six years. She is seeking re-election on November 5th to keep the forward momentum the city has seen during her time in office. Lisa has been honored to serve as West St. Paul Public Safety Chair, Vice President of the Economic Development Authority, and Chair of the Smith/Dodd Revitalization Committee. Her state government experience (six years on staff at the Minnesota Legislature), project management, conflict resolution, and public relations experience help her bridge division, make sound decisions for her community, and find results for her constituents. Lisa graduated from the College of Saint Benedict where she earned degrees in communication and peace studies, providing her with the framework to be a unifier who builds strong relationships in our community and with our partners. She attributes her toughness, strength in working as a team, and ability to think on her feet to 12 years of leadership on the roller derby track. Lisa works hard to heighten West St. Paul’s visibility, increasing economic development and advocating for public art. She has enjoyed serving on the League of Minnesota Cities Improving Local Economies Committee and the League of Minnesota Cities Cannabis Subcommittee. Lisa looks forward to serving West St. Paul for another four years!

Mary is a tireless community organizer who loves to create positive change for her community. Before being elected to the Columbia Heights School Board in 2020, Mary could be found volunteering in the classroom, founding community groups to make roads around the community safer, and supporting local candidates for election. Mary has been married to her husband for 20 years and they have lived in Columbia Heights with their two children for the last 18 years. When not serving the community, she is busy working in her private practice as a Child and Family Therapist. A proud Social Worker, Mary believes in the power of community to come together and make the impossible possible. In her scant off time, she enjoys reading and playing board games with her family and friends.

Michelle Pettway is a wife and mother of one daughter who attends North Park School for Innovation in Columbia Heights Public Schools and can often be found at any school or community event. Michelle was initially appointed to a vacant school board seat in late 2022 and was later elected in a 2023 special election to complete that vacant seats term. Michelle has brought representation to the Columbia Heights School District as the first American Black Woman to run and serve on its school board and her work on the board has allowed her to continue providing a unique and relevant perspective that also represents much of the community. As a volunteer and active community participant, Michelle has become an ally and advocate for many other community voices. In her time before becoming a school board member, Michelle helped to start and still serves as a Parent Facilitator of the BIPOC Family Advisory Committee at her daughters school and is often a part of informed decision making that helps to improve the school district both inside and outside of the board room. Michelle firmly believes in advocacy, equity, inclusion, and restorative practices and hopes to further aid in the fight to raise all voices so that they can be a part of the growth of their own community.

Corenia brings a strong potential to enhance the Columbia Heights School District. As a School Board candidate, she is dedicated to fostering a collaborative environment, advancing educational equity, and providing robust support for our educators. Corenia is running for office with a commitment to working alongside students, families, and teachers to develop supportive learning environments where students can flourish. She looks forward to engaging with residents, discussing ideas to promote equity in our school system, and serving as a strong advocate for our community. Her vision is to empower children to grow into compassionate, knowledgeable leaders, inspiring futures filled with possibilities and success. With a background in nursing and a passion for reproductive justice, Corenia skillfully operates at the intersection of policy, politics, and health equity. Her professional experience is deeply rooted in collaboration, and she embraces the spirit of grassroots power-building. Corenia’s mission extends to helping organizations navigate the multifaceted challenges of our time, from the practical work of organizing and facilitating meaningful convenings to broad coalition-building for collective wellbeing. She’s dedicated to combining knowledge in social, clinical, and political determinants of health to build and co-create healthier communities where everyone can thrive. Outside of her professional pursuits, Corenia enjoys spending quality time with her family, savoring lemonade and movies.

Helen Bassett is a five-time re-elected school board member, serving on the Robbinsdale school board, since 2002. Ms. Bassett is committed to work that impacts public health practice, violence prevention and survivor services through convening, training, and advocacy. Bassett is the founder of several non-profits. She is the co-founder of the Minnesota School Board Directors of Color & Indigenous Fellowship (SBDOCI, 2016); Founder of the Education Partnership Institute (2019); Catalyst, a Program for Women, (1980-2007) and as founding board member of the National Coalition of Survivors for Violence Prevention, Inc. (1998-2024). Bassett is a summa cum laude graduate, with a BPA, in Public Service Leadership. During her service on the Robbinsdale school board, she has served on many district committees, and in each officer position. Bassett served on the West Metro Education Program (WMEP) Joint Powers Board with other suburban directors, for 11 consecutive years. There, she served as chairwoman for four years. Bassett also served two terms on the Intermediate District 287 Joint Powers Board. Bassett’s experience with facility was gained during the construction of the Int. 287 South Education Facility, as well as the Robbinsdale planning, construction and opening of Forest Elementary in Crystal. Bassett is a former member of the Minnesota Department of Education, Integration Revenue Replacement Task Force, jointly working to secure state-wide funding for teacher professional development and services in Integration and achievement. Bassett has presented locally and nationally on education policy, practices on the needs related to student success through education policy.

I live in Eagan with my husband, son, and our two dogs. As a parent to a fifth grader who has flourished in District 196, I’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of our schools. His teachers and the staff have been pillars of support, guiding him through challenges in reading and fostering his social growth. In my day job, I dedicate myself to advancing anti-hunger initiatives statewide. Unfortunately, food insecurity and economic hardship are at an all-time high and our communities are no exception. I am proud to have served on the District 196 Foundation board, which is helping to eliminate barriers to learning including access to food, books and band equipment. My educational journey includes earning a business degree from the University of St. Thomas and a Master of Public Policy from the Humphrey Institute. I am also a proud alumni of Voices for Racial Justice, which has deepened my understanding of how to advance equity and systems change. In both my professional and personal community involvement, I am driven by a commitment to inclusion and compassion for all. I am running for school board because I want to bring this passion to ensuring every student in our district can thrive and achieve their full potential.