Legislator from Minneapolis
Kari Dziedzic ( DEED -zik ;[ 1] born 1962) is an American politician and member of the Minnesota Senate . A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), she represents District 60, which includes portions of the city of Minneapolis in Hennepin County . Her district is also notable for including part of the University of Minnesota .[ 2] In 2022, she was selected by her caucus to serve as Majority Leader for the 93rd Minnesota Legislature .[ 3] She stepped down from leadership after the first session due to a cancer diagnosis. Before holding elected office, Dziedzic was executive assistant to U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone .
Early life, education, and career
Dziedzic is the daughter of Walt Dziedzic , a longtime Minneapolis City Council member, Minneapolis Park Board member, and police inspector.[ 4] Her brother is retired NHL player Joe Dziedzic .[ 5] She attended Edison High School in Minneapolis, and received a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Minnesota .[ 6]
Dziedzic entered politics as an aide to U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone . Afterward, she worked for Hennepin County , first as communications director for the Hennepin County Attorney, then as a policy aide for County Commissioner Mark Stenglein.[ 7]
In the private sector, Dziedzic was an executive assistant to Minnesota North Stars owner Norm Green . She filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against him in 1993,[ 8] which was settled out of court.[ 9]
Minnesota Senate
Dziedzic was elected in a special election on January 10, 2012, and reelected in November 2012.[ 10] She succeeded former Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller , who had resigned to take a position in the administration of Governor Mark Dayton . Dziedzic was reelected in 2016, 2020, and 2022.
After the DFL retook the Senate majority in the 2022 Minnesota Senate election , Dziedzic was selected to serve as majority leader.[ 11]
On February 2, 2024, Dziedzic announced that she would step down as majority leader due to the return of her cancer.[ 12]
References
^ "Senate Members' Pronunciation" . Minnesota Legislature . Retrieved August 23, 2024 .
^ Minnesota Daily Staff (November 9, 2016). "Sen. Dziedzic re-elected to senate seat in District 60" . mndaily.com - The Minnesota Daily . Retrieved September 19, 2017 .
^ "Minnesota Senate Democrats choose Kari Dziedzic of Minneapolis as new majority leader" . Star Tribune .
^ Grow, Doug (January 11, 2012). "Dziedzic daughter follows Dad's political advice to victory: 'Always run like you're one vote behind' " . MinnPost. Retrieved March 4, 2013 .
^ Olson, Rochelle (November 24, 2018). "Northeast Minneapolis giant Walt Dziedzic dies at 85" . AP NEWS . Retrieved January 31, 2019 .
^ "Senator Kari Dziedzic" . Minnesota Senate DFL . February 11, 2016. Retrieved January 31, 2019 .
^ "Dziedzic, Kari" . Legislators Past & Present . Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved February 25, 2013 .
^ "North Star Owner Sued For Harassment | The Seattle Times" . archive.seattletimes.com . Retrieved April 16, 2020 .
^ "Google Groups" . groups.google.com . Retrieved April 16, 2020 .
^ Who needs New Hampshire? Minneapolis election winners: Susan Allen and Kari Dziedzic
^ "Minnesota Democrats tap Kari Dziedzic as new DFL leader" . CBS News .
^ "Senate majority leader Kari Dziedzic leaving leadership post as cancer returns" . Star Tribune .
External links