Melisa Franzen

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Melisa Franzen
Melisa Franzen (cropped).jpg
Minority Leader of the Minnesota Senate
Assumed office
September 14, 2021
Preceded bySusan Kent
Member of the Minnesota Senate
from the 49th district
Assumed office
January 8, 2013
Preceded byGeoff Michel (41st district)
Personal details
Born
Melisa López Aquino

(1980-06-09) June 9, 1980 (age 41)
Political partyDemocratic (DFL)
Spouse(s)
Nathan
​
(m. 2006)​
Children2
ResidenceEdina, Minnesota
EducationInteramerican University, San Germán (BA)
University of Minnesota (MPP)
Hamline University (JD)

Melisa López Franzen (née López Aquino, born 1980) is an American politician and member of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), she represents District 49 in the southwest Twin Cities metropolitan area, serving the Minneapolis suburbs of Edina, Eden Prairie, Bloomington, and Minnetonka.

Early life, education, and career[]

Franzen was raised in Puerto Rico.[1] She attended the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico and graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science. She later attended the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, graduating in 2003 with a Master of Public Policy in economic development, and Hamline University School of Law, graduating in 2006 with a Juris Doctor[2]

For eight years, Franzen was an attorney at Target Corporation, where she held various positions in government affairs and community relations. She co-founded and is president of the Minneapolis-based public relations firm New Publica.[1]

Minnesota Senate[]

Franzen was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2012 and reelected in 2016 and 2020. She serves on the Finance, Human Services Reform Finance and Policy, and as Ranking Minority Chair of the Commerce and Consumer Protection Finance and Policy Committee.[3]

Personal life[]

Franzen has been married to Nathan Franzen since January 14, 2006.[4] They have two children and reside in Edina, Minnesota.[5]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "About Melisa". Melisa Franzen For Senate. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
  2. ^ Gauthier, Ryan (August 29, 2012). "Melisa Franzen, Democratic Candidate for State Senate District 49". Edina Patch. Archived from the original on May 24, 2013. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  3. ^ "MN State Senate". www.senate.mn. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  4. ^ "Melisa Aquino – Nathan Franzen". Morrison County Record. April 5, 2006. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  5. ^ "Franzen, Melisa". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved December 12, 2017.

External links[]

Minnesota Senate
Preceded by Minority Leader of the Minnesota Senate
2021–present 		Incumbent
Retrieved from ""