Melisa López Franzen

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

Melisa López Franzen
Minority Leader of the Minnesota Senate
In office
September 14, 2021 – January 3, 2023
Preceded bySusan Kent
Succeeded byMark Johnson
Member of the Minnesota Senate
from the 49th district
In office
January 8, 2013 – January 3, 2023
Preceded byGeoff Michel (41st district)
Succeeded bySteve Cwodzinski
Personal details
Born
Melisa López Aquino

(1980-06-09) June 9, 1980
Aguadilla, Puerto Rico
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Nathan
​
(m. 2006)​
Children2
EducationInteramerican University, San Germán (BA)
University of Minnesota (MPP)
Hamline University (JD)

Early life, education, and career

Franzen was born and raised in Aguadilla, 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]

In 2022, after new legislative maps put Franzen in the same district as a colleague, Franzen announced she would not run for reelection.[4]

Personal life

Franzen has been married to Nathan Franzen since January 14, 2006.[5] They have two children and reside in Edina, Minnesota.[6]

References
  1. "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. "Senate DFL Leader Melisa Lopez Franzen won't seek reelection". kare11.com. February 23, 2022. Retrieved 2022-03-08.
  5. "Melisa Aquino – Nathan Franzen". Morrison County Record. April 5, 2006. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  6. "Franzen, Melisa". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
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