Kari Dziedzic


Kari Dziedzic is a Minnesota politician and member of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, 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, her alma mater.

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. Her brother is retired NHL player Joe Dziedzic. She attended Edison High School in Minneapolis, and received a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota.
Dziedzic entered politics as an aide for U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone. Afterwards, she worked for Hennepin County, first as communications director for the Hennepin County Attorney, then as a policy aide for County Commissioner Mark Stenglein.
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, which was settled out of court.

Minnesota Senate

Dziedzic was elected in a special election on January 10, 2012 and was re-elected in November 2012. Dziedzic succeeded former Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, who had resigned to take a position in the administration of Governor Mark Dayton.