Melisa Franzen


Melisa Franzen is an American politician and member of the Minnesota Senate. As a member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, 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. She attended the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico and graduated in 2001 with a B.A. in political science. She later attended the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota, graduating in 2003 with a M.P.P. in economic development, and Hamline University School of Law, graduating in 2006 with a J.D.
Franzen was an attorney at Target Corporation for eight years where she held various positions in Government Affairs and Community Relations. Today, she is co-founder and president of the Minneapolis-based public relations firm New Publica.

Minnesota Senate

Senator Franzen was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2012 and was re-elected in 2016. She currently serves on the Taxes, Health and Human Services Finance and Policy, and the Transportation and Public Safety Finance Committees.

Personal life

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