Steve Cwodzinski

Steve Cwodzinski
Member of the Minnesota Senate
from the 49th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2017
Preceded byDavid Hann
Personal details
Born (1958-09-08) September 8, 1958 (age 66)
Superior, Wisconsin
Political partyDemocratic (DFL)
SpousePatti
Children2
ResidenceEden Prairie
Alma materUniversity of Minnesota

Steve A. Cwodzinski (/swɒdˈzɪnski/ swod-ZIN-skee;[1] born September 8, 1958) is an American politician and member of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), he represents District 49, including Eden Prairie and Minnetonka, in the western Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Early life, education, and career

Cwodzinski was born and raised in Superior, Wisconsin.[2][3] He attended the University of Minnesota, graduating with a bachelor's degree in education and, later, a master's degree in education.

Cwodzinski spent more than 30 years teaching government and history classes at Eden Prairie High School. He was recognized with the Presidential Scholar's Influential Teacher Award for his work in the classroom.[4][5] He published a book, Beyond the Lesson Plan, about the lessons he learned during his years in the classroom.[6]

Minnesota Senate

Cwodzinski was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2016, defeating incumbent David Hann, the Republican minority leader, in an extremely close race.[7] He served Minnesota Senate District 48 until redistricting in 2022.

Cwodzinski was reelected in 2022 in District 49 with 62.3% of the vote, defeating Marla Helseth.[8]

Cwodzinski chairs the Minnesota Senate Education Policy Committee. He is also serving on the following committees during the 2023-24 93rd legislature:[9]

  • Education Finance
  • Elections
  • State and Local Government and Veterans

Personal life

Cwodzinski and his wife, Patti, have two children and two grandchildren and live in Eden Prairie.[10] A self-proclaimed outdoors enthusiast, Cwodzinski has traveled to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness almost every summer since 1979.[11]

References

  1. ^ "Senate Members' Pronunciation". Minnesota Legislature. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  2. ^ "Cwodzinski, Steve". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  3. ^ Bierschbach, Briana (July 25, 2016). "Could trains and Trump decide one of Minnesota's most watched state Senate contests?". MinnPost. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  4. ^ "About". Steve Cwodzinski for Senate. Retrieved 2020-01-06.
  5. ^ Steve Cwodzinski - From Superior to the Senate, retrieved 2020-01-06
  6. ^ Cwodzinski, Steve (6 February 2020). Beyond the Lesson Plan: 33 Questions Inspired by 33 Years of Teaching. ISBN 978-1950743193.
  7. ^ Van Berkel, Jessie (2016-11-09). "GOP appears to have won Minnesota Senate by one seat; two races could trigger recounts". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2020-01-21.
  8. ^ "Index - Election Results".
  9. ^ "MN State Senate". www.senate.mn. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  10. ^ Dexter, Patty. "Q&A: Senate District 48 DFL candidate Steve Cwodzinski (part 2)". SWNewsMedia.com. Retrieved 2020-01-21.
  11. ^ Miner, Sean (October 16, 2016). "Voters guide: Hann, Cwodzinski face off in Senate District 48 race". Sun Current. ECM Publishers. Retrieved December 16, 2016.