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Melisa Franzen

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Melisa Franzen
Democratic Party
Prior offices:
Minnesota State Senate District 49
Years in office: 2013 - 2023
Successor: Steve Cwodzinski (D)
Elections and appointments
Last election
November 3, 2020
Contact
Campaign website
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Melisa Franzen (Democratic Party) was a member of the Minnesota State Senate, representing District 49. She assumed office on January 8, 2013. She left office on January 3, 2023.

Franzen (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. Senate to represent Minnesota. She will not appear on the ballot for the Democratic primary on August 11, 2026.

Franzen was elected state Senate minority leader in September 2021, to replace Susan Kent (D), who had stepped down earlier that month.[1] She served in this role until January 2023.

Committee assignments

2021-2022

Franzen was assigned to the following committees:

2019-2020

Franzen was assigned to the following committees:

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

Minnesota committee assignments, 2017
• Taxes
• Transportation

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Franzen served on the following committees:

2013-2014

At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Franzen served on the following committees:

Minnesota committee assignments, 2013
• Education
• Transportation and Public Safety

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.


Elections

2026

See also: United States Senate election in Minnesota, 2026

United States Senate election in Minnesota, 2026 (August 11 Democratic primary)

United States Senate election in Minnesota, 2026 (August 11 Republican primary)

General election

The primary will occur on August 11, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. Additional general election candidates will be added here following the primary.

General election for U.S. Senate Minnesota

Marisa Simonetti is running in the general election for U.S. Senate Minnesota on November 3, 2026.

Candidate
Image of Marisa Simonetti
Marisa Simonetti (Unaffiliated) Candidate Connection

There are no incumbents in this race.

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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Minnesota

Angie Craig, Peggy Flanagan, and Billy Nord are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Minnesota on August 11, 2026.

Candidate
Image of Angie Craig
Angie Craig
Image of Peggy Flanagan
Peggy Flanagan
Image of Billy Nord
Billy Nord

Incumbents are bolded and underlined.

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. Senate Minnesota

The following candidates are running in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Minnesota on August 11, 2026.

Candidate
Image of Christopher Brooks
Christopher Brooks
Image of Alycia Gruenhagen
Alycia Gruenhagen
Image of David Hann
David Hann
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Submit photo
Raymond Petersen
Image of Mike Ruoho
Mike Ruoho
Image of Adam Schwarze
Adam Schwarze
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Submit photo
Michele Tafoya
Image of Tom Weiler
Tom Weiler
Image of Royce White
Royce White
Image of Mark York
Mark York Candidate Connection

There are no incumbents in this race.

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

2022

See also: Minnesota State Senate elections, 2022

Melisa Franzen did not file to run for re-election.

2020

See also: Minnesota State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for Minnesota State Senate District 49

Incumbent Melisa Franzen defeated Julie Dupré in the general election for Minnesota State Senate District 49 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Melisa Franzen
Melisa Franzen (D)
 
62.8
 
36,149
Image of Julie Dupré
Julie Dupré (R)
 
37.2
 
21,403
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
41

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 57,593
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Minnesota State Senate District 49

Incumbent Melisa Franzen advanced from the Democratic primary for Minnesota State Senate District 49 on August 11, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Melisa Franzen
Melisa Franzen
 
100.0
 
14,895

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 14,895
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Minnesota State Senate District 49

Julie Dupré defeated Jenny Rhoades in the Republican primary for Minnesota State Senate District 49 on August 11, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Julie Dupré
Julie Dupré
 
62.8
 
2,581
Image of Jenny Rhoades
Jenny Rhoades Candidate Connection
 
37.2
 
1,530

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 4,111
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Campaign finance

2016

See also: Minnesota State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Minnesota State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 9, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was May 31, 2016.

Incumbent Melisa Franzen defeated Mike Lehmann in the Minnesota State Senate District 49 general election.[2][3]

Minnesota State Senate, District 49 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Melisa Franzen Incumbent 54.55% 28,273
     Republican Mike Lehmann 45.45% 23,557
Total Votes 51,830
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State


Incumbent Melisa Franzen ran unopposed in the Minnesota State Senate District 49 Democratic primary.[4][5]

Minnesota State Senate, District 49 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party Candidate
    Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Melisa Franzen Incumbent (unopposed)


Mike Lehmann ran unopposed in the Minnesota State Senate District 49 Republican primary.[4][5]

Minnesota State Senate, District 49 Republican Primary, 2016
Party Candidate
    Republican Green check mark transparent.png Mike Lehmann  (unopposed)

2012

See also: Minnesota State Senate elections, 2012

Franzen won election in the 2012 election for Minnesota State Senate District 49. She ran unopposed in the Democratic primary on August 14 and defeated Keith Downey (R) in the general election on November 6, 2012.[6][7]

Minnesota State Senate, District 49, General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngMelisa Franzen 52.8% 26,893
     Republican Keith Downey 47.2% 24,045
Total Votes 50,938

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Melisa Franzen did not complete Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Melisa Franzen did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2016

Franzen's campaign website highlighted the following issues:

“

Education Investment

  • Our education system is the bedrock of Minnesota’s prosperity. A strong education system means a lifetime of success for our children, a capable workforce, an innovative economy, and healthier and safer communities. We must continue to improve the quality and effectiveness of our education system for all learners.
  • Investments in early childhood learning are pivotal to our future.

Healthy Communities

  • A top priority for me is to ensure that seniors and our most vulnerable residents have access to the high-quality care they deserve. While providing these vital services, we must also be accountable for health care spending to make efficient use of our resources. I believe in expanding evidence-based programs like home visiting and supporting basic programs such as the Minnesota Poison Control Center. This session I was the chief author of the Minnesota Stroke System legislation. The Stroke System will save taxpayer dollars and help people live their lives to the fullest.

Transportation Infrastructure

  • Investments in transportation benefit all Minnesotans. Whether you are a business owner that distributes goods or services throughout our state, a cabin owner that travels on weekends, or a daily commuter to work or school. Our transportation system is overdue for investment. I will continue to work to fight for smart investments to maintain and improve the transportation infrastructure that reduces congestion and facilitates the efficient flow of commerce in every corner of the state.

Business Growth

  • As a small business owner and a former Target attorney, I understand the challenges of building a successful business. This is why I authored legislation to reduce business property taxes statewide, lower the unemployment insurance tax, and minimize the burdens of regulation in the business auditing process. I also understand the importance of planning and saving for future economic downturns. That is why I support an automatic reserve in the event of a budget surplus, and authored legislation to include inflation in our state budget forecast.

Environmental Awareness

  • As a Minnesotan, I appreciate the natural beauty that makes this state such a wonderful place to raise a family. Each time we travel to our family cabin, I am reminded that fresh air and clean water are priceless resources that need our stewardship and protection. As your state senator, I voted for the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Bill and the Clean Water Accountability Act to protect these resources so future generations can count on a clean, healthy environment.[8]
 ”
—Melisa Franzen[9]

2012

Franzen's website highlighted the following campaign themes:[10]

Education

  • Excerpt: "I will work to stop the erosion of our education system by promoting innovation, strengthening science and technology education, and working together with teachers and the community so that every child can achieve his or her full potential."

Jobs and the Economy

  • Excerpt: "I will support start-ups and entrepreneurs so they thrive in Minnesota. We must implement a simplified, transparent tax code and streamline the regulatory environment so that business can invest in Minnesota with confidence and predictability. "

Budget and Taxes

  • Excerpt: "I will work for a budget that is balanced and sustainable over the long-term. I will also work to repair our complicated tax system."

Southwest Light Rail Transit

  • Excerpt: "I support the development of the Southwest Light Rail Transit corridor. Light Rail is projected to create 60,000 new jobs along the corridor. The project has a broad base of support in the business community and by five local chambers of commerce."

Healthcare

  • Excerpt: "I will work to move forward an implementation that puts the health and well-being of Minnesotans first. Access to affordable and quality health care, and cost-containment will be my focus."

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Melisa Franzen campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2026* U.S. Senate MinnesotaWithdrew primary$299,376 $299,376
2020Minnesota State Senate District 49Won general$131,683 N/A**
2016Minnesota State Senate, District 49Won $136,770 N/A**
2012Minnesota State Senate, District 49Won $114,622 N/A**
Grand total$682,452 $299,376
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Election Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards, State legislative scorecards in Minnesota

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Minnesota State Legislature in 2022.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Minnesota State Legislature in 2021.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Minnesota State Legislature in 2020.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Minnesota State Legislature in 2019.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Minnesota State Legislature in 2018.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Minnesota State Legislature in 2017.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Minnesota State Legislature in 2016.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Minnesota State Legislature in 2015.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Minnesota State Legislature in 2014.

Below you can find the scorecards found for the Minnesota State Legislature in 2013.

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External links

Candidate

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    Footnotes

    1. ↑ Kare 11, "State Sen. Melisa López Franzen to be next Senate minority leader," September 13, 2021
    2. ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Candidate Filing Search," accessed August 25, 2016
    3. ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "General election results, 2016," accessed December 19, 2016
    4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Minnesota Secretary of State, "Candidate Filings," accessed June 3, 2016
    5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Minnesota Secretary of State, "Minnesota State Primary: Tuesday, August 9, 2016," accessed August 9, 2016
    6. ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "2012 State General Election Candidate Filings," accessed June 25, 2012
    7. ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Minnesota State Canvassing Report - State Primary - Tuesday, August 14, 2012," accessed April 23, 2014
    8. ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
    9. ↑ Melisa Franzen, "Issues," accessed September 21, 2016
    10. ↑ "melisafranzen," Official Campaign Website

    Political offices
    Preceded by
    -     		Minnesota State Senate District 49
    2013-2023    		 Succeeded by
    Steve Cwodzinski (D)


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