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    Winkler, Ryan

    Sessions Served    Other Information

    House 2007-2012 (District 44B); House 2013-2015 (District 46A); House 2019-2022 (District 46A)

    Party when first elected:  Democratic-Farmer-Labor

    Counties Served:  Hennepin

    BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

    Date of Birth: 12/30/1975
    Birth Place: Bemidji, Minnesota
    Birth County: Beltrami
    Birth Country: United States
    Date of Death:
    Gender: Male
    Religion: Lutheran
    Reported Minority: None Reported
    Other Names:
    City of Residence (when first elected): Golden Valley
    Occupation (when first elected): Attorney; General Counsel, Nazca Solutions, Software Development Company

    EDUCATION

    Harvard College; A.B.; History, 1998
    University of Minnesota, Law School; J.D.; 2001

    OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

    Municipal Board/Commission: St. Louis Park, Minnesota (City Charter Commission); [Dates Unknown]

    FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

    Spouse: Jenny (when first elected)
    Children: Three children: Edward "Teddy," Isaac, and August (sons)
    Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

    GENERAL NOTES

    He was of Norwegian ancestry.

    In 2018, he ran for attorney general but he withdrew from the race.

    He ran for Hennepin County Attorney in 2022, but lost in the primary.

    Religion provided by the 2006 WCCO TV Voter's Guide.

    Most recent term photo
    Click to view
    Total Days Served: 4558

    SESSIONS SERVED

    92nd Legislative Session (2021-2022)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 46A
    Elected: 11/3/2020
    Residence: Golden Valley
    Term of Office: 1/5/2021 to 1/2/2023
    Counties Represented: Hennepin
    Occupation: Attorney
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Special Session Bills Authored:     2021 1st Sp.S. - Author
    Committees:
    • Rules and Legislative Administration (Chair) Minutes
    Leadership Position: Majority Leader
    term photo
    Click to view

    91st Legislative Session (2019-2020)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 46A
    Elected: 11/6/2018
    Residence: Golden Valley
    Term of Office: 1/8/2019 to 1/4/2021
    Counties Represented: Hennepin
    Occupation: Attorney
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Special Session Bills Authored:  2019 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author    2019 1st Sp.S. - Author
    2020 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author    2020 1st Sp.S. - Author
    2020 2nd Sp.S. - Chief Author    2020 2nd Sp.S. - Author
    2020 4th Sp.S. - Chief Author    2020 4th Sp.S. - Author
    2020 5th Sp.S. - Chief Author    2020 5th Sp.S. - Author
    2020 6th Sp.S. - Chief Author    2020 6th Sp.S. - Author
    2020 7th Sp.S. - Chief Author    2020 7th Sp.S. - Author
    Committees:
    • Rules and Legislative Administration (Chair) Minutes
    • Ways & Means: State Government Finance Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
    Leadership Position: Majority Leader
    term photo
    Click to view

    89th Legislative Session (2015-2016)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 46A
    Elected: 11/4/2014
    Residence: Golden Valley
    Term of Office: 1/6/2015 to 7/1/2015 (unfinished term)
    Counties Represented: Hennepin
    Occupation: Attorney
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Education Innovation Policy Minutes [He was a member in 2015 only.]
    • Higher Education Policy & Finance Minutes [He was a member in 2015 only.]
    • Public Safety and Crime Prevention Policy & Finance Minutes [He was a member in 2015 only.]
    Reason for unfinished term: Resigned
    Session Notes: He resigned to move to Brussels, Belgium with his family where his wife has a business opportunity.
    term photo
    Click to view

    88th Legislative Session (2013-2014)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 46A
    Elected: 11/6/2012
    Residence: Golden Valley
    Term of Office: 1/8/2013 to 1/5/2015
    Counties Represented: Hennepin
    Occupation: Attorney
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Special Session Bills Authored:     2013 1st Sp.S. - Author
    Committees:
    • Civil Law Minutes
    • Civil Law: Data Practices Subcommittee Minutes
    • Early Childhood and Youth Development Policy Minutes
    • Elections Minutes
    • Government Operations Minutes
    • Higher Education Finance and Policy Minutes
    term photo
    Click to view

    87th Legislative Session (2011-2012)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 44B
    Elected: 11/2/2010
    Residence: Golden Valley
    Term of Office: 1/4/2011 to 1/7/2013
    Counties Represented: Hennepin
    Occupation: Attorney, Lawyer
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Special Session Bills Authored:  2011 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author    2011 1st Sp.S. - Author
    Committees:
    • Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance: Legacy Funding Division Minutes
    • Government Operations and Elections Minutes
    • State Government Finance Minutes
    term photo
    Click to view

    86th Legislative Session (2009-2010)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 44B
    Elected: 11/4/2008
    Residence: Golden Valley
    Term of Office: 1/6/2009 to 1/3/2011
    Counties Represented: Hennepin
    Occupation: Attorney, Lawyer
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Finance Minutes
    • Finance: Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division: Bioscience and Workforce Development Policy and Oversight Division Minutes
    • Finance: State Government Finance Division Minutes
    • Rules and Legislative Administration Minutes
    • State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections Minutes
    • State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections: Local Government Division Minutes
    term photo
    Click to view

    85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 44B
    Elected: 11/7/2006
    Residence: Golden Valley
    Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 1/5/2009
    Counties Represented: Hennepin
    Occupation: Attorney; General Counsel, Nazca Solutions, Software Development Company
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Biosciences and Emerging Technology Minutes
    • Finance: Education Finance and Economic Competitiveness Finance Division: Early Childhood Learning Finance Division Minutes
    • Finance: State Government Finance Division Minutes
    • Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections Minutes
    • Rules and Legislative Administration Minutes
    term photo
    Click to view

    OTHER INFORMATION

    Session Interviews
    Session Interview (Video) 2022 House Interview

    Session Interview (Video) 2008 House Interview

    Session Interview (Video) 2007 House Interview


    Video
    Session Preview (Video) 2021

    Session Preview (Video) 2020


    Articles & Books About
    Hegman, Sonja. "Building For All: Winkler Wants to Give Everyone the Chance to Succeed." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, February 9, 2007, p. 18.


    District Files

    District File - 2007 District 44B
    District File - 2008 District 44B
    District File - 2009 District 44B
    These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.

    The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library has collected newspaper articles on legislators since 1973. They are available in the Library.

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