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Kari Dziedzic, Former Minnesota Senate Majority Leader, Dies at 62

Dziedzic, who consistently found common ground across the aisle, was an active member of NCSL.

By Kelley Griffin  |  January 20, 2025
Kari Dziedzic Minnesota
Dziedzic

Colleagues remember Minnesota Sen. Kari Dziedzic as a rare politician who shunned the limelight and consistently found common ground across the aisle.

Dziedzic died last month after a two-year battle with cancer. She was 62.

She was elected in 2012 to represent District 60, which includes most of northeast and southeast Minneapolis, and served as majority leader until 2023, when she resigned from that role for treatment.

“Kari Dziedzic will be remembered by history as one of the most consequential senators to have served in the Minnesota Senate,” Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL) said during the Senate’s opening session. “She was all about the work, about results—not at all about having the eyes on her or getting credit or—heaven forbid—receiving accolades.”

“Kari Dziedzic will be remembered by history as one of the most consequential senators to have served in the Minnesota Senate.”

—Minnesota Sen. Scott Dibble

As leader of a chamber with a one-vote majority, Dziedzic secured wins on key DFL priorities. But senators in both major parties referred to her hard work and ability as majority leader to listen to both sides.

“It is such a rare thing in this business for someone to absolutely shun the spotlight in favor of doing the work,” Bonnie Westlin, assistant majority leader, said.

Dziedzic followed her father into public service, despite having seen the challenges during his tenure as a Minneapolis City Council member. “I knew the long hours. I knew the phone calls at home. I knew what I was walking into,” she told Minnesota Public Radio News. “But I also knew the opportunity that you have to help other people. And it’s about helping people and making your community better.”

Republican Sen. Karin Housley said her party recognized Dziedzic’s unique style.

“I’ll never forget the day the Senate Democrats elected her as the leader. I thought to myself, ‘Are they serious? Kari Dziedzic as their leader? That’s like a gift to us,’” Housley said. “Our Republican caucus was over the moon because Kari had that rare quality of being able to unite people from all walks of life and both sides of the aisle.”

Senators spoke of how often Dziedzic helped them forge a better bill, find support across the aisle, or just offered encouragement when things were tough.

Sen. Zaynab Mohamed (DFL) recalled getting help even when she launched her campaign.

“She said, ‘Don’t worry about the politics or the loud voices. Do the right thing and people will love that,’” Mohamed said, through tears. “Sen. Dziedzic was the ultimate teammate and public servant, someone who wanted to contribute to all of the work and take none of the credit.”

Sen. Torrey Westrom (R) asked colleagues to follow her lead.

“Let’s all remember how she treated us, and let’s try to carry her tradition on,” Westrom said. “We all have a limited time, and how we treat people is going to last a lot longer than any one of us.”

In addition to her work as a senator, Dziedzic was an active member in NCSL. She was part of the Legislative Leaders group from 2022-2024, served on the NCSL Law, Criminal Justice and Public Safety Commission from 2013-2017 and was part of the Child Care and Early Education Legislative Network.

Dziedzic’s death left the Senate in a 33-33 tie until a special election is held. Sen. Erin Murphy (DFL) and Sen. Mark Johnson (R) were elected co-leaders in a governing plan they created before the session began.

Both Murphy and Johnson noted the agreement they mapped out was informed by Dziedzic’s steadfast commitment to bipartisanship.

Johnson said he and Dziedzic came into leadership at the same time, and they had many long conversations as he made the drive back to his district. After her diagnosis, they spoke more about legacy.

“We can see the legacy that she has left in this institution, not just by the bills that she has left, but the relationships, the stories, just what she has left in this building that remains after she has gone,” Johnson said. “I’m proud to continue that legacy. And hopefully, this session will really be a commitment to what she has left behind.”

Senator Murphy agreed. “I hope her legacy burns brightly for us all this session and going forward.”

Kelley Griffin is a senior editor in NCSL’s Communications Division.

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