Kent Eken
Kent Eken | |
---|---|
Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 4th district | |
In office January 8, 2013 – January 4, 2023 | |
Preceded by | redrawn district |
Succeeded by | Rob Kupec |
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 2A district | |
In office January 7, 2003 – January 7, 2013 | |
Preceded by | redrawn district |
Succeeded by | district redrawn |
Personal details | |
Born | December 12, 1963 |
Political party | Educator, legislator |
Bernhard Kent Eken (/ˈiːkɪn/ EEK-in; born December 12, 1963) is a Minnesota politician and former member of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), he represented District 4, which includes portions of Becker, Clay, and Norman counties in the northwestern part of the state.[1]
Early life, education, and career
Eken attended Twin Valley High School in
Minnesota House of Representatives
Eken was elected to the
Minnesota Senate
In 2012, Eken ran for the newly created District 4 after he was placed in the same district as fellow DFLer Paul Marquart. Eken defeated retired football player Phil Hansen in the general election, with over 52% of the vote.[4] He was reelected in 2016 with just over 55% of the vote. In 2020, Eken was reelected with just over 54% of the vote. After his reelection, he was named a Minority Whip.[5]
Eken served on the following committees:
- Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Finance and Policy
- Ranking Minority Member Family Care and Aging
He decided not to run for reelection in 2022, and was replaced by Rob Kupec.
References
- ^ a b "Minnesota Legislators Past & Present - Legislator Record - Eken, Bernhard Kent". Leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
- ^ "Project Vote Smart - Representative Kent Eken - Biography". Votesmart.org. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
- ^ "Kent Eken (DFL) 02A - Minnesota House of Representatives". House.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
- ^ Gerdes, Vicki (November 7, 2012). "Eken wins close Senate race". Detroit Lakes Tribune.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Kent Eken". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
External links
- Kent Eken at Minnesota Legislators Past & Present
- Senator Kent Eken official Minnesota Senate website
- Minnesota Public Radio Votetracker: Rep. Kent Eken
- Project Votesmart - Rep. Kent Eken Profile