Kari Dziedzic

Kari Dziedzic (/ˈdiːdzɪk/ DEED-zik;^[1] June 5, 1962 – December 27, 2024) was an American politician and member of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), she represented District 60, which includes portions of the city of Minneapolis in Hennepin County. District 60 is also notable for including part of the University of Minnesota.^[2] In 2022, she was selected by her caucus to serve as Majority Leader for the 93rd Minnesota Legislature.^[3] She stepped down from leadership after the first session due to a cancer diagnosis. Before holding elected office, Dziedzic was executive assistant to U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone.

Kari Dziedzic
Majority Leader of the Minnesota Senate
In office January 3, 2023 – February 6, 2024
Preceded by	Jeremy Miller
Succeeded by	Erin Murphy
Member of the Minnesota Senate
In office January 20, 2012 – December 27, 2024
Preceded by	Larry Pogemiller
Succeeded by	Doron Clark
Constituency	59th district (2012–2013) 60th district (2013–2024)
Personal details
Born	June 5, 1962 Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Died	December 27, 2024 (aged 62) Minnesota, U.S.
Political party	Democratic (DFL)
Relatives	Walt Dziedzic (father) Joe Dziedzic (brother)
Education	University of Minnesota (BS)

Early life, education, and career

Dziedzic was the daughter of Walt Dziedzic, a longtime Minneapolis City Council member, Minneapolis Park Board member, and police inspector.^[4] Her brother is retired NHL player Joe Dziedzic.^[5] She attended Edison High School in Minneapolis, and received a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Minnesota.^[6]

Dziedzic entered politics as an aide to U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone. Afterward, she worked for Hennepin County, first as communications director for the Hennepin County Attorney, then as a policy aide for County Commissioner Mark Stenglein.^[7]

In the private sector, Dziedzic was an executive assistant to Minnesota North Stars owner Norm Green. She filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against him in 1993 that alleged Green had harassed Dziedzic and at least three other female employees of the North Stars.^[8] The lawsuit was settled out of court.^[9]

Minnesota Senate

Dziedzic was elected in a special election on January 10, 2012, and reelected in November 2012.^[10] She succeeded former Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, who had resigned to take a position in the administration of Governor Mark Dayton. Dziedzic was reelected in 2016, 2020, and 2022.

After the DFL retook the Senate majority in the 2022 Minnesota Senate election, Dziedzic was selected to serve as majority leader.^[11]

In 2023, Dziedzic was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and on February 2, 2024, she announced that she would step down as majority leader after her cancer had recurred.^[12][13]

Personal life and death

Dziedzic was Catholic.^[14] She died from ovarian cancer at an assisted-living facility in Minnesota on December 27, 2024, at the age of 62.^[13][15][16]