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Xp Lee
American politician From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Xiongpao "Xp" Lee (pronounced /ˈɛks ˈpiː/) is an American politician serving since 2025 in the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Lee has represented District 34B since winning a special election after the assassination of Melissa Hortman. He was previously a city council member in Brooklyn Park.
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Early life and career
Lee was born in a refugee camp in Nong Khai, Thailand, after his Hmong family was displaced from Laos during the Vietnam War.[2] He grew up in Fresno, California, before moving to South Carolina for his dad’s job as a mechanic.[3] He earned a bachelor's degree in graphic design from the University of South Carolina Upstate.[4]
Lee moved to Minnesota after graduating from college, becoming involved in the nonprofit community and volunteering at the Center for Hmong Arts and Talent.[3] He founded the Hmong American Census Network to work on outreach efforts in the Hmong-American community for the 2020 United States census.[5] He then worked at the Minnesota Department of Health as a community coordinator during the COVID-19 pandemic and as a policy and special programs manager for the Minnesota Council on Foundations.[6]
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Political career
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Brooklyn Park City Council
In 2022, Lee ran for a special election to the Brooklyn Park City Council to serve the remainder of Lisa Jacobson's term after she was elected mayor. At the time, he served as a member of the city's planning commission.[7] He placed first with 45.5% of the vote, defeating LaDawn Severin, Benjamin Osemenam, and Abraham Bah. His election marked the first time the city's councilmembers were majority nonwhite.[8]
Lee did not run for reelection to Brooklyn Park City Council in 2024 and was succeeded by Amanda Cheng Xiong.[9]
Minnesota House of Representatives
Lee won the 2025 special election in District 34B of the Minnesota House of Representatives, taking 60.9% of the vote over Republican nominee Ruth Bittner.[10] The seat became vacant upon the June 14, 2025, assassination of incumbent representative Melissa Hortman. Lee received the DFL's endorsement and won the primary election on August 12.[11] He named healthcare, education, and infrastructure among his top priorities and supports a planned biotechnology district in Brooklyn Park, the conversion of Minnesota State Highway 252 to a freeway, and the planned extension of Metro Transit’s light rail Blue Line.[12]
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Electoral history
Brooklyn Park City Council (2022)
Minnesota House (2025)
References
External links
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