Melisa López Franzen
Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Minnesota
Melisa López Franzen
Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Minnesota
Minnesota Democratic Senate nominee?
$731.0K
AUG 18, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds — Minnesota Democratic Senate nominee?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
0%chance to win
$731.0KAUG 18, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleFormer State Senator
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age46 years old (Jun 9, 1980)
GenderFemale
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LocationMinnesota
BackgroundPolitician
EducationInteramerican University of Puerto Rico (B.A., Political Science, 2001)
Notable personal detailsMelisa López Franzen is an American politician and attorney who served in the Minnesota Senate (District 49) from 2013 to 2023 and was Minority Leader of the Minnesota Senate from 2021 to 2023. Born in Puerto Rico, she earned degrees from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs, and Hamline University School of Law. She worked in government affairs and community relations roles, including as an attorney at Target, later co-founding the public relations firm NewPublica, and subsequently serving as executive director of Government and Community Relations for the University of Minnesota system.
SourcesShowHide
Political Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports maintaining or increasing taxes to fund public services and opposes tax breaks for wealthy Minnesotans while advocating investments in education, infrastructure, public safety, healthcare access, and worker protections.
Healthcare
Supports expanding healthcare access and has a record of helping expand Medicaid and strengthening access to care for vulnerable populations. Has emphasized making healthcare more affordable and expanding government programs rather than advocating privatization or repeal.
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Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports protecting and expanding reproductive rights in Minnesota and has spoken against proposed abortion bans; helped form and lead efforts in the legislature to defend reproductive freedom. Emphasized the need for a pro-choice majority and legislative action to preserve access to abortion and reproductive health care.
Climate & Energy
Supports action to address climate change and has backed state-level clean energy and greenhouse gas reduction measures. Has a legislative record of voting for stronger emissions-reduction goals and aligns with Democratic energy policies promoting renewables and clean-air protections. Positions emphasize clean air and water and transitioning toward carbon-free electricity standards while operating within legislative compromises.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports expanded background checks for private transfers and backing legislation for extreme risk protection orders (red flag laws) as part of proposals to reduce gun violence and improve public safety. Emphasizes pursuing gun-safety measures alongside other public safety reforms while serving in the Minnesota Senate.
Latest News
Melisa López Franzen is in the news as a candidate in Minnesota’s open U.S. Senate race, which is now in the primary stage ahead of the 2026 midterm election. The race is crowded, and early voting has begun ahead of the August primary. Other recent Minnesota political coverage has focused on the state’s lawsuit against the Trump administration over Medicaid funding, but the Senate campaign is the main development tied to her right now.
Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Carolina
Minnesota primary elections 2026: What you need to know as voting begins
Minnesota sues to block Trump administration’s withholding of Medicaid funds
MN sues to block Trump administration's withholding of Medicaid funds
Campaign Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Campaign finance totals from the latest available reporting period.
2026
LatestCycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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