Steve Cwodzinski
Steve A. Cwodzinski (born September 8, 1958) is an American politician and member of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), he represents District 48, including Eden Prairie and Minnetonka, in the western Twin Cities metropolitan area. Early life, education, and career. Cwodzinski was born and raised in Superior, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Minnesota, graduating with a bachelor's degree in education and, later, a master's degree in education. Cwodzinski spent more than 30 years teaching government and history classes at Eden Prairie High School. He was recognized with  the Presidential Scholar's Influential Teacher Award for his work in the classroom. He published a book, "Beyond the Lesson Plan", about the lessons he learned during his years in the classroom. Minnesota Senate. Cwodzinski was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2016, defeating incumbent David Hann, the Republican minority leader, in a close race. After being sworn in, Cwodzinski was appointed to serve on the E-12 Finance and Policy, Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy and State Government Finance and Policy and Elections committees. Cwodzinski was reelected in 2020 with  58.15% of the vote, defeating Jeff Jiang. Cwodzinski is serving on the following committees during the 2021-22 92nd legislature: Personal life. Cwodzinski and his wife, Patti, have two children and two grandchildren and live in Eden Prairie. A self-proclaimed outdoors enthusiast, Cwodzinski has traveled to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness almost every summer since 1979.