Senator Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger is a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor ** party representing **Senate District 47 in Minnesota, which includes Woodbury and South Maplewood. A scientist and union leader, she won a special election in November 2025 to join the Minnesota Senate after serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2022 for District 47A. As a forensic scientist for the State of Minnesota, she advocated for paid parental leave benefits through the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees , securing this for state employees. Notable achievements include championing environmental justice, public transit like the MetroTransit Gold Line, protecting genetic information from direct-to-consumer testing companies, funding for Central Park renovations, and prohibiting homeowner associations from banning solar panels. She authored legislation for paid family/medical leave, 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040, and contributed to historic sessions protecting reproductive rights, addressing climate change, expanding healthcare, funding school meals, and enacting a child tax credit that reduced childhood poverty by one-third. She lives in Woodbury with her husband and two children and remains active with Woodbury for Justice and Equality.

Education and Political Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in Genetics, Iowa State University .
• Master’s degree in Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy, University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs .

Political Experience

• Minnesota State Senator, District 47 .
• Minnesota State Representative, District 47A .
• Legislative Committees : Children and Families Finance and Policy; Climate and Energy Finance and Policy; Workforce Development; Health Finance and Policy.
• Professional roles with State of Minnesota: Lead Legislative and Policy Analyst ; Business/Management Analyst ; Legislative Analyst ; Forensic Scientist .
• Union leadership: Minnesota Association of Professional Employees since 2011, including Paid Parental Leave Organizing Committee and Government Relations Committee/Political Council.