Senator Erin K. Maye Quade is a Democratic-Farmer-Labor member of the Minnesota State Senate representing District 56, which includes Apple Valley, Rosemount, and a portion of Eagan. A lifelong Apple Valley resident, she is the first out lesbian, first Black woman, and first Black mom elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2022, serving since 2023. Previously, she served as a State Representative for District 57A from 2017-2019, becoming the only Democrat in 2016 to flip a House seat from Republican to DFL control. She lives with her wife Alyse, daughter Harriet , and two rescue dogs.

Notable achievements include founding the Childhood Hunger Caucus, passing bills through a Republican-controlled House on issues like paid family leave, affordable child care, ending childhood hunger, gun violence prevention, public school funding, and veterans' services, and serving as the 2018 lieutenant governor running mate for Erin Murphy. Currently, she is Special Projects Advisor at Gender Justice, advancing gender equity. In the Senate, she is Vice Chair of Education Policy and State and Local Government committees, and serves on Education Finance and Human Services.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Graduated from Eastview High School ; B.A. in Political Science and Justice and Peace Studies from University of St. Thomas.
• Political Experience:
  • Minnesota State Senate, District 56 : Elected 2022, 1st term .
  • Minnesota State House, District 57A : 2017-2019.
  • Priorities: Reproductive rights, ending childhood hunger, veterans' issues, public education, climate, disability justice, protecting against unregulated AI and Big Tech, literacy education, gun violence prevention, and working families.