Ethan Cha is a Hmong-American politician and member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party *, representing *House District 47B in the southeast Twin Cities metropolitan area, including Woodbury and parts of Washington County. Born on January 20, 1980, in a Thai refugee camp, he resides in Woodbury, Minnesota, and works as a community organizer. Elected in 2022 after defeating former Rep. Kelly Fenton, he won re-election in 2024 with 54.41% of the vote and currently serves his second term. Notable achievements include chairing the Minnesota Asian Pacific Caucus, advocating for an anti-hate crime bill amid rising anti-East Asian sentiment, and serving on committees for Agriculture Finance and Policy, Commerce Finance and Policy, Housing Finance and Policy, Legacy Finance, and the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement. He campaigned on education, climate change, abortion access, reproductive rights, free student meals, paid family leave, and tax reform, and ran unsuccessfully in the 2025 special primary for State Senate District 47.

Education and Political Experience

Cha began his political involvement 15 years ago as a grassroots organizer, emphasizing civic engagement, volunteering, and advocating for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, women, and families. He held leadership roles as an appointed state delegate and API Democrat President. First elected to the Minnesota House in 2022 for an open seat post-redistricting, he has served continuously since 2023, focusing on key legislative committees and caucus leadership. In 2025, he sought the State Senate District 47 seat but lost the Democratic-Farmer-Labor primary.