Senator Karin Housley

Karin Housley is a Republican state senator from Minnesota representing District 33, which encompasses northern Washington County, including the communities of Forest Lake, Stillwater, Hugo, Mahtomedi, Willernie, Dellwood, Oak Park Heights, Bayport, Marine on St. Croix, and surrounding areas. She has lived in her district for more than 30 years and serves as a wife, mother, and grandmother.

In addition to her legislative work, Housley is a licensed real estate agent who founded Housley Homes in 2002. She has worked as a television news producer, radio host, and is a published author with Random House.

Education

Housley graduated from South Paul High School in 1982 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Augsburg College and the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1987.

Political Experience

Housley has served in the Minnesota State Senate since 2012, representing District 33. She was first elected in 2012 and has been re-elected in 2016, 2020, and 2022. She currently holds the position of Assistant Republican Leader and serves as the ranking minority leader on the Capital Investment Committee.

Her legislative priorities focus on education, economic development, aging, long-term care, and veterans affairs. Notable achievements include spearheading landmark legislation protecting elderly and vulnerable Minnesotans in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, making record investments in area schools, and tax cuts. In 2018, she won the Republican Party endorsement for the U.S. Senate seat held by U.S. Senator Tina Smith but was unsuccessful in the general election.