SPOTLIGHT RACE: Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger for MN-SD47 (Special election)
My political activism began at a young age. I was in the 8th grade when I was a student representative for a group working to pass a school referendum. I continued to invoke positive change throughout high school by petitioning to the school board to prevent cutting our Dance Team. While in college, I found ways to make life better for others, like partnering with the Ronald McDonald House and college freshmen to provide Christmas gifts to the children staying at the house. After finishing my studies, I became a Dance Team Coach for area high schools, utilizing the sport as a vehicle to teach high school girls the skills they would need to become successful, confident, young women.
Professionally, I looked for opportunities where I could expand my skill set to have a more active role in helping solve societal problems. In my union (MAPE), I became deeply involved in the Paid Parental Leave Initiative. I was pregnant with my first child and was struggling with how to make it all work – sick time, vacation time, staying healthy to save all my time for the baby, and how to financially plan. The more I talked to people, the more I learned that I wasn’t alone; that a lot of families were struggling to make it all work. It took time and hard work, but by the time my second child was born (three years later), paid parental leave passed for all state employees.
Locally, I found an opportunity to focus on another passion area of mine – environmental justice and access to public transportation. I organized community members and organizations to write dozens of letters in support of the MetroTransit Gold Line. The passion continues, and I am currently working with Woodbury for Justice and Equality.
We are a leading community, and I bring this leadership to the state capitol. Conversations with neighbors crafted our community’s legislative priorities based on values surrounding the environment and families of all generations. I was proud to author bills like paid family/medial leave so people don’t have to choose between caring for themselves or a loved one and their job. We passed a bill to get us to have 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040 to address the climate crisis. Closer to home, I brought state funding to renovate and update Central Park. I continue to lead on issues like affordable child care and better transportation options to battle climate change. I want us to go to the state capitol together, so you feel represented, and you feel a part of the process.
https://amandaformnhouse.com/