Erin Koegel

Erin Koegel is an American politician currently serving as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing District 39A. A member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), she has been in office since her election in 2016. Koegel's district encompasses parts of the northern Twin Cities metropolitan area, including the city of Fridley and portions of Anoka and Ramsey Counties. Throughout her legislative career, she has focused on various issues, including health care, child care, and transportation.

Early life and career

Erin Koegel was born on April 6, 1982, in Duluth, Minnesota. She spent her formative years in Maple Grove, Minnesota, where she completed her secondary education at Osseo High School, graduating in 2000. Following high school, Koegel pursued higher education at the University of Minnesota Duluth. There, she earned a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in psychology, complemented by a minor in political science. She later obtained a master's degree in advocacy and political leadership, further solidifying her commitment to public service and civic engagement.

Koegel's early career included an internship with the Duluth City Council, which provided her with valuable insights into local governance and the legislative process. Additionally, she served as a page at the Minnesota House of Representatives, gaining firsthand experience in the workings of the state legislature. Her professional background includes a role as a volunteer coordinator at the Community Action Partnership of Ramsey County, where she worked to support community initiatives and assist those in need. Prior to her election to the House, she was the executive director of Health Care for All, a nonprofit organization focused on advocating for accessible health care.

Legislative service

Erin Koegel was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2016, succeeding three-term DFL incumbent Jerry Newton, who opted to run for a seat in the Minnesota State Senate. Since taking office, Koegel has been reelected every two years, demonstrating her continued support within her district. In the legislature, she has taken on significant leadership roles, including chairing the Sustainable Infrastructure Policy Committee. She is also a member of the Commerce Finance and Policy Committee and the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee. From 2021 to 2022, she served as vice chair of the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee, where she contributed to discussions and decisions regarding the state's transportation infrastructure.

Koegel's legislative work has included a variety of initiatives aimed at addressing the needs of her constituents and the broader Minnesota community. In November 2025, she announced her decision not to seek reelection in 2026. Her choice to retire was influenced by several factors, including heightened safety concerns following the assassination of DFL House Leader Melissa Hortman, a perceived lack of transparency within the legislature, and increasing polarization in political discourse.

Policy focus and district

Throughout her time in the Minnesota House, Erin Koegel has focused on several key policy areas, particularly health care, child care, and transportation. She has been an advocate for extending the eligibility of MinnesotaCare, a public health care program designed to assist low-income families. Koegel has also emphasized the importance of increasing investments in child care services, preschool programs, and financial assistance for college students. Her personal experiences as a parent have informed her advocacy, as she has publicly discussed the challenges of balancing legislative responsibilities with parenting, particularly the lack of maternity or parental leave for lawmakers.

In the realm of consumer protection, Koegel has authored legislation aimed at enhancing safeguards for consumers, particularly concerning settlement-payment deals. Her efforts include measures that require judicial scrutiny of these payments to ensure fairness and transparency. Additionally, she has participated in an advisory council focused on allocating funding in response to the opioid epidemic, demonstrating her commitment to addressing public health crises.

Transportation policy has also been a significant focus of Koegel's legislative agenda. She has supported measures to increase the state's gas tax to keep pace with inflation and to secure dedicated funding for the maintenance and improvement of roads and bridges. In exploring alternative funding mechanisms, she has backed tax increases, including a proposed fee on home deliveries, as a substitute for the gas tax. Koegel has sponsored bipartisan legislation, including initiatives to create specialty license plates honoring the Minnesota Vikings and to allow online driver's education courses for teenagers. Her environmental advocacy is reflected in her efforts to restrict wake boats near shorelines and in smaller lakes and waterways.

In her personal life, Erin Koegel is married to her spouse, Steve, and they reside in Spring Lake Park, Minnesota. The couple welcomed their daughter in 2018. In a notable incident, Koegel experienced a severe accident in August 2021, where she accidentally severed three fingers on her left hand while using a power saw. Following the accident, she was airlifted to a hospital for emergency surgery, where surgeons successfully reattached her middle finger, although her ring and pinky fingers were lost. A GoFundMe campaign established to support her recovery exceeded its fundraising goal but drew attention due to contributions from lobbyists, which are restricted under Minnesota state law. The campaign organizers announced that any gifts from lobbyists would be returned in compliance with legal requirements.

Erin Koegel's career in the Minnesota House of Representatives reflects her dedication to public service and her commitment to addressing the needs of her constituents in District 39A. Through her legislative initiatives and community involvement, she has sought to make a positive impact on the lives of those she represents.