Jamie Long

Jamie Long is an American politician currently serving as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing District 61B. A member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), Long has been in office since 2019. He has held various leadership roles, including serving as the Majority Leader of the Minnesota House from 2023 to 2025. His legislative work primarily focuses on issues related to climate change, energy policy, public safety, and social justice.

Early life and career

Jamie Long was born on December 19, 1981. He pursued higher education at Carleton College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 2004. Following his undergraduate studies, he attended George Washington University, obtaining a Juris Doctor in 2007. Long's academic background laid a foundation for his career in public service and law.

Before entering the Minnesota legislature, Long gained experience in various roles related to environmental law and policy. He worked as an environmental attorney and served as an aide in the U.S. Congress, focusing on energy and transportation issues. His work included positions with notable figures such as U.S. Representatives Sheldon Whitehouse and Diana DeGette. Additionally, he was the deputy chief of staff and legislative director for former U.S. Representative Keith Ellison, where he played a significant role in Ellison's campaign for chair of the Democratic National Committee in 2017.

Long's commitment to community service is reflected in his involvement with local organizations. He served as chair of the Linden Hills Neighborhood Council and was a board member of Minneapolis Climate Action. These roles allowed him to engage with constituents and advocate for environmental initiatives at the local level.

Legislative service

Long was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2018, succeeding eight-term incumbent Paul Thissen, who chose not to seek reelection in order to run for governor. Since taking office, Long has been reelected every two years, demonstrating a sustained commitment to his constituents in District 61B, which encompasses parts of southern Minneapolis in Hennepin County.

In the early years of his legislative career, Long held several key positions within the House. From 2019 to 2020, he served as vice chair of the Energy and Climate Finance and Policy Committee, and subsequently, he was appointed as chair of the Climate and Energy Finance and Policy Committee from 2021 to 2022. His leadership roles within these committees allowed him to influence significant legislation related to energy and environmental policy.

Following the 2022 election, Long was elected as the Majority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives, succeeding Ryan Winkler, who did not seek reelection. In this capacity, he chairs the Rules and Legislative Administration Committee, overseeing legislative processes and priorities for the DFL caucus. Long's leadership has been characterized by a focus on key issues such as affordable housing, child care, and climate change, which he identified as top priorities for the 2023 legislative session.

Policy focus and district

Long's legislative agenda is heavily focused on climate and energy issues. He has advocated for ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to renewable energy sources. One of his notable legislative efforts includes authoring a bill to establish a 100 percent clean energy goal for Minnesota by 2050, which was later revised to 2040. This legislation aims to require electric utility companies to phase out fossil fuel usage, reflecting Long's commitment to addressing climate change urgently.

In addition to promoting clean energy, Long has supported various initiatives to enhance the state's energy infrastructure. He has pushed for investments in solar energy, electric vehicles, and energy efficiency programs, particularly for low-income households. Long has been an advocate for legislation that facilitates the adoption of electric vehicles and has called for stricter car emission standards in alignment with state and federal initiatives.

Long's policy focus extends beyond environmental issues to encompass public safety and criminal justice reform. He founded a bipartisan Criminal Justice Reform Caucus within the Minnesota legislature, advocating for measures such as automatic expungement of certain low-level offenses. He has supported Governor Tim Walz's criminal justice reform proposals and has proposed the establishment of a clemency review commission to streamline the process for reviewing clemency applications.

In his role as a legislator, Long has also addressed social issues, including reproductive rights and immigration. He has supported legislation aimed at protecting abortion rights and providing driver's licenses to undocumented residents. Additionally, he has advocated for making Minnesota a refuge state for transgender individuals, reflecting his commitment to social equity and justice.

As a representative of District 61B, Long engages with a diverse constituency in southern Minneapolis. His legislative work is informed by the needs and concerns of his district, which includes urban communities with varying socioeconomic backgrounds. Long's efforts to address climate change, promote public safety, and support social justice initiatives resonate with the values and priorities of many constituents in his district.

Overall, Jamie Long's career in the Minnesota House of Representatives is marked by a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, social justice, and community engagement. His leadership roles and legislative initiatives reflect his dedication to addressing pressing issues facing Minnesota and his constituents in District 61B.