Emma Greenman

Emma Greenman is an American politician currently serving as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing District 63B. A member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), she has been in office since 2021. Greenman’s district encompasses parts of south Minneapolis in Hennepin County, Minnesota. Her legislative work focuses on a variety of issues, including electoral policy, labor rights, and social justice.

Early life and career

Emma Greenman was born on April 24, 1979. She completed her high school education at Minneapolis South High School, where she began to develop her interest in civic engagement and public service. Following her high school graduation, Greenman pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from George Washington University. Her academic journey continued with a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University, and she later obtained a Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.

Greenman’s professional career began in the legal field. In 2007, she served as a legal intern at the Brennan Center for Justice, an organization focused on issues related to democracy and justice. The following year, she worked as a summer associate at the law firm King & Spalding. Her legal experience expanded further when she interned with the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice. In 2010, she took on the role of deputy campaign manager for Margaret Anderson Kelliher's gubernatorial campaign in Minnesota, which marked her entry into the political arena.

After her initial campaign work, Greenman continued her career in public service as an attorney in the Public Defender's Office in Ramsey County, Minnesota. She also held a position as a state director for the Service Employees International Union, where she advocated for workers' rights and labor issues. From 2013 to 2015, she worked as a political trainer for Wellstone Action, an organization dedicated to progressive advocacy and training.

In addition to her advocacy work, Greenman was an attorney at Maslon LLP from 2012 to 2015. During this time, she represented Tony Webster, an independent journalist, in a lawsuit against the city of Bloomington regarding the release of public records related to a Black Lives Matter protest. Greenman's commitment to democracy and voting rights led her to serve as the director of voting rights and democracy at the Center for Popular Democracy from 2015 until 2021. In 2018, she was appointed to Attorney General Keith Ellison's transition team, further solidifying her role in Minnesota's political landscape.

In 2016, Governor Mark Dayton appointed Greenman to the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board. Although her appointment was not confirmed by the Republican-controlled Minnesota Senate, she served in an interim capacity. During her time on the board, she was noted for her dissenting vote against allowing a city council member to transfer campaign funds to a mayoral campaign. In the 2021 Minneapolis mayoral election, Greenman did not endorse the incumbent mayor and instead supported calls for new leadership focused on addressing racial disparities and public safety.

Legislative service

Emma Greenman was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2020, succeeding 17-term incumbent Jean Wagenius, who chose not to seek reelection. She was reelected in 2022, reflecting her continued support within her district. In the House, Greenman holds the position of vice chair of the Elections Finance and Policy Committee and serves on several other committees, including Education Finance, Labor and Industry Finance and Policy, and Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy. From 2021 to 2022, she served as an assistant majority leader of the House DFL caucus.

Throughout her legislative career, Greenman has been involved in various initiatives, including authoring a bill aimed at banning prediction markets, which she argued would protect children. This legislation garnered attention and faced legal challenges from federal authorities shortly after its passage.

Policy focus and district

Greenman's policy focus encompasses a range of issues, particularly in the areas of electoral reform and labor rights. She co-chairs the Inclusive Democracy caucus, which was established to address the implications of the January 6 insurrection on democracy. One of her significant legislative contributions is the "Democracy for the People" Act, which serves as the House DFL's primary elections bill for the 2023 legislative session. Greenman has expressed concerns regarding the Republican Party's impact on democratic processes and has actively opposed voter ID requirements in Minnesota. Her advocacy includes supporting automatic voter registration, pre-registration for young individuals, and restoring voting rights to felons post-incarceration. Additionally, she has introduced legislation aimed at enhancing protections for poll workers and increasing transparency in independent political expenditures.

In recognition of her efforts to expand access to democracy and justice in Minnesota, Greenman received the Joan Growe Award for Distinguished Commitment at the Humphrey-Mondale Awards in 2024.

Greenman has also focused on labor issues, particularly concerning working conditions at Amazon facilities. She has criticized the company's labor practices and has proposed legislation to improve worker protections in warehouse environments. Furthermore, she has sought to redefine the classification of independent contractors to safeguard gig economy workers, such as those employed by Uber and Lyft, from potential exploitation.

Emma Greenman resides in Minneapolis and identifies as Jewish. Her background in law and public service, combined with her commitment to advocating for her constituents, continues to shape her legislative priorities and actions in the Minnesota House of Representatives.