Melisa López Franzen is a former Minnesota State Senator who represented District 49 (southwest Twin Cities suburbs including Edina, Eden Prairie, Bloomington, and Minnetonka) from 2013 to 2023. Born and raised in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, she earned her bachelor's degree in political science from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico and her Master of Public Policy in economic development from the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. She earned her Juris Doctor from Hamline University School of Law in 2006. López Franzen spent eight years as an attorney at Target Corporation, holding various positions in government affairs and community relations. In the Minnesota Senate, she was elected minority leader in September 2021, serving in that role until January 2023. She was described as running as 'a fiscal moderate who also fights for education and affordable healthcare.' In 2023, she took a position as the University of Minnesota's chief lobbyist before stepping down in February 2025 to pursue her Senate campaign.
López Franzen was born and raised in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. She moved to Minnesota for her graduate education. Before her election to the Minnesota Senate in 2012, she worked as an attorney at Target Corporation for eight years, handling government affairs and community relations. She was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2012 and served for ten years, representing the affluent southwest suburbs of the Twin Cities. She was elected minority leader in September 2021. After leaving office due to redistricting in 2023, she became the University of Minnesota's chief lobbyist. She is an entrepreneur and mother of two.
Advocate for education funding and Medicaid expansion
Touts expansion of Medicaid as a key accomplishment from her state senate service.
Voting History: State Senate votes supporting Medicaid expansion and education funding
Supporter of abortion access
Lists protection of reproductive rights among key accomplishments.
Voting History: State Senate votes supporting reproductive rights
Pro-business, entrepreneur-friendly approach
Campaign materials emphasize her background as entrepreneur and small business supporter; advocates for supporting startups, simplified tax code, streamlined regulations.
Voting History: State Senate work on economic development and business support
López Franzen served in the Minnesota State Senate from 2013-2023. She did not appear on the ballot for the general election on November 3, 2026, indicating she did not advance past the Democratic primary. Her state senate voting record focused on education, healthcare (Medicaid expansion), reproductive rights, and economic development.
Campaign messaging emphasized unity, normalcy, and rising above gridlock. Moderate tone positioning between progressive and centrist flanks.