# David Gottfried (politician) *American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2025* David Gottfried is a Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) member of the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]], where he represents parts of Ramsey County. He won the seat in a special election held on March 11, 2025. That election followed the invalidation of the November 2024 general-election result in his district.[^1] The vacancy had left Republicans with a one-seat majority in the House. His win ended that majority and returned the chamber to an even split between the DFL and Republicans.[^1] The source gives two dates for the start of his tenure. It records his swearing-in on March 17, 2025, and dates his service from March 18, 2025.[^1] ## Early life, education, and career A native of Roseville, [[Minnesota]], Gottfried went through the Roseville public school system.[^2] He holds a bachelor's degree in vocal performance from St. Olaf College. He also earned a Master of Public Policy at the [[Humphrey School of Public Affairs]] of the [[University of Minnesota]].[^2] Before running for office, he was employed at a local law firm as a pro bono specialist.[^2] ## Minnesota House of Representatives Representative Jamie Becker-Finn announced that she would retire, and both Gottfried and Curtis Johnson sought the open seat. Gottfried left the race after the DFL endorsed Johnson, and his name did not appear on the August primary ballot.[^1] Johnson won the November 2024 election by more than 7,000 votes. A judge then ruled that he did not satisfy the district's residency requirements. His election was invalidated, and the seat stayed vacant.[^1] [[Tim Walz]], as [[governor]], set a special election for January 28, 2025. Gottfried secured the DFL endorsement from a crowded field, and the remaining candidates then dropped out.[^1] The writ of election was later ruled invalid, and the election was moved to March 11, 2025. On that date Gottfried beat the Republican nominee, Paul Wikstrom, by 40 points.[^1] With his election, the House went from a one-seat Republican majority, which the vacancy had produced, back to a tie between the two parties.[^1] He took the oath of office on March 17, 2025.[^1] He serves on three committees: Agriculture Finance and Policy; Education Policy; and Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy.[^1] ## Personal life Gottfried and his wife, Haylee, reside in Shoreview, Minnesota.[^2] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *David Gottfried (politician)*, English Wikipedia, revision 1349846652 (retrieved 2026-10-26) — supports the 2024 contest, Johnson's invalidated election, the special-election sequence and rescheduling, the March 11, 2025 result and margin, the partisan tie, the March 17, 2025 swearing-in and the March 18, 2025 service date, and the committee assignments. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Gottfried_(politician)> [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *David Gottfried (politician)*, English Wikipedia, revision 1349846652 (retrieved 2026-10-26) — supports his birthplace, schooling, degrees, prior employment, and residence. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Gottfried_(politician)>