# Erin Koegel *American politician, member of the Minnesota House of Representatives (DFL, District 39A)* Erin Koegel (born April 6, 1982) is a [[Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party]] (DFL) member of the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]], where she has held a seat since 2017.[^1] Her district, 39A, lies in the northern part of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. It takes in Fridley along with portions of Anoka and Ramsey Counties.[^2] Koegel won her first House election in 2016 and has won each biennial election since then.[^3] Her first campaign followed an announcement by Jerry Newton, a DFL incumbent who had served three terms, that he would run for the Minnesota State Senate.[^3] In November 2025 Koegel said she would not be a candidate in 2026. She gave three reasons: heightened safety concerns following the assassination of DFL House Leader Melissa Hortman, the [[Legislature]]'s lack of transparency, and growing polarization.[^4] ## Early life, education, and career Koegel was born in Duluth, [[Minnesota]], and raised in Maple Grove.[^5] She finished at Osseo High School in 2000. She then earned a Bachelor of Applied Science in psychology, with a minor in political science, at the [[University of Minnesota]] Duluth. She later received a master's degree in advocacy and political leadership.[^5] Her early work included an internship with the Duluth City Council and service as a page in the Minnesota House.[^6] As of the source's retrieval date, she was employed as volunteer coordinator for Community Action Partnership of Ramsey County. Before that, she led the nonprofit Health Care for All as its executive director.[^6] ## Minnesota House of Representatives As of October 2026, Koegel is chair of the Sustainable Infrastructure Policy Committee. She also serves on the Commerce Finance and Policy Committee and the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee.[^7] In 2021–2022 she was vice chair of the transportation committee.[^7] ### Health care and child care Koegel backs widening eligibility for MinnesotaCare, the state's public health care program for low-income families.[^8] She also favors larger investments in child care and preschool, and more financial aid for people attending college.[^8] She has spoken publicly about the strain of caring for a newborn while serving as a legislator, and about the absence of maternity or parental leave.[^8] She authored legislation that sought stronger consumer protections and limits on settlement-payment arrangements, with judges required to review such payments.[^9] She also served on an advisory council on how funds under Minnesota's opioid epidemic response law should be spent.[^9] ### Transportation Koegel backed legislation to raise the state gas tax so that it would track inflation, along with more dedicated money for roads and bridges.[^10] She has also backed other tax increases for transportation. One was a 75-cent fee on home deliveries, put forward as an alternative to the gas tax.[^10] ## Personal life Koegel lives in Spring Lake Park with her spouse, Steve. Her daughter was born in 2018.[^11] In a power saw accident on August 22, 2021, Koegel severed the middle, ring, and little fingers of her left hand.[^12] She was flown to North Memorial Health Hospital in Robbinsdale for emergency surgery. Surgeons reattached the middle finger, but the ring and little fingers could not be saved.[^12] A GoFundMe campaign for her recovery went past its $5,000 target. Officials took notice because many of the donations appeared to come from lobbyists.[^13] State law bars lobbyists from giving lawmakers gifts valued above $5.[^13] The campaign page then stated that contributions from lobbyists would be returned immediately. The available record does not report what action, if any, officials took afterward.[^13] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Erin Koegel* (retrieved 2026-10-26), lead — birth date, party, House service since 2017. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erin_Koegel [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Erin Koegel* (retrieved 2026-10-26), lead — District 39A and its area (Fridley, parts of Anoka and Ramsey Counties). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erin_Koegel [^3]: Wikipedia contributors, *Erin Koegel* (retrieved 2026-10-26), *Minnesota House of Representatives* section — 2016 election, reelection record, Jerry Newton's Senate run. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erin_Koegel [^4]: Wikipedia contributors, *Erin Koegel* (retrieved 2026-10-26), *Minnesota House of Representatives* section — November 2025 retirement announcement and stated reasons. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erin_Koegel [^5]: Wikipedia contributors, *Erin Koegel* (retrieved 2026-10-26), *Early life, education, and career* section — birthplace, upbringing, schooling and degrees. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erin_Koegel [^6]: Wikipedia contributors, *Erin Koegel* (retrieved 2026-10-26), *Early life, education, and career* section — internship, House page service, employment. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erin_Koegel [^7]: Wikipedia contributors, *Erin Koegel* (retrieved 2026-10-26), *Minnesota House of Representatives* section — committee chair, memberships, 2021–2022 vice chair role. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erin_Koegel [^8]: Wikipedia contributors, *Erin Koegel* (retrieved 2026-10-26), *Health care and child care* section — MinnesotaCare, child care, college aid and parental-leave positions. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erin_Koegel [^9]: Wikipedia contributors, *Erin Koegel* (retrieved 2026-10-26), *Health care and child care* section — settlement-payment legislation and opioid advisory council. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erin_Koegel [^10]: Wikipedia contributors, *Erin Koegel* (retrieved 2026-10-26), *Transportation* section — gas tax and home-delivery fee positions. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erin_Koegel [^11]: Wikipedia contributors, *Erin Koegel* (retrieved 2026-10-26), *Personal life* section — spouse, residence, daughter's birth year. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erin_Koegel [^12]: Wikipedia contributors, *Erin Koegel* (retrieved 2026-10-26), *Personal life* section — August 22, 2021 injury and surgery. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erin_Koegel [^13]: Wikipedia contributors, *Erin Koegel* (retrieved 2026-10-26), *Personal life* section — GoFundMe goal, lobbyist contributions, $5 gift limit, return announcement. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erin_Koegel