# Liish Kozlowski *American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2023* Liish Kozlowski (Ojibwe: Ozaawaa Anakwad; born January 12, 1988) is a Minnesota legislator who has held a seat in the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]] since 2023.[^1] Kozlowski is a member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) and represents District 8B, a northeastern [[Minnesota]] district that covers Duluth and part of St. Louis County.[^1] According to the Wikipedia article, Kozlowski is the first openly trans-nonbinary person to serve as a state legislator in Minnesota.[^1] Kozlowski won the seat in November 2022, after defeating Arik Forsman, then president of the Duluth City Council, in the DFL primary.[^1] Before entering the legislature, Kozlowski worked for the City of Duluth as a community relations officer from 2019 to 2021.[^1] ## Early life, education and career Kozlowski was born in Duluth.[^1] The Wikipedia article describes their father as a Mexican union electrician and their mother as Ojibwe of the Grand Portage/Fond du Lac Band. Kozlowski was brought up by a grandmother and, as an adult, was adopted into a native family.[^1] Their adoptive father, Ray "Skip" Sandman, was an Anishinaabe spiritual leader who twice ran as a candidate for Minnesota's 8th Congressional District.[^1] Kozlowski was the first in their family to graduate from college.[^1] They received a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2009 and a Master of Business Administration from the College of St. Scholastica in 2017.[^1] Kozlowski was a community relations officer for the City of Duluth from 2019 to 2021, during the mayoralty of Emily Larson.[^1] In that post they helped establish a reward fund for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit People. The article describes it as the first such fund in Minnesota.[^1] ## Minnesota House of Representatives Kozlowski's first campaign followed an announcement by Jennifer Schultz, the four-term DFL incumbent, that Schultz would not seek reelection and would instead run for the 8th Congressional District.[^1] Kozlowski beat Arik Forsman, president of the Duluth City Council, in the DFL primary and won the seat in the November 2022 election.[^1] When Kozlowski took office, the article records, they became the first openly trans non-binary member of the [[Minnesota Legislature]]. They were also its second two-spirit member, following Susan Allen.[^1] The same source records Kozlowski as the first Mexican, Ojibwe, and trans non-binary or two-spirit person to represent Duluth.[^1] Kozlowski's committee assignments include Capital Investment and Economic Development Finance and Policy.[^1] They are co-vice chair of Housing Finance and Policy and of Labor and Industry Finance and Policy.[^1] Kozlowski is a co-chair of the House People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus. They also belong to the Queer Caucus, the legislature's first caucus of LGBTQ+ members.[^1] In 2023, [[Minnesota Public Radio]] featured Kozlowski in its *Changemakers* series. The series profiles Minnesotans of diverse backgrounds who are making an impact in the state.[^1] ### Political positions Kozlowski's campaign platform called for universal childcare and fully funded education as support for working families.[^1] It also proposed "prove it first" legislation on mining permits as an environmental measure, along with affordable healthcare for everyone.[^1] Kozlowski supports abortion rights and favors wider abortion access for people of color, gender-expansive people, and immigrants.[^1] They have backed legislation to make Minnesota a "trans refuge state" for people seeking gender-affirming care.[^1] They have also advocated for inclusive schools and expanded housing access for disadvantaged communities.[^1] Kozlowski authored a law adding gender-neutral bathrooms.[^1] ## Personal life Kozlowski resides in Duluth.[^1] Their Ojibwe name, Ozaawaa Anakwad, means "Yellow Cloud." Kozlowski identifies as trans, non-binary, and two-spirit.[^1] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Liish Kozlowski* (revision 1369269126, retrieved 2026-10-26), CC BY-SA 4.0 — biographical, electoral, committee, caucus and political-position details. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liish_Kozlowski