# Zack Stephenson *American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives* Zack Stephenson (born July 18, 1984) is a [[Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party]] (DFL) member of the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]]. He has held a House seat since 2019 and has led the DFL in the House since 2025.[^1] His district, 35A, is in the northwestern part of the Twin Cities metropolitan area.[^1] The only source available for this article lists consumer protection and combating climate change as his legislative priorities.[^10] His House record there includes: - chairing the Commerce Committee, and co-chairing Ways and Means in 2025;[^5] - a 2019 bill ending Minnesota's marital rape exception;[^6] - a 2020 grant program for small businesses closed by the COVID-19 pandemic;[^8] - two energy laws enacted in 2021.[^10][^11] ## Early life, education, and career Stephenson grew up in [[Coon Rapids, Minnesota]], where he was born. He finished at [[Coon Rapids High School]] in 2002.[^2] He earned a Bachelor of Arts in public policy analysis from Knox College in 2006 and a J.D. from the [[University of Chicago Law School]] in 2010.[^3] His prior work includes service as a Hennepin County prosecutor and as a staffer for U.S. Senator [[Amy Klobuchar]].[^4] ## Minnesota House of Representatives Stephenson won his first House election in 2018.[^5] He has chaired the Commerce Committee and has also sat on the Climate and Energy Committee and the Elections Committee. In 2025 he was co-chair of the Ways and Means Committee.[^5] In the 2019 session he authored legislation, which passed, repealing what was known as Minnesota's "marital rape exception". Under the prior law, rape could not be prosecuted in certain circumstances where the victim was married to the perpetrator. After enactment, marriage to the victim no longer barred prosecution.[^6] He also authored a provision, which passed, for the first steps toward a new [[Mississippi River]] crossing linking [[Dayton, Minnesota]] and [[Ramsey, Minnesota]].[^7] In 2020 he was chief author of a grant bill for small businesses that could not operate during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. The bill provided $62.5 million in grants of up to $10,000 each. Of that amount, $18 million was set aside for microbusinesses, meaning businesses with fewer than six employees.[^8] The House vote was 129 to 5, and the Senate approved the bill unanimously.[^9] In 2021 he authored the Energy Conservation and Optimization Act, which expands the state's energy conservation programs. The source states the law is expected to lower carbon emissions in Minnesota. It does so especially by encouraging "fuel switching", in which utilities give consumers incentives to move from less efficient fossil fuels to more efficient electricity.[^10] He also authored the Natural Gas Innovation Act (NGIA), which was enacted with bipartisan support in 2021.[^11] ## Personal life Stephenson lives in Coon Rapids with his wife, Austin; they have two children.[^12] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Zack Stephenson* (revision 1376437935, retrieved 2026-10-26) — lead: birth date; House member since 2019; DFL House leader since 2025; District 35A in the northwestern Twin Cities metro. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zack_Stephenson [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Zack Stephenson* (revision 1376437935, retrieved 2026-10-26) — "Early life, education, and career": born and raised in Coon Rapids; Coon Rapids High School, 2002. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zack_Stephenson [^3]: Wikipedia contributors, *Zack Stephenson* (revision 1376437935, retrieved 2026-10-26) — "Early life, education, and career": Knox College B.A., 2006; University of Chicago Law School J.D., 2010. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zack_Stephenson [^4]: Wikipedia contributors, *Zack Stephenson* (revision 1376437935, retrieved 2026-10-26) — "Early life, education, and career": Hennepin County prosecutor; former staffer for Sen. Amy Klobuchar. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zack_Stephenson [^5]: Wikipedia contributors, *Zack Stephenson* (revision 1376437935, retrieved 2026-10-26) — "Minnesota House of Representatives": first elected 2018; committee assignments; 2025 Ways and Means co-chair. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zack_Stephenson [^6]: Wikipedia contributors, *Zack Stephenson* (revision 1376437935, retrieved 2026-10-26) — "Minnesota House of Representatives": 2019 bill ending the marital rape exception. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zack_Stephenson [^7]: Wikipedia contributors, *Zack Stephenson* (revision 1376437935, retrieved 2026-10-26) — "Minnesota House of Representatives": provision toward a Dayton–Ramsey Mississippi River crossing. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zack_Stephenson [^8]: Wikipedia contributors, *Zack Stephenson* (revision 1376437935, retrieved 2026-10-26) — "Minnesota House of Representatives": 2020 small-business grant bill; $62.5 million, $10,000 cap, $18 million microbusiness reserve. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zack_Stephenson [^9]: Wikipedia contributors, *Zack Stephenson* (revision 1376437935, retrieved 2026-10-26) — "Minnesota House of Representatives": House vote 129–5; unanimous Senate approval. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zack_Stephenson [^10]: Wikipedia contributors, *Zack Stephenson* (revision 1376437935, retrieved 2026-10-26) — "Minnesota House of Representatives": legislative priorities; 2021 Energy Conservation and Optimization Act and fuel switching. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zack_Stephenson [^11]: Wikipedia contributors, *Zack Stephenson* (revision 1376437935, retrieved 2026-10-26) — "Minnesota House of Representatives": Natural Gas Innovation Act, enacted with bipartisan support in 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zack_Stephenson [^12]: Wikipedia contributors, *Zack Stephenson* (revision 1376437935, retrieved 2026-10-26) — "Personal life": spouse, two children, residence in Coon Rapids. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zack_Stephenson