Kent Eken

Bernhard Kent Eken (born December 12, 1963) is a Minnesota politician and member of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), he represents District 4, which includes portions of Becker, Clay, and Norman counties in the northwestern part of the state.[1]

Kent Eken
Member of the Minnesota Senate
from the 4th district
Assumed office
January 8, 2013
Preceded byredrawn district
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 2A district
In office
January 7, 2003 – January 7, 2013
Preceded byredrawn district
Succeeded bydistrict redrawn
Personal details
Born (1963-12-12) December 12, 1963
Political partyMinnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
Spouse(s)Lori
Children4
ResidenceTwin Valley, Minnesota
Alma materConcordia College - Moorhead
St. Cloud State University
Professioneducator, legislator

Early life, education, and career

Eken attended Twin Valley High School in Twin Valley, then went on to Concordia College in Moorhead, receiving his B.A. in political science and education. He later attended St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, earning his M.A. in history, after which he taught at Saint John's Preparatory School.[2] In addition to his work as a teacher and adjunct college professor, he is a sugar beets truck driver during the harvest season. His father was Willis Eken, who served in the Minnesota House of Representatives.[1]

Minnesota House of Representatives

Eken was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing District 2A, in 2002, and reelected in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010. He served as an assistant minority leader, and was the DFL lead on the Agriculture and Rural Development Policy and Finance Committee. He was also a member of the Transportation Policy and Finance and the Ways and Means committees. He was chair of the Environment Policy and Oversight Committee from 2007 to 2010.[3]

Minnesota Senate

In 2012, Eken ran for the newly created District 4 after he was placed in the same district as fellow DFLer Paul Marquart. Eken defeated retired football player Phil Hansen in the general election, with over 52% of the vote.[4] He was reelected in 2016 with just over 55% of the vote.

Eken currently serves on the following committees:

  • Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Finance
  • Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Policy
  • Capital Investment
  • Ranking Minority Member Family Care and Aging
gollark: I would have done Chemistry as an Æ-level, except I wanted to do Computer Science™ more.
gollark: Biology somewhat interesting but also extremely complex.
gollark: For our mock exams, they brought in invigilators, which sound like some sort of sci-fi robots, and were quite strict.
gollark: Idea: somehow combine these two things.
gollark: Replying to https://discord.com/channels/346530916832903169/348702212110680064/747845179213611139In areas were "second-hand smoke" is a problem, sure, otherwise no.

References
  1. "Minnesota Legislators Past & Present - Legislator Record - Eken, Bernhard Kent". Leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
  2. "Project Vote Smart - Representative Kent Eken - Biography". Votesmart.org. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
  3. "Kent Eken (DFL) 02A - Minnesota House of Representatives". House.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
  4. Gerdes, Vicki (November 7, 2012). "Eken wins close Senate race". Detroit Lakes Tribune.
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