| Hello! My name is Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger, and I am running for the Minnesota House of Representatives in Woodbury and Maplewood! My husband and I live on the west side of Woodbury with our two daughters, cat, and guinea pigs.
I have a passion for advocating, equity, and doing the right thing. I am an active member of our community and build relationships with my involvement in various groups.
My background in science and public policy allows me to evaluate any policies fully and comprehensively before voting to implement them.
My political activism began at a young age. I was in the 8th grade when I was a student representative for a group working to pass a school referendum. I continued to invoke positive change throughout high school by petitioning to the school board to prevent cutting our Dance Team. While in college, I found ways to make life better for others, like partnering with the Ronald McDonald House and college freshmen to provide Christmas gifts to the children staying at the house. After finishing my studies, I became a Dance Team Coach for area high schools, utilizing the sport as a vehicle to teach high school girls the skills they would need to become successful, confident, young women.
Professionally, I looked for opportunities where I could expand my skill set to have a more active role in helping solve societal problems. In my union (MAPE), I became deeply involved in the Paid Parental Leave Initiative. I was pregnant with my first child and was struggling with how to make it all work - sick time, vacation time, staying healthy to save all my time for the baby, and how to financially plan. The more I talked to people, the more I learned that I wasn't alone; that a lot of families were struggling to make it all work. It took time and hard work, but by the time my second child was born (three years later), paid parental leave passed for all state employees.
Locally, I found an opportunity to focus on another passion area of mine - environmental justice and access to public transportation. I organized community members and organizations to write dozens of letters in support of the MetroTransit Gold Line. The passion continues, and I am currently working with Woodbury for Justice and Equality.
We are a leading community, and I will bring this leadership to the state capitol. I will lead on issues like statewide paid parental leave and better transportation options to battle climate change. I want us to go to the state capitol together, so you feel represented, and you feel a part of the process.
Education
Master of Science in Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy
Humphrey School of Public Affairs, 2016
Master of Science in Genetics
Iowa State University, 2008
Committees
Metropolitan Council Transportation Advisory Board Alternate, 2021-present
MetroTransit Gold Line Bus Rapid Transit Community and Business Advisory Committee, 2020-present
Woodbury for Justice and Equality, City Government Committee, 2021-present
Professional Experience
Lead Legislative and Policy Analyst
State of Minnesota, 2022-present
Business/Management Analyst
State of Minnesota, 2021-2022
Legislative Analyst
State of Minnesota, 2020-2021
Forensic Scientist
State of Minnesota, 2011-2020
Union Member and Leader
Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE), 2011-present
Paid Parental Leave Organizing Committee
Government Relations Committee/Political Council
Steward
Board of Directors |