With the recent redistricting of the Minnesota legislative districts, we have gained a strong candidate to seek the DFL endorsement to run for Senator Keith Langseth’s seat in the MN Senate. That person is Representative Kent Eken of Twin Valley, MN.
Kent is completing his fifth term representing MN 02A. With redistricting, Kent now resides in the newly drawn District 4 (formerly District 9, which includes Clay County).
Kent presented a rousing talk at the Clay County DFL Convention at MSUM. Kent’s GOP opponent may be a former NFL football player, but WE have a player from the Home Town Team! Kent has deep roots in our region. Kent, Lori, and their four children live on the same farmstead that dates back generations in Kent’s family.
Kent is a Concordia College graduate, obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Education and Political Science. He received his Master’s Degree in History from St. Cloud State University. His current occupation is an Educator.
Here is a write-up found on Kent’s Wikipedia page:
Eken was first elected to the House in 2002, and was re-elected in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010. He currently serves as an assistant minority leader, and is the DFL Lead on the Agriculture and Rural Development Policy and Finance Committee. He is 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 2007-2010.[2] 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.[3] In addition to his work as a teacher and adjunct college professor, he is also a sugar beet truck driver during the harvest season.
Kent received the DFL endorsement for the District 4 Senate seat at the DFL Senate District 4 / House Districts 4A and 4B Endorsing Convention on April 15th. The Endorsing Convention was held at the Barnesville Elementary School in Barnesville, MN.