ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. – White Earth
citizen and DFL activist Peggy Flanagan announced her candidacy for
the Minnesota House of Representatives for District 46A on May 22.
In a press release, Flanagan gave her
reasons for running for office. “This community has given me so
much. My mom and I moved to St. Louis Park when I was a baby. As a
single mother, she chose this community because of the opportunities
that it provided for good public education, stable neighborhoods, and
economic security, and she was right. My family and I settled in my
hometown for the same reasons, and now I want to give back.”
Flanagan, 35, currently serves as
executive director of Children’s Defense Fund-Minnesota. She also
worked for eight years at Wellstone Action, including as director of
external affairs. In 2012, she worked as the Director of Community
Outreach for Minnesotans United for all Families; and she was
co-chair of the Raise The Wage campaign in 2014.
A citizen of the White Earth Nation of
Ojibwe, Flanagan lives in the Bronx Park neighborhood of St. Louis
Park with her husband Tim Hellendrung and 2 year-old daughter
Siobhan. She is a graduate of St. Louis Park public schools and the
University of Minnesota.
Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL) announced his retirement
from the Minnesota House of Representatives on May 21, after serving
more than eight years. A special election will likely be held later
this year for the remainder of his term. District 46A includes parts
of St. Louis Park, Golden Valley and Plymouth.
PHOTO: Flanagan with Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges in 2014. (Courtesy photo)
