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Eken, Kent

Sessions Served

Other Information

House 2003-2012 (District 2A); Senate 2013-2022 (District 4)

Party when first elected: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Counties Served: Becker, Clay, Clearwater, Mahnomen, Norman, Polk

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 12/12/1963

Birth Place: ,

Birth County:

Birth Country:

Date of Death:

Gender: Male

Religion: Lutheran

Reported Minority: None Reported

Other Names:

City of Residence (when first elected): Twin Valley

Occupation (when first elected): High School Social Studies and Economics Teacher; Saint John's Preparatory School, Collegeville

EDUCATION

Twin Valley High School; Secondary;
Concordia College, Moorhead; B.A.; Political Science and Education
St. Cloud State University; M.A.; History

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota Clean Water Council; 09/2011 to 20?? [Appointed]

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Lori
Children: Four children: Kara, Samuel, Amber, and Adam
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
Willis Roy Eken - Father

GENERAL NOTES

He's a licensed airplane pilot.

His full name is Bernhard Kent Eken.

He announced he would not seek reelection in 2022.

Religion provided by Politics in Minnesota the Directory, 2005-2006.

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Total Days Served: 7302

SESSIONS SERVED

92nd Legislative Session (2021-2022)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 04

Elected: 11/3/2020

Residence: Twin Valley

Term of Office: 1/4/2021 to 1/1/2023

Counties Represented: Becker, Clay, Norman

Occupation: Educator

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Aging and Long-Term Care Policy
Agriculture and Rural Development Finance and Policy

Leadership Position: Minority Whip

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91st Legislative Session (2019-2020) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 04

Elected: 11/8/2016

Residence: Twin Valley

Term of Office: 1/2/2017 to 1/3/2021

Counties Represented: Becker, Clay, Norman

Occupation: Educator

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored:     2020 1st Sp.S. - Author
   2020 2nd Sp.S. - Author
   2020 3rd Sp.S. - Author
   2020 5th Sp.S. - Author
   2020 7th Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Finance
Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Policy
Capital Investment
Family Care and Aging

Leadership Position: Minority Whip

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90th Legislative Session (2017-2018)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 04

Elected: 11/8/2016

Residence: Twin Valley

Term of Office: 1/2/2017 to 1/3/2021

Counties Represented: Becker, Clay, Norman

Occupation: Educator

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Aging and Long-Term Care Policy
Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Finance
Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Policy
Capital Investment

Leadership Position: Minority Whip

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89th Legislative Session (2015-2016) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 04

Elected: 11/6/2012

Residence: Twin Valley

Term of Office: 1/7/2013 to 1/1/2017

Counties Represented: Becker, Clay, Norman

Occupation: Educator

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Capital Investment
Finance: Health and Human Services Budget Division
Finance: Higher Education and Workforce Development Budget Division
Higher Education and Workforce Development
Jobs, Agriculture and Rural Development
Rules and Administration: Subcommittee on Elections

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88th Legislative Session (2013-2014)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 04

Elected: 11/6/2012

Residence: Twin Valley

Term of Office: 1/7/2013 to 1/1/2017

Counties Represented: Becker, Clay, Norman

Occupation: Educator

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Capital Investment
Finance: Health and Human Services Division
Finance: Higher Education and Workforce Development Division
Higher Education and Workforce Development
Jobs, Agriculture, and Rural Development
Rules and Administration: Elections

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87th Legislative Session (2011-2012)

Session Details

Body: House

District: 02A

Elected: 11/2/2010

Residence: Twin Valley

Term of Office: 1/3/2011 to 1/6/2013

Counties Represented: Becker, Clearwater, Mahnomen, Norman, Polk

Occupation: Educator

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Agriculture and Rural Development Policy and Finance Minutes
Transportation Policy and Finance Minutes
Ways and Means Minutes

Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader

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86th Legislative Session (2009-2010)

Session Details

Body: House

District: 02A

Elected: 11/4/2008

Residence: Twin Valley

Term of Office: 1/5/2009 to 1/2/2011

Counties Represented: Becker, Clearwater, Mahnomen, Norman, Polk

Occupation: Educator, Political Science and History, Community Colleges/Truck Driver, Sugar Beets

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Minutes
Environment Policy and Oversight (Chair) Minutes
Finance: Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Finance Division Minutes
Finance: Cultural and Outdoor Resources Finance Division Minutes
Ways and Means Minutes

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85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

Session Details

Body: House

District: 02A

Elected: 11/7/2006

Residence: Twin Valley

Term of Office: 1/1/2007 to 1/4/2009

Counties Represented: Becker, Clearwater, Mahnomen, Norman, Polk

Occupation: Educator; Adjunct College Professor/Truck Driver, Sugar Beets

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Minutes
Environment and Natural Resources (Chair) Minutes
Finance: Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division Minutes
Finance: Minnesota Heritage Finance Division Minutes
Ways and Means Minutes

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84th Legislative Session (2005-2006)

Session Details

Body: House

District: 02A

Elected: 11/2/2004

Residence: Twin Valley

Term of Office: 1/4/2005 to 1/2/2007

Counties Represented: Becker, Clearwater, Mahnomen, Norman, Polk

Occupation: Teacher

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2005 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2005 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Education Finance Minutes
Education Policy and Reform Minutes
Health Policy and Finance Minutes

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83rd Legislative Session (2003-2004)

Session Details

Body: House

District: 02A

Elected: 11/5/2002

Residence: Twin Valley

Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/3/2005

Counties Represented: Becker, Clearwater, Mahnomen, Norman, Polk

Occupation: High School Social Studies and Economics Teacher; Saint John's Preparatory School, Collegeville

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2003 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Agriculture Policy Minutes
Education Finance Minutes
Education Policy Minutes
Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs Minutes

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OTHER INFORMATION

Articles & Books About
Schmidtke, Erin. "Continuing His Public Service." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, March 9, 2012, p. 18.

Dunn, Ruth. "Like Father, Like Son/Daughter: Legislative Service is Family Affair for Six Members." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, April 22, 2005, p. 20.

Lonergan, Tom. "Like Father, Like Son: Eken Looks to Fight for Family Farms, Quality of Life for All as Member of the House of Representatives." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, March 28, 2003, p. 22.

Lonergan, Tom. "In Their Blood: 16 Legislators Have a Family Connection to Previous Members of the House and Senate." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, February 7, 2003, p. 16-17.

District Files

District File - 2003 District 02A
District File - 2004 District 02A
District File - 2005 District 02A
District File - 2006 District 02A
District File - 2007 District 02A
District File - 2008 District 02A
District File - 2009 District 02A
These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.

The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library has collected newspaper articles on legislators since 1973. They are available in the Library.

Legislators Past & Present Home

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Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, 321 State Capitol, Saint Paul, MN 55155