Kari Dziedzic

Early life, education, and career

Dziedzic was the daughter of Walt Dziedzic, a longtime Minneapolis City Council member, Minneapolis Park Board member, and police inspector. Her brother is retired NHL player Joe Dziedzic. She attended Edison High School in Minneapolis, and received a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Minnesota.

Dziedzic entered politics as an aide to U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone. Afterward, she worked for Hennepin County, first as communications director for the Hennepin County Attorney, then as a policy aide for County Commissioner Mark Stenglein.

In the private sector, Dziedzic was an executive assistant to Minnesota North Stars owner Norm Green. She filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against him in 1993 that alleged Green had harassed Dziedzic and at least three other female employees of the North Stars. The lawsuit was settled out of court.

Minnesota Senate

Dziedzic was elected in a special election on January 10, 2012, and reelected in November 2012. She succeeded former Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, who had resigned to take a position in the administration of Governor Mark Dayton. Dziedzic was reelected in 2016, 2020, and 2022.

After the DFL retook the Senate majority in the 2022 Minnesota Senate election, Dziedzic was selected to serve as majority leader.

In 2023, Dziedzic was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and on February 2, 2024, she announced that she would step down as majority leader after her cancer had recurred.

Personal life and death

Dziedzic was Catholic. She died from ovarian cancer at an assisted-living facility in Minnesota on December 27, 2024, at the age of 62.

Post-humous honors

In April 2025, the Minnesota Senate unanimously agreed to rename Minneapolis's 10th Avenue Bridge for Dziedzic. It was officially dedicated to Dziedzic during a ceremony on October 1 2025.

References

References

1. "Senate Members' Pronunciation".
2. Minnesota Daily Staff. (November 9, 2016). "Sen. Dziedzic re-elected to senate seat in District 60".
3. (November 11, 2022). "Minnesota Senate Democrats choose Kari Dziedzic of Minneapolis as new majority leader".
4. Grow, Doug. (January 11, 2012). "Dziedzic daughter follows Dad's political advice to victory: 'Always run like you're one vote behind'". MinnPost.
5. Olson, Rochelle. (2018-11-24). "Northeast Minneapolis giant Walt Dziedzic dies at 85".
6. (2016-02-11). "Senator Kari Dziedzic".
7. "Dziedzic, Kari". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library.
8. "North Star Owner Sued For Harassment {{!}} The Seattle Times".
9. Olson, Rochelle. (December 28, 2024). "Former DFL Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic dies of cancer at age 62". Minnesota Star Tribune.
10. [http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2012/01/10/who-needs-new-hampshire-minneapolis-election-winners-susan-allen-and-kari-dziedzic Who needs New Hampshire? Minneapolis election winners: Susan Allen and Kari Dziedzic]
11. "Minnesota Democrats tap Kari Dziedzic as new DFL leader".
12. (February 3, 2024). "Senate majority leader Kari Dziedzic leaving leadership post as cancer returns".
13. Olson, Rochelle. (2022-12-30). "Sen. Kari Dziedzic brings family and political history to biggest leadership role yet".
14. (December 28, 2024). "Kari Dziedzic, former Minnesota Senate Majority Leader, dies at 62".
15. (December 28, 2024). "Minnesota senator and former majority leader Kari Dziedzic has died at 62".
16. (28 December 2024). "Former DFL Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic dies of cancer at age 62".
17. "Minnesota Senate approves renaming Minneapolis bridge in honor of late DFL Sen. Kari Dziedzic".
18. "Twin Cities News 10th Avenue Bridge in Minneapolis dedicated to former Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic".