Conservatives saw many victories across the country in the 2024 election. But in Minnesota, progressives were victorious, and Minnesotans stood firm at the ballot box to defend our communities and build a better Minnesota for everyone. 

From conservation funding to the state legislature and the United States Congress, Minnesotans delivered results that reflect progressive values: keeping our schools funded, air clean, reproductive freedoms intact, and communities strong. 

Here are a few of the Minnesota progressive victories we’re celebrating post-election: 

The first Kenyan legislator in U.S. History will lead in the Minnesota House.

Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley made history when she became the first Kenyan immigrant to win a state assembly seat anywhere in the United States. 

Hiltsley’s first major leadership role in Minnesota was serving as the president of Mwanyagetinge, Minnesota’s largest organization of Kenyans. Now, as a legislator, she promises to work towards building a Minnesota with high-quality education, affordable housing, and accessible health care for all.

She’ll represent Minnesota House District 38A in the upcoming legislative session.

Minnesotans voted to protect our water, air, parks, and forests in a landslide victory for conservation. 

Minnesota overwhelmingly said yes to a constitutional amendment that renews the use of proceeds from the Minnesota Lottery for environmental projects and causes across the state.

The impacts of the funds are far-reaching, helping aid local communities, protect ecosystems, promote outdoor recreation, improve health outcomes, emphasize environmental equity, bolster agricultural resiliency, and support thriving businesses and good-paying jobs.

An OB-GYN will represent Minnesotans in Congress.

Former Minnesota legislator and OB-GYN Kelly Morrison was elected to represent Minnesota in the United States House of Representatives. 

Morrison is a practicing OB-GYN who is ready to join the national fight to protect and restore reproductive rights. 

As a state senator, Morrison led the charge on the bill that codified abortion rights in Minnesota law. 

With another Trump presidency looming, Morrison has vowed to use her experience as both an OB-GYN and as a legislator to stand up for reproductive health care and fight back against conservative extremism. 

Minnesotan re-elected Angie Craig, one of the country’s first LGBTQ+ lawmakers.

In 2018, Representative Angie Craig made history by becoming the first openly gay person to represent Minnesota in Congress. With four sons, she is also Congress’s first openly gay mom.

During a time when the rights of women and LGBTQ+ people are under attack by conservatives across the country, it’s essential to have strong LGBTQ+ voices in government, like Angie Craig’s.

Minnesotans voted for Kamala Harris despite her national loss to Donald Trump.

Kamala Harris won Minnesota’s ten electoral votes in the 2024 election, maintaining a streak of progressive victories in presidential elections since 1972. 

Minnesotans’ rejection of Donald Trump solidifies what we already knew: Minnesotans won’t stand for leaders who want to roll back reproductive rights, ban abortion, and put large corporations over the needs of our families and communities. 

Across the state, Minnesotans voted for public schools. 

Referendums aimed at increasing funding for 29 school districts were voted into law by Minnesotans. 

The referendums will invest in Minnesota students and communities by increasing staff, investing in mental health and social work resources, upgrading technology, and lowering class sizes. 

Progressives retain control of the Minnesota Senate after winning a special election.

Progressive Ann Johnson Stewart won the race in Minnesota’s State Senate District 45 special election, meaning progressives will keep control of the state Senate for the 2025-2026 legislative session.

With control of the Senate, a tie in the State House, and Gov. Walz in the gubernatorial office, Minnesota progressives have an opportunity to continue the work of the progressive trifecta by investing in public education, making health care more accessible, fighting for reproductive rights, and building an economy that works for everyone. With such slim margins, this work won’t be easy, but with Minnesotans standing behind them, we trust our progressive lawmakers to have our backs and fight for our families and communities.

Stay with us in the fight to build a better Minnesota.

2024 wasn’t a cakewalk for progressives, but Minnesotans stood up once again to fight for our communities and deliver victories, big and small, from the United States Congress to our local state parks, that will keep Minnesota values at the forefront.  

Sign up to stay informed about opportunities to get involved and stay up-to-date on Minnesota politics. Together, we’ll fight for our communities and work to build a better Minnesota.