Athena Hollins
Athena Hollins | |
---|---|
File:Athena Hollins 2024 forum.jpg | |
Majority Whip of the Minnesota House of Representatives | |
Assumed office January 3, 2023 | |
Preceded by | Kaohly Her |
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 66B district | |
Assumed office January 5, 2021 | |
Preceded by | John Lesch |
Personal details | |
Born | Hawaii | October 18, 1983
Political party | Democratic (DFL) |
Spouse | married |
Children | 2 |
Residence | Saint Paul, Minnesota |
Education | Reed College (B.A.) University of Saint Thomas (J.D.) |
Occupation | |
Website | Government website Campaign website |
Athena Hollins (born October 18, 1983) is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2021. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Hollins represents District 66B, which includes parts of Saint Paul in Ramsey County, Minnesota.[1][2] Since 2023, Hollins has served as majority whip for the House DFL caucus.[3]
Early life, education, and career
Born in Hawaii, Hollins attended Reed College, graduating with a B.A. in psychology, and the University of Saint Thomas, graduating with a J.D. in 2011.[1] After graduating from law school, Hollins practiced family law and estate planning. She served as president of the Payne-Phalen Community Council.[4] She works in community relations and diversity and inclusion, serving as a senior director of diversity and foundations.[5]
Minnesota House of Representatives
Hollins was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2020 and was reelected in 2022. She challenged nine-term DFL incumbent John Lesch for the DFL endorsement and lost, but defeated him in the primary election.[6][7] In 2021, Hollins introduced legislation to ban the use of no-knock warrants in the state of Minnesota, however lawmakers ended up approving a less restrictive policy.[8] After the police killing of Amir Locke, she introduced a bill to further limit no-knocks, which Governor Walz stated he would sign if it came to his desk. That proposal passed the House floor in 2022 as part of a larger public safety bill, but was opposed by Senate Republicans and chair of the Senate Public Safety Committee, Warren Limmer.[9][10] Hollins has been critical of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officer's Association, stating the MPPOA has been "steadfast in support of the status quo".[11] Hollins signed on to a letter calling on the Biden administration to stop Line 3, a tar sands pipeline proposed to cut through Minnesota tribal lands.[12] She authored legislation requiring manufacturers to disclose when PFAS chemicals are added to their products, and a bill to jump-start the battery industry for storing renewable energy.[13][14] Hollins supports legalizing marijuana and expunging prior convictions.[15]
Electoral history
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic (DFL) | Athena Hollins | 2,974 | 60.73 | |
Democratic (DFL) | John Lesch (incumbent) | 1,923 | 39.27 | |
Total votes | 4,897 | 100.00 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic (DFL) | Athena Hollins | 12,871 | 78.59 | |
Republican | Mikki Murray | 3,449 | 21.06 | |
Write-in | 57 | 0.35 | ||
Total votes | 16,377 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic (DFL) hold |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic (DFL) | Athena Hollins (incumbent) | 8,640 | 78.42 | |
Republican | Jay Hill | 2,364 | 21.46 | |
Write-in | 14 | 0.13 | ||
Total votes | 11,018 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic (DFL) hold |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic (DFL) | Athena Hollins (incumbent) | 10,864 | 76.12 | |
Republican | Greg Copeland | 3,370 | 23.61 | |
Write-in | 38 | 0.27 | ||
Total votes | 14,272 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic (DFL) hold |
Personal life
Hollins lives in the Payne-Phalen neighborhood of Saint Paul, Minnesota, with her spouse.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Cite error: Invalid
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- ↑ "Rep. Athena Hollins (66B) - Minnesota House of Representatives". www.house.mn.gov. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
- ↑ Oot, Torey Van (2022-11-14). "Meet Minnesota's new legislative leaders". Axios. Retrieved 2023-02-25.
- ↑ Coolican, J. Patrick; Van Oot, Torey (October 27, 2019). "Impatient for change, progressives line up to challenge DFL incumbents". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
- ↑ Hilger, Carrie (November 30, 2020). "Q&A with School of Law Alumna Athena Hollins '11 J.D."
- ↑ Oot, Torey Van; Condon, Patrick (August 12, 2020). "Progressives shake up DFL incumbents in Minnesota". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
- ↑ "Athena Hollins Wins Seat In Minnesota State House, Pledging To Fight For Broad Police Reforms". The Appeal.
- ↑ Orenstein, Walker (2022-02-21). "Why the Legislature is considering carving out exceptions for no-knock entries that already exist". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
- ↑ Pugmire, Tim (February 17, 2022). "House panel advances bill to limit no-knock warrants". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
- ↑ Navratil, Liz; Montemayor, Stephen; Tribune, Susan Du Star. "Amir Locke's family, activists renew calls for ban on no-knock warrants after prosecutors opt not to charge officer". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
- ↑ Orenstein, Walker (2022-11-03). "Police association endorsements among most coveted, controversial in Minnesota". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
- ↑ Keeler, Heather; McEwen, Jen; Kunesh, Mary. "OPINION EXCHANGE | Next up for Biden: Stop Line 3". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
- ↑ Marohn, Kristi (January 24, 2023). "DFL lawmakers push to restrict use of 'forever chemicals'". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
- ↑ Orenstein, Walker (2023-02-27). "With carbon-free in place, Minnesota DFLers now debate energy storage mandate". MinnPost. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
- ↑ The Associated Press. "What Minnesota's most diverse Legislature means for policy". MPR News. Retrieved 2023-03-01.
- ↑ "2020 DFL Primary Results for State Representative District 66B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
- ↑ "2020 Results for State Representative District 66B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
- ↑ "2022 Results for State Representative District 66B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
- ↑ "Results for All State Representative Races". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
External links
- 1983 births
- Living people
- Democratic Party members of the Minnesota House of Representatives
- Women state legislators in Minnesota
- Reed College alumni
- University of St. Thomas (Minnesota) alumni
- Minnesota lawyers
- 21st-century American women politicians
- African-American state legislators in Minnesota
- 21st-century members of the Minnesota Legislature