Ryan Winkler

Ryan Patrick Winkler (born December 30, 1975) is a Minnesota politician and majority leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives.[1] A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), he represents District 46A, which includes portions of the cities of Golden Valley, Plymouth, and St. Louis Park in Hennepin County.[2]

Ryan Winkler
Majority Leader of the Minnesota House of Representatives
Incumbent
Assumed office January 8, 2019
Preceded by	Joyce Peppin
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 46A district 44B (2007–2013)
Incumbent
Assumed office January 8, 2019
Preceded by	Peggy Flanagan
In office January 3, 2007 – July 1, 2015
Preceded by	Ron Latz
Succeeded by	Peggy Flanagan
Personal details
Born	December 30, 1975 Bemidji, Minnesota, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Children	3
Education	Harvard University (BA) University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (JD)

In February 2018, Winkler announced his intentions to run for the legislative office he previously held in District 46A.[3] He was re-elected, succeeding Peggy Flanagan, who had left the house to run for lieutenant governor.

DFL legislators elected Winkler to serve as Majority Leader in November 2018, and he took office in January 2019.

Education

Winkler graduated with a B.A. in history from Harvard University in 1998 and J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2001.[2]

Minnesota House of Representatives

He was first elected in 2006, and was re-elected in 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014.

Elections

2014 Minnesota State Representative- House 46A[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic (DFL)	Ryan Winkler	10666	66.17
	Republican	Timothy O. Manthey	5425	33.66

2012 Minnesota State Representative- House 46A[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic (DFL)	Ryan Winkler	15249	65.89
	Republican	John Swanson	7860	33.96

2010 Minnesota State Representative- House 44B[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic (DFL)	Ryan Winkler	10605	64.64
	Republican	Rick Rice	5788	35.28

2008 Minnesota State Representative- House 44B[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic (DFL)	Ryan Winkler	14524	66.80
	Republican	Bill Kadue	7162	32.94

2006 Minnesota State Representative- House 44B[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic (DFL)	Ryan Winkler	11987	69.29
	Republican	John Palmatier	5276	30.50

Resignation

On May 21, 2015, Winkler announced he would resign effective July 1, 2015. His wife at the time, Jenny, accepted a job as an executive with the Rezidor Hotel Group, which is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, and his family moved there to support her.[9]

Comments on Voting Rights Act lawsuit

Following the United States Supreme Court's decision in Shelby County v. Holder, Winkler took to Twitter to write, "VRA majority is four accomplices to race discrimination and one Uncle Thomas" referring to Justice Clarence Thomas, an African American. "Uncle Tom" is a derogatory used against blacks who are perceived as being apologetic for their race. Winkler later deleted the tweet and posted, "Deleted Tweet causing offense regarding Justice Thomas. I apologize for it, but believe VRA decision does abet racism."[10] On Twitter, he added that he did not understand "Uncle Tom" as a racist term.[11]

References

1. Mohr, Jonathan. "DFL chooses Hortman as next House speaker, Winkler as majority leader". Minnesota House of Representatives. State of Minnesota. Retrieved January 8, 2019.
2. "Minnesota Legislators Past & Present - Legislator Record - Winkler, Ryan". Venus.library.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
3. Featherly, Kevin (February 1, 2018). "Bar Buzz: 3 Dems drop out of AG race as Swanson stays in". Minnesota Lawyer. Minneapolis, MN. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
4. "Results for State Representative District 46A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
5. "Results for State Representative District 46A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
6. "Results for State Representative District 44B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on July 1, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
7. "Results for State Representative District 44B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on July 1, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
8. "Results for State Representative District 44B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on July 1, 2015. Retrieved July 1, 2015.
9. http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_28161781/sharp-tongued-dfl-rep-ryan-winkler-resign-move
10. "DFL Rep. Winkler tweets and deletes "Uncle Thomas" to Supreme Court Justice". Star Tribune. June 25, 2013.
11. Gentilviso, Chris (June 25, 2013). "Ryan Winkler Deletes 'Uncle Thomas' Voting Rights Act Tweet, Issues Apology". Huffington Post.

External links

• Ryan Winkler at Minnesota Legislators Past & Present