Rob Kupec
Rob Kupec | |
|---|---|
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| Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 4th district | |
| Assumed office January 4, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Kent Eken |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 27, 1968 |
| Political party | Democratic (DFL) |
| Spouse | Deb White |
| Children | 1 |
| Residence | Moorhead, Minnesota |
| Alma mater | State University of New York-Albany |
| Profession | Meteorologist |
Robert J. Kupec (/ˈkuːpɛk/ KOO-pek;[1] born November 27, 1968) is a Minnesota politician and member of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), he represents Senate District 4, which includes most of Clay and Becker counties. Prior to seeking elected office, he was for a decade the chief meteorologist at KVRR and previously at WDAY-TV.
Early life, education, and career
[edit]Kupec was born in eastern Connecticut.[2] Both of his parents were active union organizers. He attended college at the State University of New York-Albany, studying Atmospheric Science, and earned a degree in 1992.[3] He moved to Moorhead, Minnesota in 2000, and began work as a meteorologist, first for WDAY-TV and then served as chief meteorologist for KVRR.
Political career
[edit]Prior to moving to Minnesota, Kupec ran as a Green party candidate for the Albany County Legislature in 1999.[4][5]
In 2022, incumbent DFL state senator Kent Eken decided not to seek reelection.[6] Kupec ran, and was unopposed in the DFL primary. He defeated Moorhead City Councilman and Republican Dan Bohmer in the general election, winning 52.5% of the vote compared to Bohmer's 46.8%.[7]
Kupec serves on the following committees:[8]
- Vice Chair: Agriculture, Broadband, and Rural Development
- Health and Human Services
- Higher Education
- Labor
Personal life
[edit]He is married to Deb White, a Moorhead City Councilwoman.[5] They have one son, Quinn.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ "Senate Members' Pronunciation". Minnesota Legislature. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
- ^ "About". Kupec 4 MN Senate. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
- ^ "Rob Kupec". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
- ^ "Robert Kupec Runs for County Legislature, 1999 – GPUS Elections Database". Retrieved 2023-03-14.
- ^ a b "McFeely: TV meteorologist Rob Kupec makes bid for Minnesota state senate". InForum. 2022-05-05. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
- ^ Carvell, Tasha. "Sen. Kent Eken retiring from Minnesota legislature". The Mighty 790 KFGO | KFGO. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
- ^ Janke, Ryan. "Kupec wins District 4 state senate seat". The Mighty 790 KFGO | KFGO. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
- ^ "MN State Senate". www.senate.mn. Retrieved 2023-03-14.
- ^ "About Deb – Deb White for City Council". Retrieved 2023-03-14.