Meet Steve
Steve’s origin story
Steve’s family inspired his commitment to democracy. Over a century ago, they fled persecution and anti-Semitism in Lithuania, where they had few rights – and where they had no say in who governed them. They found a better life in America, including the freedom to vote. They settled in Minnesota’s Iron Range, opening a dry goods store to serve miners and their families. Later, they moved to St. Paul to start a successful childrens’ clothing manufacturing business.
Steve’s father Ron, an Army veteran, was a renowned sports attorney – representing numerous professional athletes who played for Major League Baseball, the NFL, and the NBA. He experienced health challenges later in life that made voting in person difficult – which inspired Steve to make voting easier for people with disabilities. Steve’s mother, Marlen, was an Austrian immigrant and vibrant entrepreneur who died young of cancer.
Steve lives in Hopkins with his wife Leia, a marketing professional, their two children, Hannah and Noah, and several dogs and cats.
With Steve’s leadership, Minnesota has led the nation in voter turnout for the past three elections in a row.
Moving forward, his top priorities are to defend our democracy, strengthen the freedom to vote for all eligible Minnesotans, push back against dangerous disinformation about our elections, provide support for small businesses, and enhance security protections for our most vulnerable.
Making a Difference
Steve graduated from law school at the University of Minnesota, served as an Assistant Attorney General, and worked in private practice before winning a seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives. He eventually chaired the House Elections Committee and wrote the groundbreaking “No-Excuses” Absentee Voting law, which allows all eligible Minnesotans to vote from home.
Steve ran for Secretary of State to make our elections the most accessible and secure in the country – and he succeeded. His top priorities moving forward are to defend our democracy, strengthen the freedom to vote for all eligible Minnesotans, and push back against dangerous federal overreach.
