Carly Melin (born August 13, 1985) is a Minnesota politician and former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), she represented District 6A, which included portions of the Iron Range in Itasca and St. Louis counties in northeastern Minnesota. In February 2018, Melin became executive director of the Minnesota State Building and Construction Trades Council, a labor group representing 70,000 union members.[1] On January 31, 2019, Attorney General Keith Ellison appointed Melin as government affairs director for his office.[2]
Carly Melin | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 6A district 5B (2011–2013) | |
| In office February 22, 2011 – January 2, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Tony Sertich |
| Succeeded by | Julie Sandstede |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 13, 1985 Hibbing, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Bemidji State University (BS) Hamline University (JD) |
| Occupation | lawyer |
Early life, education, and career
editMelin attended Hibbing High School in Hibbing, Minnesota. She received a B.S. in political science magna cum laude from Bemidji State University and a J.D. from Hamline University School of Law in Saint Paul, Minnesota. After graduating, she returned to the Iron Range to practice law, accepting a position with the Minnesota State Judiciary.[3][4]
Minnesota House of Representatives
editMelin won a special election held on February 15, 2011, to fill the vacancy that arose after Governor Mark Dayton appointed Representative Tony Sertich commissioner of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board.[5][6] She was reelected in 2012 and 2014,[3] but did not seek reelection in 2016, citing a desire to spend more time raising her two sons.[7]
Post-House of Representatives career
editIn February 2018, Melin became executive director of the Minnesota State Building and Construction Trades Council, a labor group representing 70,000 union members.[8] On January 31, 2019, Attorney General Keith Ellison appointed Melin as government affairs director for his office.[9]
In 2021, Melin was hired as the DFL chief of staff for the Minnesota Senate by Melisa López Franzen.[10] She left the chief of staff position in early 2024 before the start of the legislative session.[11] Melin settled with the Minnesota Senate for $110,000 over claims that Melin was discriminated against due to her husband's political activities.[12] Her husband, Joe Radinovich, worked for the mayor of Minneapolis, Jacob Frey, and managed the political campaign of Don Samuels.[10] Despite the settlement payment, the Minnesota Senate denied any wrongdoing or that any discrimination took place.[13]
Personal life
editMelin married her high school sweetheart Zeb Norenberg[14] on June 8, 2013. They have two sons.[15] Melin and Norenberg divorced in 2017. Melin met former state representative Joe Radinovich while in office and they announced their engagement in July 2018.[16][13] Melin and Radinovich have since married.[13]
References
edit- ^ "Former Rep. Carly Melin lands union post". Duluth News Tribune. February 26, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
- ^ Pugmire, Tim (January 31, 2019). "AG Ellison's latest hires include litigator, ex-lawmaker". Retrieved January 31, 2019.
- ^ a b "Melin, Carly". Legislators Past & Present. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
- ^ "About". Carly Melin for Representative. Archived from the original on March 16, 2016. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
- ^ Brown, Aaron (February 16, 2011). "Carly Melin wins House 5B special election". MinnesotaBrown. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
- ^ "Governor Dayton Announces Representative Tony Sertich to Head Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board" (Press release). State of Minnesota. January 11, 2011. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
- ^ Myers, John (January 14, 2016). "Carly Melin won't seek re-election to Legislature". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
- ^ "Former Rep. Carly Melin lands union post". Duluth News Tribune. February 26, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
- ^ Pugmire, Tim (January 31, 2019). "AG Ellison's latest hires include litigator, ex-lawmaker". Retrieved January 31, 2019.
- ^ a b Bierschbach, Briana (March 26, 2024). "Minnesota Senate approves $110,000 settlement with former DFL chief of staff". Star Tribune. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ Griffith, Michelle (December 11, 2023). "Senate DFL chief of staff departing • Minnesota Reformer". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ Griffith, Michelle (26 March 2024). "Minnesota Senate to pay former DFL chief of staff $110K in discrimination settlement • Minnesota Reformer". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ a b c Ferguson, Dana (26 March 2024). "Minnesota Senate to pay former top DFL aide $110K to settle claims over her dismissal". MPR News. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ "Senate, governor last two gay marriage steps". Grand Forks Herald. May 9, 2013. Archived from the original on 2019-02-01. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
- ^ "20 Under 40: Carly Melin". Duluth News Tribune. September 14, 2017. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
- ^ "Melin and Radinovich announce engagement". Hibbing Daily Tribune. July 29, 2018. Archived from the original on 2020-06-21. Retrieved January 31, 2019.