Senator Ron Latz was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2006 and re-elected in 2010 to represent District 44, which includes all of St. Louis Park, Hopkins and two-thirds of Golden Valley. Prior to being elected to the Senate, Ron served for four years in the Minnesota House of Representatives and for nine years on the St. Louis Park City Council.

Senator Latz was appointed by his colleagues to serve at the lead Democrat on the Judiciary and Public Safety Budget and Policy Committee, and on the Senate’s Higher Education Budget & Policy Committee.  In his previous term, he served on  the Business, and Industry & Jobs Committee and as the vice-chair of the Public Safety Budget Division, and as a Senate Majority Whip.

Ron grew up with politics at home. His father, Bob Latz, served in the House from 1959 to 1967 and was the DFL-endorsed candidate for Attorney General in 1966. His grandfather, Rubin Latz, was the President of the Minneapolis Council of Business Agents in the 1930s and 1940s, coming out of the Laundry and Dry Cleaners Union. Ron’s mother, Carolyn, was on a number of community boards, recently served as a national vice-president of the Brandeis University National Women’s Committee and helped founded the BOND organization.  Redistricting gave Ron a chance to represent the community in which he grew up (Golden Valley) and the community in which he has made his current home (St. Louis Park).

Senator Latz’s political experience is not limited to the elected realm. Before being elected to the St. Louis Park City Council, Ron served as a Minnesota Assistant Attorney General from 1989-1995. In the Attorney Generals office, Ron worked with the Public Safety and Human Services Divisions including representing the state DARE program.

Ron’s community service runs deep as well. He has served on many boards, including: American Cancer Society, (Hennepin unit, and State Advocacy Chair), Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing, Temple Israel Board of Trustees, Anti-Defamation League National Commission and National Civil Rights & Education Committees, St. Louis Park Community Education Advisory Council, Twin West Chamber of Commerce Leadership Program participant and the Attorney General’s Task Forces on Health Care & Privacy.

Ron is also an Attorney and a small business owner.  His private practice includes employment discrimination cases.  Ron resides in St. Louis Park, is married to Julia Shmidov Latz and together they have three children, Nathan, Miya and Yana.