About Ron

 

Senator Ron Latz

Currently serving Minnesota Senate District 46.

Ron’s dedicated public service and work experience has served the community for decades. His roots run deep in Senate District 46 as well as in elected office. He grew up in Golden Valley, attended Hopkins Public Schools and has served on multiple community boards, from the St. Louis Park Community Education Advisory Council and the Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing to the Anti-Defamation League’s National Commission and Civil Rights Committee.

After Ron received his law degree from Harvard University, he moved back to the district and began work as an Assistant Attorney General in the Public Safety and Human Services Divisions under Minnesota Attorney General Hubert Humphrey III. Today, Ron practices law in his own firm and represents individuals primarily in employment law and criminal defense matters.

Ron’s experience in local government has helped shape his understanding of the communities he serves. He served on the St. Louis Park City Council for nine years and was elected to represent the area in the Minnesota House in 2002. He was then elected to the represent Senate District 46 in the Minnesota Senate in 2006. The district includes all of St. Louis Park and Hopkins, and the northwest quarter of Edina.

Ron serves as the chair of the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee and is a member of the Commerce and Consumer Protection Finance and Policy Committee. In these positions he has led criminal justice and prison reform efforts and consumer protection initiatives, including passing far-reaching changes in these areas.

Ron’s community service runs deep.

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

  • Attorney General’s Task Forces on Health Care & Privacy

Ron’s Vision

  • Leading on Gun Violence Prevention:
    Ron has been a leading author and champion of landmark gun violence prevention legislation, including his own bills establishing extreme risk protection orders and expanding background checks to keep guns out of dangerous situations and make communities safer.

    Protecting Community Health & Well-being:
    From securing the statewide smoking ban to ensuring critical resources for frontline healthcare workers, Ron prioritizes the health and safety of Minnesotans.

    Building Secure Infrastructure:
    Ron advocates for essential investments in safe roads, bridges, and reliable public transit, creating a foundational environment where all residents can thrive securely.

  • Championing Economic Opportunity & Fair Wages: Ron fights for policies like paid sick leave, family leave, and a $15 minimum wage, ensuring working families and small businesses have the support they need to prosper.

    Investing in Affordable Living: As a key legislative leader in the Southwest Light Rail project and an advocate for affordable housing, Ron is dedicated to expanding access to critical transportation and attainable homes for everyone.

    Driving a Clean Energy Economy: Ron is committed to reducing emissions, growing clean energy solutions, and creating green jobs that build a sustainable, affordable future for Minnesota.

  • Reforming Criminal Justice for Fairness:
    Ron has authored landmark legislation on drug sentencing reform, prison population reduction, and compensation for the wrongfully convicted, while also advancing successful community re-entry initiatives that help formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrate, reduce recidivism, and strengthen public safety. He has also worked on reforms focused on police training and accountability to improve trust and outcomes in the justice system.

    Advancing Civil Rights & Equity:
    From authoring Minnesota’s “Ban the Box” law to increasing penalties for bias crimes and championing women’s and LGBTQ+ rights, Ron is a fierce advocate for protecting the dignity and rights of all individuals.

    Ensuring Accountability & Consumer Protection:
    Through his work strengthening consumer protections, enforcing corporate accountability, and standing up for victims, Ron has helped advance reforms such as the Child Victims Act, protections against fraud and predatory practices, and stronger safeguards to ensure fairness and transparency for everyday Minnesotans.