Leigh Finke (she/her) was raised in Delano, and Maple Grove, Minnesota. Leigh graduated from Bethel College in 2003 and received her Master of Arts in Shakespeare from DePaul University in 2007. After short turns in Chicago and Missoula, MT, Leigh moved home to Saint Paul, becoming a long-time renter and resident of the Midway neighborhood.

In the years prior to running for office Leigh worked as a journalist, media creator, and documentary filmmaker. In 2022, she was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives, becoming the first out trans person elected to the Minnesota Legislature. Throughout her first term, Leigh has served as the chair of the Queer Legislators’ Caucus.

Leigh’s political activism began at Bethel, when she took an active role in protesting the war in Iraq. She has never stopped advocating for civil liberties at home and abroad. Today, Leigh is a committed and passionate advocate for 2SLGBTQIA+ equality, abortion rights, prison justice, and environmental equity. She was named Minnesota Woman of the Year by USA Today in 2023, a 2023 Changemaker by Minnesota Public Radio, and won the 2023 Health Hero Award at Children’s Minnesota.

In her personal time, Leigh enjoys writing, painting, traveling, skateboarding, and organizing community events, and exploring Minnesota’s parks with her kids.