U of M hires former Senate minority leader as chief lobbyist

The University of Minnesota on Wednesday announced it has hired former Senate Minority Leader Melisa López Franzen as its next chief lobbyist at the State Capitol. 

Beginning Aug. 28, López Franzen will be the U’s executive director of government and community relations, where she will oversee lobbying efforts for all five of the U’s campuses and lobby her former colleagues.

“Melisa is a knowledgeable and dynamic leader. Her meaningful experience in the legislative process, as well as the respect she’s earned from a broad array of state, federal and local officials, will make her an outstanding leader for our government relations work,” U Interim President Jeff Ettinger said in a news release.

López Franzen, who served three terms in the Legislature, decided not to seek reelection last year despite her leadership status because her former district was radically altered by redistricting. She’s the co-founder and president of a public affairs firm called NewPublica.

López Franzen will also be a member of the U’s “senior leadership team,” according to the release.

“I am eager to advocate on behalf of the University of Minnesota,” López Franzen said in the release. “Its research focus and land grant mission are significant assets to our state, and I am humbled by this opportunity to contribute to this great institution.”

With her new role with the U, she will join a growing list of former Minnesota lawmakers turned lobbyists, including former Sens. Tom Bakk, Patricia Torres Ray, Chuck Wiger and Jeff Hayden.

The U did not immediately respond to the Reformer’s request for López Franzen’s annual salary.