Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn
{{Short description|American politician}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn
|image = File:Kotyza-Witthuhn PRO Act Bill Signing (cropped).jpg
|state_house = Minnesota
|district = 49B
|constituency = 49B (2023-present)
48B (2019-2022)
|term_start = January 8, 2019
|term_end =
|predecessor = Jenifer Loon
|successor =
|birth_date = {{Birth based on age as of date|31|2018|10|26}}
|birth_place =
|death_date =
|death_place =
|party = Democratic (DFL)
|spouse = Rory
|children = 4
|residence = Eden Prairie, Minnesota
|education = University of St. Thomas (B.A.)
|occupation = {{hlist|Operations analyst|Legislator}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.house.mn.gov/members/profile/15515|Government website}} {{URL|https://www.carlieforhouse.com/|Campaign website}}
}}
Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (born 1986/1987) is an American politician serving since 2019 in the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Kotyza-Witthuhn represents District 49B in the southwestern Twin Cities metropolitan area, which includes the city of Eden Prairie and other parts of Hennepin County, Minnesota.{{cite web |title=Kotyza-Witthuhn, Carlie |url=https://www.leg.state.mn.us/legdb/fulldetail?ID=15515 |accessdate=November 9, 2018 |publisher=Minnesota Legislative Reference Library |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Rep. Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (49B) - Minnesota House of Representatives |url=https://www.house.mn.gov/members/profile/15515 |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=www.house.mn.gov}}
Early life, education, and career
Kotyza-Witthuhn grew up in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and attended the University of St. Thomas, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in entrepreneurship. She is an operations analyst.{{Cite web |last=Bierschbach |first=Briana |date=January 25, 2023 |title=Women legislators lead push to shape future of abortion rights in Minnesota |url=https://www.startribune.com/women-legislators-lead-push-to-shape-future-of-abortion-access-in-minnesota/600246413/ |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Star Tribune}}
Minnesota House of Representatives
Kotyza-Witthuhn was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2018 and has been reelected every two years since. She defeated five-term Republican incumbent Jenifer Loon.
Kotyza-Witthuhn has served as vice chair of the Commerce Finance and Policy Committee since 2021. She also sits on the Children and Families Finance and Policy, Economic Development Finance and Policy, and Human Services Finance Committees.
= Abortion =
Kotyza-Witthuhn is pro-choice, criticized the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and was a founding member of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus.{{Cite web |last=Wurzer |first=Cathy |last2=Brown |first2=Gretchen |date=January 5, 2023 |title=New bill would codify abortion rights into Minnesota law |url=https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2023/01/05/new-bill-would-codify-abortion-rights-into-minnesota-law |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=MPR News |language=en}} In 2023, she authored the Minnesota House's H.F. 1, also known as the Protect Reproductive Options Act, or PRO Act.{{Cite web |last=Bierschbach |first=Briana |date=January 5, 2023 |title=Minnesota Democrats move quickly to codify abortion access in state law |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-democrats-move-quickly-to-codify-abortion-access-in-state-law/600241069/ |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Star Tribune}} The bill added a "fundamental right" to "continue the pregnancy and give birth, or obtain an abortion" in state law. It also protects rights to contraception, sterilization, family planning, and counseling. The bill passed the House on January 19 and was signed by Governor Tim Walz on January 31, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Ferguson |first=Dana |date=January 19, 2023 |title=Minnesota House passes right to abortion bill as supporters and opponents gather |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2023/01/19/minnesota-house-debates-right-to-abortion-supporters-and-opponents-gather |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=MPR News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Deng |first=Grace |date=2023-01-20 |title=Right to abortion passes Minnesota House, heads to Senate |url=https://minnesotareformer.com/2023/01/19/right-to-abortion-passes-minnesota-house-heads-to-senate/ |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Minnesota Reformer |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Bierschbach |first=Briana |date=January 31, 2023 |title=Gov. Tim Walz signs law strengthening abortion rights in Minnesota |url=https://www.startribune.com/gov-tim-walz-to-sign-law-to-strengthen-abortion-rights-in-minnesota/600247932/ |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Star Tribune}}
= Education and child care =
Kotyza-Witthuhn has spoken about the challenges of being a mother to a young child while in the legislature, and about the benefits of remote work for legislators with children at home.{{Cite web |last=Yuen |first=Laura |date=May 7, 2022 |title=This Mother’s Day, envision a Legislature that welcomed more moms to public service |url=https://www.startribune.com/yuen050822/600171000/ |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Star Tribune}}{{Cite web |last=Stoozas |first=Sam |date=May 8, 2022 |title=Archaic rules make motherhood a challenge for women in Minnesota politics |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2022/05/08/archaic-rules-make-motherhood-a-challenge-for-women-in-minnesota-politics |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=MPR News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Condon |first=Patrick |date=May 15, 2021 |title=Hobbled by pandemic, Minnesota Legislature winds down with a whimper |url=https://www.startribune.com/hobbled-by-pandemic-minnesota-legislature-winds-down-with-a-whimper/600057718/ |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Star Tribune}} She authored legislation to significantly increase Parent Aware funding, which funds day care and early-learning providers.{{Cite web |last=St. Anthony |first=Neal |date=July 3, 2021 |title=Legislature fell short on help for Minnesota's most vulnerable preschool kids |url=https://www.startribune.com/st-anthony-legislature-fell-short-on-help-for-minnesotas-most-vulnerable-preschool-kids/600074691/ |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Star Tribune}}{{Cite web |last=St. Anthony |first=Neal |date=May 8, 2021 |title=Backing for preschool scholarships grows at Minnesota Legislature |url=https://www.startribune.com/business-backed-preschool-scholarships-growing-at-minn-legislature/600055026/ |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Star Tribune}} She has supported proposals to increase prenatal and early childhood education.{{Cite web |last=Shockman |first=Elizabeth |date=January 18, 2019 |title=4 ways MN lawmakers hope to boost education |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/01/18/education-minnesota-lawmakers-legislation-proposals |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=MPR News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=The Associated Press |date=February 6, 2020 |title=MN House Democrats seek more early childhood funding |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/02/06/mn-house-democrats-seek-more-early-childhood-funding |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=MPR News |language=en}}
= Other political positions =
Kotyza-Witthuhn authored a bill to reinstate the angel tax credit program, giving tax breaks to investors who help start businesses in Minnesota.{{Cite web |last=Van Berkel |first=Jessie |date=February 8, 2019 |title=Tax credits proposed to spur business investments in Minnesota |url=https://www.startribune.com/tax-credits-proposed-to-spur-business-investments-in-minnesota/505590132/ |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Star Tribune}}{{Cite web |last=Orenstein |first=Walker |date=2019-02-05 |title=The ‘angel’ tax credit for investors in startups could be on its way back to Minnesota |url=https://www.minnpost.com/good-jobs/2019/02/the-angel-tax-credit-for-investors-in-startups-could-be-on-its-way-back-to-minnesota/ |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=MinnPost |language=en-US}} She also introduced legislation to ban nonessential PFAS chemicals in children's products.{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Madison |date=2023-03-16 |title=A look at the four Minnesota bills proposing regulations on PFAS chemicals |url=https://www.minnpost.com/environment/2023/03/a-look-at-the-four-bills-regulating-pfas-chemicals-being-considered-at-the-minnesota-legislature/ |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=MinnPost |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Winter |first=Deena |date=2023-02-01 |title=House panel considers 3 bills that would strictly regulate 'forever chemicals' |url=https://minnesotareformer.com/2023/01/31/house-panel-considers-3-bills-that-would-strictly-regulate-forever-chemicals/ |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Minnesota Reformer |language=en-US}}
Electoral history
{{Election box begin no change
| title = 2018 Minnesota State House - District 48B{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=115&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=450&show=Go|title=2018 Results for State Representative District 48B|access-date=February 22, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| votes = 10,397
| percentage = 50.53
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Jenifer Loon (incumbent)
| party = Republican Party of Minnesota
| votes = 10,156
| percentage = 49.36
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
| votes = 24
| percentage = 0.12
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 20,577
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box gain with party link without swing
| winner = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| loser = Republican Party of Minnesota
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = 2020 Minnesota State House - District 48B{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=136&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=450&show=Go|title=2020 Results for State Representative District 48B|access-date=February 22, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (incumbent)
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| votes = 13,410
| percentage = 55.00
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Holly Link
| party = Republican Party of Minnesota
| votes = 10,962
| percentage = 44.96
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
| votes = 12
| percentage = 0.05
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 24,384
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = 2022 Minnesota State House - District 49B{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=149&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=452&show=Go|title=2022 Results for State Representative District 49B|access-date=February 22, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (incumbent)
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| votes = 11,406
| percentage = 57.62
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Thomas Knecht
| party = Republican Party of Minnesota
| votes = 8,374
| percentage = 42.30
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
| votes = 15
| percentage = 0.08
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 19,795
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
|title = 2024 Minnesota State House - District 49B{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.mn.gov/results/Index?ErsElectionId=170&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=452&show=Go|title=2024 Results for State Representative District 49B|access-date=December 18, 2024|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| candidate = Carlie Kotyza-Witthuhn (incumbent)
| votes =13,529
| percentage =57.11
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate =Wendi Russo
| votes =10,138
| percentage =42.8
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
| votes =21
| percentage =0.09
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes =23,688
| percentage =100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
}}
{{Election box end}}
Personal life
Kotyza-Witthuhn and her husband, Rory, have four children, three of whom were adopted from the foster care system. They reside in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and attend St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Edina.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{MN-legdb|15515}}
- [https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/profile/15515 Official House of Representatives website]
- [https://www.carlieforhouse.com/ Official campaign website]
{{Minnesota House of Representatives}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kotyza-Witthuhn, Carlie}}
Category:People from Eden Prairie, Minnesota
Category:University of St. Thomas (Minnesota) alumni
Category:Democratic Party members of the Minnesota House of Representatives
Category:21st-century American women politicians