Leah is a Korean born Norwegian-American raised on a 5th generation family farm in North Dakota. Her parents; a public school teacher and a farmer, raised raised their children to strive academically, to dream big dreams, and to always remember one’s responsibilities to one’s community. Leah is a graduate of St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN.
Leah has a long history in Democratic politics. She interned for former Congressman Earl Pomeroy and served on staff for the late Senator Paul Wellstone. She has held various positions in the DFL; including senate district chair, Treasurer of the DFL AAPI constituency caucus, and a Biden national delegate.
“As a person of faith I am compelled to use my eyes, my hands, and my feet to serve others. I have always been cognizant of how different my life could have been as a girl child of a poor Asian family. This country and my communities have given me more than I could ever pay back so it falls to me to pay forward the opportunities and promises of our democracy to others so they too can have the better life this country made possible for me. Government can be an instrument, just as I am an instrument, to create a more just and more equitable society but only when we get involved.”