Patricia Torres Ray

Patricia Torres Ray (born March 25, 1964) is a Colombian-American politician and former member of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), she represented District 63, which includes portions of southeastern Minneapolis and eastern Richfield in Hennepin County in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. She is the first Latina woman to serve in the Minnesota Senate.[1] She ran for Congress in Minnesota's 5th district in 2018 to succeed Congressman Keith Ellison, but lost the primary to Ilhan Omar. In November 2021, she announced that she would not run for reelection in 2022.[2]

Patricia Torres Ray
Torres Ray in 2021
Torres Ray in 2021
Member of the Minnesota Senate
from the 63rd district
62nd (2007–2013)
Assumed office
January 3, 2007 (2007-01-03)
Preceded byWes Skoglund
Personal details
Born (1964-03-25) March 25, 1964
Pasto, Colombia
Political partyDemocratic–Farmer–Labor
Spouse
Jackson Ray
​
(m. 1987)​
Children2
Residence(s)Minneapolis, Minnesota
Alma materUniversity of Minnesota
OccupationConsultant, legislator

Education

Torres Ray studied at the University of Minnesota, earning a B.A. in urban studies and a MPA from the Humphrey Institute in 2004.[1]

Minnesota Senate

Torres Ray was first elected in 2006, succeeding retiring Wes Skoglund. She was reelected in 2010, 2012, 2016, and 2020. Torres Ray's legislative concerns included education, health and human services, the environment, and economic development.

2010 lieutenant gubernatorial campaign

On March 31, 2010, state senator and 2010 Minnesota gubernatorial candidate John Marty announced that Torres Ray would be his running mate for lieutenant governor.[3] The team withdrew from the race at the 2010 DFL State Convention.[4]

2018 Congressional campaign
Main article: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Minnesota § District 5

On June 5, 2018, Torres Ray filed to run for the 5th district congressional seat previously held by Keith Ellison.[5] Her platform focused on public education, immigration, and climate change.[6] The primary election was held on August 14, with State Representative Ilhan Omar receiving a plurality of votes to advance to the general election.[7]

Electoral history
Torres Ray in 2019
Torres Ray at a district forum in 2006
  • Minnesota Senate 63rd district election, 2020[8]
    • Patricia Torres Ray (DFL), 40,742 (77.64%)
    • Diane Napper (R), 8,231 (15.69%)
    • Chris Wright (Grassroots-Legalize Cannabis) 3,460 (6.59%)
  • Minnesota Senate 63rd district election, 2016[9]
    • Patricia Torres Ray (DFL), 38,470 (80.70%)
    • Ron Moey (R), 9068, (19.02%)
    • Write-in, 135 (0.28%)
  • Minnesota Senate 63rd district election, 2012[10]
    • Patricia Torres Ray (DFL), 36,866 (80.81%)
    • Patrick Marron (R), 8,636 (18.93%)
    • Write-in, 117 (0.26%)
  • Minnesota Senate 62nd district election, 2010[11]
    • Patricia Torres Ray (DFL), 26,671 (79.64%)
    • Patrick Elgin (R), 6,751 (20.16%)
    • Write-in, 68 (0.20%)
  • Minnesota Senate 62nd district election, 2006[12]
    • Patricia Torres Ray (DFL), 28,787 (81.25%)
    • Dan Mathias (R), 6,569 (18.54%)
    • Write-in, 76 (0.21%)

Personal life

Torres Ray met her husband, Jack, when he was a University of Minnesota student in Colombia for a study abroad internship. They married in 1987. She then immigrated to Minnesota with him, learned English, and became a U.S. citizen.[13]

She and Jack have two sons.[1]

References
  1. "Minnesota Legislators Past & Present - Legislator Record - Torres Ray, Patricia". Leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
  2. Torres Ray, Patricia (November 16, 2021). "Senator Patricia Torres Ray announces she will not be seeking re-election". Senate DFL. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  3. "Marty picks running mate: state Sen. Patricia Torres Ray". MinnPost. 2010-03-31. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
  4. Grow, Doug (August 10, 2010). "Primary Election Day: How we got to this point". MinnPost. Retrieved 2013-01-17.
  5. Sepic, Matt (2018-06-06). "Democrats flood newly opened U.S. House seat race in Minneapolis". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved 2018-07-24.
  6. "Vision". Patricia Torres Ray for Congress. Retrieved 2018-07-24.
  7. "Primary Results for Congressional District 5". Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  8. "Results for State Senator District 63". electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20201103. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  9. "MN Election Results". electionresults.sos.state.mn.us. Retrieved 2018-11-24.
  10. "Results for All State Senate Races, 2012". Minnesota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  11. "Results for All State Senate Races, 2010". Minnesota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on April 26, 2013. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  12. "Results for All State Senate Races, 2006". Minnesota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  13. "In Touch with Senator Torres Ray – Biography". Minnesota Senate. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
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