Patricia Torres Ray

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

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. The team subsequently withdrew from the race at the 2010 DFL State Convention.

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

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

She and Jack have two sons, Tomás (1994) and Carlos (1996).

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

Patricia Torres Ray (born March 25, 1964) is a Colombian-born American politician and member of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), she represents 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. She ran for Congress in Minnesota’s 5th district to succeed Congressman Keith Ellison, but lost in the primary to Ilhan Omar.