Who is Bianca Virnig?

Bianca, her partner and three kids sit in the stands of a ballpark. They are smiling.

Hello!

My name is Bianca Virnig. I am a wife, a mother and an Eagan resident. I was first elected to represent District 52B in 2023. Previously, I had served on the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school board and on the Deerwood Elementary PTO. I am the Director of Health and Safety at BrightWorks, a supporter of education and healthcare, a disability rights and social justice advocate, and alumna of the Humphrey Policy Fellow program.

I am running for re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives as your neighbor and advocate.

District 52B includes portions of Eagan, Mendota and Mendota Heights.

Check out my official legislative page: https://www.house.mn.gov/members/profile/15625

Over 20 years ago I moved to Eagan and began renting a room from a young woman in the Cedar Bluff Townhomes. Eventually, I met my husband and we bought a townhome in the same complex. I became the treasurer of the association at a time when we were challenging a large insurance company in court and reimaging the look and feel of the Cedar Bluff community.

We outgrew our townhome after having our third child and we began looking for a single family home. We considered moving to Centerville, a town in the northern suburbs where I grew up, and even considered Duluth! But we kept coming back to Eagan. which felt like home. In 2017, we bought a house in the Deerwood Elementary neighborhood. We believe this is one of the best places to raise a family, and our ties to the community have grown over the decades. I am proud to call this portion of Minnesota our home.

Why I Am Running

My first legislative session was incredibly productive. As a member on the Elections Finance and Policy, Human Serivces Finance and Education Finance committees, I authored key pieces of legislation that are going to make a real impact in the lives of people across the district. I delivered investments for Dakota County to address our workforce shortage, expanded the number of on-sale liquor licenses for Eagan Viking Lakes complex and championed legislation that allows census workers to access apartment buildings for census business year round. I authored bills to eliminate parenta TEFRA fees, a tax on people with disabilities and expanded school personnel that can administer epi-pins, which will save lives.

As a mother of three school-age children and a public servant dedicated to the intersection of public health and education, I bring a unique perspective to the work of governing. I have a deep appreciation for the challenges we face and an understanding of how we can leverage partnerships to impact change, explore innovative solutions, and support safe and healthy communities.

Working through complex issues to find common ground energizes me. Together we can ensure our community is safe and welcoming for all. It is essential that we have access to the resources and opportunities to succeed and thrive.

As a forward thinking candidate, I will not shy away from the challenges facing the district and I have the perspective, skills and experience to make a positive difference in outcomes for so many.

My Experience

By day, I work for BrightWorks, an educational services cooperative, as the Director of Health and Safety. In 2021 and 2022, I was awarded the Professional partner of the Year by the Minnesota Educational Facilities Management Professionals Association (MASMS). During the pandemic, I was on redeployment as the Regional COVID Coordinator for metro area schools where my contributions to the response were recognized by Dakota County in 2021, when I received the Dakota County Public Health Achievement Award.

I was elected to the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school board in 2021. I have served on the district Budget Advisory Council since 2018, and I serve on the Community Ed Advisory Council, the Special Ed Advisory Council and the Wellness committee. I’m the PTO Secretary at Deerwood Elementary, I have coached Lego League, helped spearhead a mask drive and many vaccines clinics. I am a recent alumna of the Humphrey Policy Fellow program at the University of Minnesota.

My personal and professional experiences have provided an opportunity to develop strong relationships within the community and with state and local government. With over 15 years of combined public service at MN OSHA, then Hennepin County and now BrightWorks, I will bring a unique mix of expertise in environmental, occupational, and public health, safety and accessibility into the fold to serve our community in the Minnesota Legislature.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Minnesota

Associate of Arts from Century College

Certified ADA Coordinator (ADAC)

Memberships

Awards

Public Health Achievement Award 2021 – Individual Award

Golden Gov IT Award for Human Services Center QFlow Kiosk Project 2018

Governor’s Act of Kindness 2002

University of Minnesota Alumni member

Minnesota Educational Facilities Management Professionals Association (MASMS)

Minnesota School Board Association (MSBA)