Robert J. Kupec (/ˈkuːpɛk/ KOO-pek;[1] born November 27, 1968) is a Minnesota politician and member of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), he represents Senate District 4, which includes most of Clay and Becker counties. Prior to seeking elected office, he was for a decade the chief meteorologist at KVRR and previously at WDAY-TV.
Kupec was born in eastern Connecticut.[2] Both of his parents were active union organizers. He attended college at the State University of New York-Albany, studying Atmospheric Science, and earned a degree in 1992.[3] He moved to Moorhead, Minnesota in 2000, and began work as a meteorologist, first for WDAY-TV and then served as chief meteorologist for KVRR.
Prior to moving to Minnesota, Kupec ran as a Green party candidate for the Albany County Legislature in 1999.[4][5]
In 2022, incumbent DFL state senator Kent Eken decided not to seek reelection.[6] Kupec ran, and was unopposed in the DFL primary. He defeated Moorhead City Councilman and Republican Dan Bohmer in the general election, winning 52.5% of the vote compared to Bohmer's 46.8%.[7]
Kupec serves on the following committees:[8]
.jpg/250px-Rob_Kupec_at_Child_Care_Tour_(cropped).jpg){kind=small}
.jpg "Rob Kupec")
.jpg)