Background
His father, Butch, was a union organizer and one-time Dakota County Commissioner.
His father, Butch, was a union organizer and one-time Dakota County Commissioner.
Associate of Arts, University Minnesota.
Metzen started in the banking business at Southview Bank, working his way up the chain of command until he sold his interest in the bank in 1992. He is a former Vice President of Community Affairs at Key Community Bank, which has branches in Inver Grove Heights and South Saint Metzen was integral in the bank"s initial startup. Prior to his election to the Senate, Metzen served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1975 to 1986, representing the old District 52A before the 1982 legislative redistricting and District 39B thereafter.
Metzen was first elected to the Senate in 1986 after serving 12 years in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
He was President of the Minnesota Senate from 2003 to 2011. He was chair of the Senate Business, Industry and Jobs Committee from 2007 to 2011, chair of the Senate Telecommunications, Energy and Utilities Committee from 2001 to 2003, chair of the Senate Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee from 1995 to 2001, chair of the Senate Governmental Operations and Reform Committee from 1993 to 1995, and chair of the Senate Economic Development and Housing Committee from 1991 to 1993.
He has also chaired multiple subcommittees.
Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, Democratic Party.
A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), he represents District 52, which includes portions of Dakota County in the southeastern Twin Cities metropolitan area. He was also a member of the South Saint Paul City Council from 1967 to 1974. He is currently the chair of the Senate Commerce Committee while also serving as a member of the Senate Rules and Administration, Capital Investment, and State Department and Veterans Division Committees.
Married Sandie Metzen. Children: Jeff, John.