A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), he represented District 4, which includes portions of Becker, Clay, and Norman counties in the northwestern part of the state.

[2] In addition to his work as a teacher and adjunct college professor, he is a sugar beets truck driver during the harvest season.

He served as an assistant minority leader, and was the DFL lead on the Agriculture and Rural Development Policy and Finance Committee.

Eken defeated retired football player Phil Hansen in the general election, with over 52% of the vote.

[5] Eken served on the following committees: He decided not to run for reelection in 2022, and was replaced by Rob Kupec.