Back to Women in Public Office

Women in the Minnesota Legislature
by Year(s) Elected

The following is a chronological listing of women who have served in the Minnesota Legislature, the years they were elected, the houses in which they served and the counties they represented. Notes below the table explain resignations and special elections.

Women in the Minnesota Legislature by Legislative Session is a listing of these women by legislative session and includes their legislative district number and party affiliation.

Notes on Special Elections:

⁽¹⁾ Laura Naplin was elected 2/7/27 to fill the seat of her deceased husband.
⁽²⁾ Nancy Brataas was elected 2/1/75, replacing a man.
⁽³⁾ Dee Knaak was elected 12/3/77, replacing a man.
⁽⁴⁾ Anne Stokowski was elected 11/6/79 to fill the seat of her deceased husband.
⁽⁵⁾ Donna Peterson was elected 1/17/80, replacing a man.
⁽⁶⁾ Pat Pariseau was elected 11/8/88, replacing a man.
⁽⁷⁾ Linda Runbeck was elected 2/4/89, replacing a man.
⁽⁸⁾ Ann Wynia resigned 9/1/89 and Alice Hausman was elected 11/7/89.
⁽⁹⁾ Donna Peterson resigned in January of 1990 and Carol Flynn was elected 2/10/90.
⁽¹⁰⁾ Linda Scheid resigned 11/1/91 and was replaced by a man elected 12/17/91.
⁽¹¹⁾ Sally Olsen resigned 5/25/92 and was not replaced.
⁽¹²⁾ Gloria Segal resigned 12/14/92 and was replaced by a man elected 1/12/93.
⁽¹³⁾ Kathleen Blatz resigned in December of 1993 and was replaced by a man elected 1/11/94.
⁽¹⁴⁾ Betty Adkins resigned 1/1/95 and was replaced by a man elected 11/8/94.
⁽¹⁵⁾ Joanne Benson resigned 1/2/95 to serve as Lieutenant Governor and was replaced by a man elected 12/29/94.
⁽¹⁶⁾ Michelle Fischbach was elected 2/6/96 to fill a term of a man who resigned.
⁽¹⁷⁾ Mary Ellen Otremba was elected 11/4/97 replacing her husband, who died in office.
⁽¹⁸⁾ Barb Vickerman died in office (12/22/97) and was replaced by a man elected 1/20/98.
⁽¹⁹⁾ Sondra Erickson was elected 1/6/98 to fill a term of a man who resigned.
⁽²⁰⁾ Janet Johnson died in office (8/21/99) and was replaced by Twyla Ring , elected 11/2/99.
⁽²¹⁾Mee Moua was elected 1/29/02 to fill the term of a man who resigned.
⁽²²⁾Yvonne Prettner Solon was elected 1/29/02, replacing her husband, who died in office.
⁽²³⁾Darlene Luther died in office (1/30/02) and was replaced by a man elected 3/5/02.
⁽²⁴⁾Rebecca Otto was elected 2/11/03 to fill the term of a man who resigned.
⁽²⁵⁾Terri Bonoff was elected 11/22/05 to fill the term of a man who resigned. 
⁽²⁶⁾Amy Koch was elected 11/22/05 to fill the term of a man who resigned.
⁽²⁷⁾Tarryl Clark was elected 12/27/05 to fill the term of a man who resigned.
⁽²⁸⁾Lisa Fobbe was elected 11/04/08 to replace Betsy Werley, who was appointed to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission by Governor Tim Pawlenty.
⁽²⁹⁾Carly Melin was elected 2/15/11 to fill the term of Tony Sertich who was appointed to the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) by Governor Mark Dayton.
⁽³⁰⁾Mary Jo McGuire was elected 4/12/11 to replace Ellen Anderson, who was appointed to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission by Governor Mark Dayton.

Compiled by the Office on the Economic Status of Women

Last Updated: 04/13/11 (ab)