Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

NOTICE

NOTICE The Legislative Coordinating Commission Office for the Economic Status of Women is not currently staffed. As a result, this website is not being updated. For information on child support cost of living adjustments, please visit the Department of Human Services - Cost-of-living adjustments web page. 1/9/23

Women in Public Office


In 1922 women became eligible to vote and run for election to the Minnesota Legislature. Since 1922, a total of 200 women have been elected as legislators. 54 have been elected to the Minnesota Senate and 133 have been elected to the Minnesota House. Thirteen women - Linda Berglin, Barbara Goodwin, Becky Lourey, Sharon Marko, Mary Jo McGuire, Carla Nelson, Sandy Pappas, Donna Peterson, Pat Piper, Ann Rest, Linda Runbeck, Linda Scheid, and Katie Sieben - have been elected to both the House and Senate. The elections held November 7, 2006 marked an historic high for women elected to office in Minnesota. Women were elected to hold 70 (34.8%) of the 201 seats in the Minnesota Legislature. In the Senate, women were elected to 27 (40.3%) of the 67 seats, the new historic high number of women elected in that body. As a result of the February 15, 2011 special election, women were elected to 44 (32.8%) of the 134 seats in the Minnesota House, an historic high for that body.

Historic Highs
Women Elected to the Minnesota Senate, House and Legislature as a Result of General Elections
Number of Women Elected Percentage of the Total Seats to be Held by Women Year(s) of Election
Senate 27 40.3% 2006
House 43 32.1% 2006
Legislature 70 34.8% 2006


As a Result of Special Elections
Number of Women Elected Percentage of the Total Seats to be Held by Women Year(s) of Election
Senate 26 38.8% 2005
House 44 32.8% 2011
Legislature 63 31.3% 2005


Other Sources of Information on Women in Public Office: