Mary Kelly Kunesh (/ˈkuːnɛʃ/ KOO-nesh;[1] formerly Podein; born November 20, 1960) is an American politician and member of the Minnesota State Senate. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), she represents District 39, which includes parts of the counties of Ramsey, Hennepin, and Anoka, and the cities of Fridley, Spring Lake Park, Columbia Heights, Hilltop, New Brighton, and St. Anthony.
Mary Kelly Kunesh | |
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| Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 39th district | |
| Assumed office January 5, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Carolyn Laine |
| Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 41B district | |
| In office January 3, 2017 – January 5, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Carolyn Laine |
| Succeeded by | Sandra Feist |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 20, 1960 Saint Paul, Minnesota |
| Political party | Democratic (DFL) |
| Spouse | Timothy Podein (divorced) |
| Relations | Patrice Kunesh (sister) |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence | New Brighton, Minnesota |
| Alma mater | St. Catherine's University St. Cloud State University |
| Occupation | Politician Library media specialist |
Early life, education, and career
editKunesh was born as the 7th child out of 13 children[2] in Saint Paul and raised in Sartell, Minnesota.[3][4] Her grandfather and mother were enrolled citizens of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe,[5] and her father a former St. Cloud City Attorney, and later Assistant Stearns County Attorney. Her sister, Patrice Kunesh, is Commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans.[6]
She graduated from Cathedral High School in St. Cloud, Minnesota.[7] She attended St. Catherine University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education in 1995, and later St. Cloud State University, graduating with a Master of Arts in information media in 2010.[8][9]
Career
editKunesh was a member and chair of the New Brighton Parks, Recreation and Environmental Commission and was a candidate for the New Brighton City Council in 2013. She works as a library media specialist for Robbinsdale Area Schools, including Robbinsdale Middle School.[4]
Minnesota House of Representatives
editKunesh was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2016, succeeding DFL incumbent Carolyn Laine. In 2017, she was one out of four Native American members in the Minnesota Legislature, a descendant of the Standing Rock Lakota tribe.[10] After Laine retired from the Senate in 2020, Kunesh moved her attention from the House to Senate and won the seat.
Minnesota State Senate
editIn 2020, Kunesh was elected into the Minnesota State Senate, winning the general election against Lucia Vogel with over 66% of the vote. In 2023 Kunesh was elected Assistant Majority Leader of the state senate.
She is currently serving on the following committees:
- Agriculture, Broadband, & Rural Development
- Education Finance - chair
- Education Policy
- Environment, Climate, & Legacy
Personal life
editKunesh resides in New Brighton, Minnesota. She has three children.[3]
References
edit- ^ "Senate Members' Pronunciation". Minnesota Legislature. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
- ^ "Women in Politics Series: Sen. Mary Kunesh on Educating Decision-Makers". Minnesota Women's Press. 2022-08-18. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ^ a b "Kunesh, Mary". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
- ^ a b Poole, Jesse (May 18, 2016). "Kunesh endorsed by DFL for House District 41B seat". Lillie Suburban Newspapers. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
- ^ Nelson, Todd (April 27, 2017). "Breaking the Ice: Daughter's activism inspired political bid". Minnesota Lawyer. BridgeTower Media. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
- ^ Walsh, Jim (2020-11-30). "Equality and equity for 'the asterisk nation': a Q&A with Patrice Kunesh". MinnPost. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
- ^ "Class Notes" (PDF). The Cathedral Magazine. Spring 2017. p. 22. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
- ^ "Donor Tribute 2015–2016". St. Catherine's University. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
- ^ "Mary Kunesh". LinkedIn. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- ^ Bierschbach, Briana (March 23, 2017). "Something new for the Minnesota Legislature: a caucus of first Minnesotans". MinnPost. Retrieved March 20, 2018.