Mary Kunesh Explained

Mary Kelly Kunesh
State Senate:Minnesota
District:39th
Term Start:January 5, 2021
Predecessor:Carolyn Laine
Birth Date:20 November 1960
Birth Place:Saint Paul, Minnesota
Party:Democratic (DFL)
Spouse:Timothy Podein (divorced)
Children:3
Residence:New Brighton, Minnesota
Alma Mater:St. Catherine's University
St. Cloud State University
Occupation:Politician
Library media specialist
State House2:Minnesota
District2:41B
Termstart2:January 3, 2017
Termend2:January 5, 2021
Preceded2:Carolyn Laine
Succeeded2:Sandra Feist

Mary Kelly Kunesh (; 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.

Early life, education, and career

Kunesh was born in Saint Paul and raised in Sartell, Minnesota.[1] [2] Her grandfather and mother were enrolled citizens of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe,[3] and her father a former St. Cloud City Attorney, and later Assistant Stearns County Attorney. She graduated from Cathedral High School in St. Cloud, Minnesota.[4] 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.[5] [6]

Kunesh 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.

Minnesota House of Representatives

Kunesh 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.[7] After Laine retired from the Senate in 2020, Kunesh moved her attention from the House to Senate and won the seat.

Minnesota State Senate

In 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:

Personal life

Kunesh resides in New Brighton, Minnesota. She has three children.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kunesh, Mary. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. March 20, 2018. en.
  2. News: Poole. Jesse. Kunesh endorsed by DFL for House District 41B seat. March 20, 2018. Lillie Suburban Newspapers. May 18, 2016. en.
  3. News: Nelson. Todd. Breaking the Ice: Daughter's activism inspired political bid. March 20, 2018. Minnesota Lawyer. BridgeTower Media. April 27, 2017.
  4. Spring 2017 . Class Notes . The Cathedral Magazine . 22 . March 20, 2018.
  5. Web site: Donor Tribute 2015–2016. St. Catherine's University. March 20, 2018. en.
  6. Web site: Mary Kunesh. LinkedIn. May 21, 2023.
  7. News: Bierschbach. Briana. Something new for the Minnesota Legislature: a caucus of first Minnesotans. March 20, 2018. MinnPost. March 23, 2017. en.