Tony Lourey Explained

Tony Lourey
Office:Minnesota Commissioner of Human Services
Governor:Tim Walz
Term Start:January 7, 2019
Term End:July 15, 2019
Predecessor:Emily Johnson Piper
State Senate2:Minnesota
District2:11th
Prior Term2:8th (2007–2013)
Term Start2:January 3, 2007
Term End2:January 3, 2019
Preceded2:Becky Lourey
Succeeded2:Jason Rarick
Party:Democratic–Farmer–Labor
Birth Date:August 15, 1967
Birth Place:Pine County, Minnesota
Alma Mater:University of Minnesota
Hamline University School of Law
William Mitchell College of Law
Occupation:farmer
Spouse:Marlana Benzie
Children:3

Tony Lourey (born August 15, 1967)[1] is an American politician. He is a former Minnesota commissioner of human services and former Democratic–Farmer–Labor (DFL) member of the Minnesota Senate, representing District 11.

Early life, education, and career

Lourey was born in Pine County, Minnesota. He attended the University of Minnesota, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts, Hamline University School of Law, and William Mitchell College of Law, graduating with a Juris Doctor in 2011. Before his election to the Senate, he was a township supervisor of Kerrick Township for eight years.

Political career

Lourey was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2006 to represent District 8, succeeding his mother, Becky Lourey. He was reelected in 2010. After redistricting, he was elected to represent District 11—which included Carlton and Pine counties and parts of Kanabec and St. Louis counties in the northeast—in 2012 and reelected in 2016. He resigned on January 3, 2019, after Governor Tim Walz selected him as commissioner of human services.[2]

Personal life

Lourey and his wife, Marlana Benzie-Lourey, have three children. They are the owners of the Askov American newspaper, which was founded by former legislator and governor Hjalmar Petersen.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lourey, Tony . Minnesota Legislative Reference Library . January 3, 2019.
  2. News: Coolican . J. Patrick . Gov.-elect Tim Walz names seven new commissioners, including state Sen. Tony Lourey . January 3, 2019 . . January 3, 2019.