Mary Kunesh-Podein

Mary Kelly Kunesh (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 41, 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 Kunesh-Podein
Member of the Minnesota Senate
from the 41st district
Assumed office
January 5, 2021
Preceded byCarolyn Laine
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 41B district
In office
January 3, 2017 – January 4, 2021
Preceded byCarolyn Laine
Succeeded bySandra Feist
Personal details
Born (1960-11-20) November 20, 1960
Political partyMinnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
Spouse(s)Tim
Children3
ResidenceNew Brighton, Minnesota
Alma materSt. Catherine's University
St. Cloud State University
Occupationlibrary media specialist

Early life, education, and career

Kunesh was born in Saint Paul and raised in Sartell, Minnesota.[1][2] Her mother is an enrolled member 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.[2]

Minnesota House of Representatives

Kunesh was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2016, succeeding DFL incumbent Carolyn Laine. She is one out of four Native American members of the Minnesota Legislature in her first term.[7] After Carolyn Laine retired from the Senate in 2020, Kunesh campaigned for the Senate seat of the district.

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.

She is currently serving on the following committees:

  • Education Finance and Policy
  • Redistricting
  • Ranking Minority Chair of Mining and Forestry Policy

Personal life

Kunesh and her husband, Tim, reside in New Brighton, Minnesota. They have three children.[1]

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