Joanne Benson
Encyclopedia
Joanne E. Benson was the 44th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota from January 3, 1995 to January 4, 1999. An Independent Republican
, she was elected on the gubernatorial ticket with Governor Arne Carlson
, competing for the party endorsement with Allen Quist
and Doug McFarland
, and later in the election against John Marty
. She is a former Minnesota state senator noted for being somewhat more conservative than the moderate Carlson.
Benson ran in the 1998 Republican primary for governor, starting off as the initial front-runner in the GOP
primary. However, despite attempting to garner enough support within the GOP establishment to ward-off any primary challengers, a late entrant to the race, St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman
, garnered enough delegates to win the Republican endorsement at the GOP state convention in summer 1998. Placing third in the race for delegates (behind Coleman and Allen Quist
), she agreed not to challenge Coleman in that fall's primary, but as the Republican nominee, Coleman eventually placed second in the race to Reform
candidate Jesse Ventura
.
Upon leaving office in 1999, Benson became the first chief education officer of the Minnesota Business Academy. In that capacity, she worked with civic and state leaders in raising money in benefit of the school's success.
Benson was born in Le Sueur, Minnesota
, became an educator and married Robert R. Benson. She has two children and six grandchildren.
Republican Party of Minnesota
The Republican Party of Minnesota is the Minnesota branch of the United States Republican Party. Elected by the party’s state central committee in June 2009, its chairman is Tony Sutton, and its deputy-chairman is Michael Brodkorb.-Early history:...
, she was elected on the gubernatorial ticket with Governor Arne Carlson
Arne Carlson
Arne Helge Carlson, Sr. is an American politician and the 37th Governor of the state of Minnesota.-Early years, education and family:...
, competing for the party endorsement with Allen Quist
Allen Quist
Allen J. Quist is a Minnesota politician, a former state representative, and a two-time candidate for governor of the state.-State representative:...
and Doug McFarland
Doug McFarland
Douglas Dale McFarland is a college professor at Hamline University and is a Minnesota politician.-Biography and Titles:...
, and later in the election against John Marty
John Marty
This is the article about the State Senator from Minnesota. For the singer known as John Marty, see Marty StuartJohn J. Marty is a member of the Minnesota Senate, representing District 54, which includes portions of Hennepin and Ramsey counties in the northern Twin Cities metropolitan area. As a...
. She is a former Minnesota state senator noted for being somewhat more conservative than the moderate Carlson.
Benson ran in the 1998 Republican primary for governor, starting off as the initial front-runner in the GOP
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
primary. However, despite attempting to garner enough support within the GOP establishment to ward-off any primary challengers, a late entrant to the race, St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman
Norm Coleman
Norman Bertram Coleman, Jr. is an American attorney and politician. He was a United States senator from Minnesota from 2003 to 2009. Coleman was elected in 2002 and served in the 108th, 109th, and 110th Congresses. Before becoming a senator, he was mayor of Saint Paul, Minnesota, from 1994 to 2002...
, garnered enough delegates to win the Republican endorsement at the GOP state convention in summer 1998. Placing third in the race for delegates (behind Coleman and Allen Quist
Allen Quist
Allen J. Quist is a Minnesota politician, a former state representative, and a two-time candidate for governor of the state.-State representative:...
), she agreed not to challenge Coleman in that fall's primary, but as the Republican nominee, Coleman eventually placed second in the race to Reform
Independence Party of Minnesota
The Independence Party of Minnesota , formerly the Reform Party of Minnesota, is the third largest political party in Minnesota, behind the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and Republican Party . It is the political party of former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura , and endorsed former U.S...
candidate Jesse Ventura
Jesse Ventura
James George Janos , better known as Jesse Ventura, is an American politician, the 38th Governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003, Navy UDT veteran, former SEAL reservist, actor, and former radio and television talk show host...
.
Upon leaving office in 1999, Benson became the first chief education officer of the Minnesota Business Academy. In that capacity, she worked with civic and state leaders in raising money in benefit of the school's success.
Benson was born in Le Sueur, Minnesota
Le Sueur, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,922 people, 1,545 households, and 1,025 families residing in the city. The population density was 879.0 people per square mile . There were 1,589 housing units at an average density of 356.1 per square mile...
, became an educator and married Robert R. Benson. She has two children and six grandchildren.