Mary Kiffmeyer | |
---|---|
20th Secretary of State of Minnesota | |
In office January 4, 1999 – January 1, 2007 | |
Governor |
Jesse Ventura Tim Pawlenty |
Preceded by | Joan Growe |
Succeeded by | Mark Ritchie |
President pro tempore of the Minnesota Senate | |
In office January 7, 2019 – January 5, 2021 | |
Preceded by | Warren Limmer |
Succeeded by | David Tomassoni |
Member of the
Minnesota Senate from the 30th district | |
In office January 8, 2013 – January 3, 2023 | |
Preceded by | Redistricted |
Succeeded by | Redistricted |
Member of the
Minnesota House of Representatives from the 16B district | |
In office January 6, 2009 – January 7, 2013 | |
Preceded by | Mark Olson |
Succeeded by | Redistricted |
Personal details | |
Born | Rugby, North Dakota, U.S. | December 29, 1946
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Ralph Kiffmeyer |
Education | St. Gabriel's School of Nursing |
Mary Kiffmeyer (born December 29, 1946) is an American politician. She served as Minnesota Secretary of State from 1999 to 2007 and went on to serves in the Minnesota legislature. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, she previously represented District 30, which included parts of Hennepin, Sherburne, and Wright counties.
The oldest of 14 children, Kiffmeyer was raised in Pierz, Minnesota.
Kiffmeyer was elected secretary of state in November 1998, and was sworn into office on January 4, 1999. She was re-elected in November 2002. She was defeated for re-election in November 2006 by Mark Ritchie.
During Kiffmeyer's tenure, Minnesota was the highest voter turnout state for all 8 years as determined by Curtis Ganz of the Center for Democracy. In 2004, Minnesota had 77.7% voter turnout, the highest in the state since 1960. She transformed the Secretary of State website allowing users to find and get directions to their local precincts, and see who their local candidates are in the upcoming election through the "My Ballot" feature.[ citation needed].
During Kiffmeyer's tenure, she convinced the legislature to establish the Safe At Home Program for battered women or other battered victims which was unfunded by the Legislature until the following year.
Kiffmeyer was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2008 and re-elected in 2010, representing District 16B. In 2012, she was elected to the Minnesota Senate, representing District 30. [1] Kiffmeyer currently serves as the President Pro Tem of the Minnesota Senate. [2]
Kiffmeyer lives near Big Lake, Minnesota with her husband, Ralph Kiffmeyer, a nurse anesthetist who served one term in the Minnesota House of Representatives. They have four children and 14 grandchildren. [9]
Mary Kiffmeyer | |
---|---|
20th Secretary of State of Minnesota | |
In office January 4, 1999 – January 1, 2007 | |
Governor |
Jesse Ventura Tim Pawlenty |
Preceded by | Joan Growe |
Succeeded by | Mark Ritchie |
President pro tempore of the Minnesota Senate | |
In office January 7, 2019 – January 5, 2021 | |
Preceded by | Warren Limmer |
Succeeded by | David Tomassoni |
Member of the
Minnesota Senate from the 30th district | |
In office January 8, 2013 – January 3, 2023 | |
Preceded by | Redistricted |
Succeeded by | Redistricted |
Member of the
Minnesota House of Representatives from the 16B district | |
In office January 6, 2009 – January 7, 2013 | |
Preceded by | Mark Olson |
Succeeded by | Redistricted |
Personal details | |
Born | Rugby, North Dakota, U.S. | December 29, 1946
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Ralph Kiffmeyer |
Education | St. Gabriel's School of Nursing |
Mary Kiffmeyer (born December 29, 1946) is an American politician. She served as Minnesota Secretary of State from 1999 to 2007 and went on to serves in the Minnesota legislature. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, she previously represented District 30, which included parts of Hennepin, Sherburne, and Wright counties.
The oldest of 14 children, Kiffmeyer was raised in Pierz, Minnesota.
Kiffmeyer was elected secretary of state in November 1998, and was sworn into office on January 4, 1999. She was re-elected in November 2002. She was defeated for re-election in November 2006 by Mark Ritchie.
During Kiffmeyer's tenure, Minnesota was the highest voter turnout state for all 8 years as determined by Curtis Ganz of the Center for Democracy. In 2004, Minnesota had 77.7% voter turnout, the highest in the state since 1960. She transformed the Secretary of State website allowing users to find and get directions to their local precincts, and see who their local candidates are in the upcoming election through the "My Ballot" feature.[ citation needed].
During Kiffmeyer's tenure, she convinced the legislature to establish the Safe At Home Program for battered women or other battered victims which was unfunded by the Legislature until the following year.
Kiffmeyer was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2008 and re-elected in 2010, representing District 16B. In 2012, she was elected to the Minnesota Senate, representing District 30. [1] Kiffmeyer currently serves as the President Pro Tem of the Minnesota Senate. [2]
Kiffmeyer lives near Big Lake, Minnesota with her husband, Ralph Kiffmeyer, a nurse anesthetist who served one term in the Minnesota House of Representatives. They have four children and 14 grandchildren. [9]