Lyle J. Koenen (born June 16, 1956) is a Minnesota politician and former member of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), he represented District 17, which included portions of Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Renville, and Swift counties in the southwestern part of the state.[1]

Lyle Koenen
Member of the Minnesota Senate
from the 17th district
20th (2012–2013)
In office
April 18, 2012 – January 2, 2017
Preceded byGary Kubly
Succeeded byAndrew Lang
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 20B district
In office
January 7, 2003 – April 17, 2012
Preceded byGary Kubly (District 15B)
Succeeded byAndrew Falk (District 17A)
Personal details
Born (1956-06-16) June 16, 1956 (age 68)
Willmar, Minnesota
Political partyMinnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
SpouseSandy
Children4
Alma materWillmar Technical College

Early life, education, and career

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Koenen attended Maynard High School in Maynard, then Willmar Technical College in Willmar, earning his A.A. in agriculture. He has worked as a dairy farmer and was also a milk truck and school bus driver. He has co-chaired the Chippewa County National Farmers Union since 1996.[1][2]

Minnesota House of Representatives

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Koenen was first elected in 2002, and was reelected four times. He chaired the House Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs subcommittee for the Veterans Affairs Division.[3] On May 21, 2011, he was one of two DFL representatives who voted with a majority of Republicans to send a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage to a 2012 referendum.[4]

Minnesota Senate

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Koenen was elected to the Senate in a special election in 2012 to fill the seat left vacant after the death of Gary Kubly. He was sworn in on April 18, 2012.[5] Koenen ran for reelection to the newly drawn District 17 in 2012, defeating incumbent Willmar Republican Joseph Gimse.[6] He lost reelection to Republican Andrew Lang.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Minnesota Legislators Past & Present - Legislator Record - Koenen, Lyle J". Leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
  2. ^ "Project Vote Smart - Representative Lyle J. Koenen - Biography". Votesmart.org. 1956-06-16. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
  3. ^ "Lyle Koenen (DFL) 20B - Minnesota House of Representatives". House.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
  4. ^ "Roll call vote: Same-sex marriage ban amendment". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved 2011-05-23.
  5. ^ Minnesota Senate DFL Caucus Twitter Feed
  6. ^ Peterson, Per (November 8, 2012). "DFL power grab won't change approach". Marshall Independent.
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