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{{Short description|American politician}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2011}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2011}}
{{Infobox State Senator
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Mary Kiffmeyer
|image =
|name= Mary Kiffmeyer
| image = Minnesota State Senator Mary Kiffmeyer.jpg
| office = 20th [[Minnesota Secretary of State|Secretary of State of Minnesota]]
|caption=
| governor = [[Jesse Ventura]]<br>[[Tim Pawlenty]]
|state_senate=Minnesota
| term_start = January 4, 1999
|district=30th
|term_start=January 8, 2013
| term_end = January 1, 2007
| predecessor = [[Joan Growe]]
|term_end=
| successor = [[Mark Ritchie (politician)|Mark Ritchie]]
|preceded=''redrawn district''
| office1 = President pro tempore of the [[Minnesota Senate]]
|succeeded=
| term_start1 = January 7, 2019
|state_house2=Minnesota
| term_end1 = January 5, 2021
|district2=16B
| predecessor1 = [[Warren Limmer]]
|term_start2=January 6, 2009
| successor1 = [[David Tomassoni]]
|term_end2=January 7, 2013
| state_senate2 = Minnesota
|predecessor2=[[Mark Douglas Olson|Mark Olson]]
| district2 = 30th
|successor2=''district redrawn''
| term_start2 = January 8, 2013
|order3= 20th
| term_end2 = January 3, 2023
|office3= Minnesota Secretary of State
| predecessor2 = ''Redistricted''
|term_start3=January 4, 1999
| successor2 = ''Redistricted''
|term_end3=January 1, 2007
| state_house3 = Minnesota
|predecessor3= [[Joan Growe]]
| district3 = 16B
|successor3= [[Mark Ritchie]]
| term_start3 = January 6, 2009
|birth_date= {{birth date and age|1946|12|29}}
| term_end3 = January 7, 2013
|birth_place= [[Rugby, North Dakota]]
| predecessor3 = [[Mark Douglas Olson|Mark Olson]]
|death_date=
| successor3 = ''Redistricted''
|death_place=
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1946|12|29}}
|spouse= [[Ralph Kiffmeyer]]
| birth_place = [[Rugby, North Dakota]], U.S.
|residence=[[Big Lake, Minnesota]]
| death_date =
|occupation= [[registered nurse]], [[consultant]], [[legislator]]
| death_place =
|party= [[Republican Party of Minnesota]]
| party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|religion=[[Christian]]
| spouse = [[Ralph Kiffmeyer]]
| education = St. Gabriel's School of Nursing
}}
}}
'''Mary Kiffmeyer''' (born December 29, 1946) is a [[Minnesota]] politician. She served as [[Minnesota Secretary of State]] from 1999 to 2007 and now serves in the [[Minnesota Senate]]. A member of the [[Republican Party of Minnesota]], she represents District 30, which includes parts of [[Hennepin County, Minnesota|Hennepin]], [[Sherburne County, Minnesota|Sherburne]], and [[Wright County, Minnesota|Wright]] counties.
'''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 serve in the [[Minnesota legislature]]. A member of the [[Republican Party of Minnesota]], she previously represented District 30, which included parts of [[Hennepin County, Minnesota|Hennepin]], [[Sherburne County, Minnesota|Sherburne]], and [[Wright County, Minnesota|Wright]] counties.


==Early life==
==Early life==
Line 38: Line 41:


==Minnesota Secretary of State==
==Minnesota Secretary of State==
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]].
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 (politician)|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|date=April 2011}}.
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|date=April 2011}}.


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.
During Kiffmeyer's tenure, she convinced the legislature to establish the Safe At Home Program for victims of domestic violence who wanted to register to vote and keep their address private.

With Kiffmeyer's support and through legislation supported by Native American lobbyists and both democrats and republicans, beginning in 2003 and signed into law by the Governor, Minnesota law allowed Native American tribal ID cards to be used by members of tribes living on reservations for election-day registration, but not members living off reservations. The [[American Civil Liberties Union]] filed a complaint, ''ACLU v. Kiffmeyer'', on behalf of urban members of Native American bands and the [[National Congress of American Indians]]. Judge [[James M. Rosenbaum|James Rosenbaum]] issued a temporary restraining order in October 2004 which sided with the plaintiffs. The case was settled in favor of the plaintiffs in September 2005. The [[Minnesota Legislature]] subsequently amended election law to recognize this ruling.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aclu.org/voting-rights/consent-decree-aclu-v-kiffmeyer |title=Consent Decree, ACLU v. Kiffmeyer |publisher=Aclu.org |date=September 14, 2005 |accessdate=2012-12-08}}</ref>

Kiffmeyer told the attendees at a 2004 National Day of Prayer event in Minnesota that the "five words" that are "probably most destructive" in America today are "separation of church and state". Kiffmeyer later said, "It's not the words that are destructive, it's the way they are interpreted. There are a lot of good church people who don't think they can be involved in government."<ref>"She's Back! Controversial former SoS Kiffmeyer seeks to replace convicted legislator", ''Minnesota Independent'', May 9, 2008 [http://minnesotaindependent.com/3877/shes-back-controversial-former-sos-kiffmeyer-seeks-to-replace-convicted-legislator]</ref>

On [[United States general elections, 2006|election day 2006]], Kiffmeyer supported using cell phone bills as proof of residency in order to vote. She did not support a decision by local election judges to not allow some [[University of Minnesota]] students that lived near the campus to register to vote because they had inadequate proof of residence. A [[Hennepin County, Minnesota|Hennepin County]] judge overruled this decision the same day, but it was unclear how many of the students returned to the polls.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mndaily.com/articles/2006/11/09/69813 | title=Melrose residents unable to vote Tuesday | date=November 9, 2006 | publisher=[[Minnesota Daily]]}}</ref>


==Minnesota Legislature==
==Minnesota Legislature==
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leg.state.mn.us/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=15302 |title=Minnesota Legislators Past & Present – Legislator Record – Kiffmeyer, Mary |publisher=Leg.state.mn.us |date= |accessdate=2012-05-24}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leg.state.mn.us/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=15302 |title=Minnesota Legislators Past & Present – Legislator Record – Kiffmeyer, Mary |publisher=Leg.state.mn.us |access-date=2012-05-24}}</ref> Kiffmeyer served as the [[President pro tempore|President Pro Tem]] of the Minnesota Senate for two years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.senate.mn/members/member_bio.php?member_id=1202|title=MN State Senate|website=www.senate.mn|language=en|access-date=2019-11-25}}</ref>

==Memberships and business activities==

Kiffmeyer is the current state chairwoman for the conservative [[American Legislative Exchange Council]] (ALEC)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alec.org/about-alec/state-chairmen/ |title=State Chairmen &#124; ALEC – American Legislative Exchange Council |publisher=Alec.org |date= |accessdate=2012-05-24}}</ref> and serves as the only board member of the Minnesota Voter's Alliance, a political group that lobbied for the Minnesota [[voter ID]] bill which Kiffmeyer authored in the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mnvoters.org/about-us.html |title=About Us |publisher=Mnvoters.org |date=2010-09-14 |accessdate=2012-05-24}}</ref>

She also served on the Board of Directors of Riverview Community Bank,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-124465345.html |title=Riverview Community Bank near Elk River, Minn., has faith in business |newspaper=Pioneer Press |date=November 11, 2004 |accessdate=2012-12-08}}</ref> a "Christ-centered" savings and loan that the Minnesota Department of Commerce closed due to fiscal mismanagement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/10/24/otsego-bank/?refid=0 |title=Regulators close bank in Otsego &#124; Minnesota Public Radio News |publisher=Minnesota.publicradio.org |date=2009-10-24 |accessdate=2012-05-24}}</ref>

==Controversies==

===Riverview Community Bank closure===
In 2009, the [[Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation]] (FDIC) closed Riverview Community Bank, of which Kiffmeyer was an owner and director. According to the FDIC order to cease and desist, it was concluded that Riverview Community Bank "had engaged in unsafe and unsound banking practices and violations of law and/or regulation.” Among other citations, the FDIC also cited the bank had "operated with a board of directors that has failed to provide adequate supervision over and direction to the management of the Bank." <ref>{{cite web|url=http://s3.amazonaws.com/propublica/assets/fbe/Riverview_Community_Bank_C&D_090407.pdf |title=FDIC Order to Cease and Desist |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2012-12-08}}</ref> The FDIC said it estimates the cost to its insurance fund will be $20 million.<ref>{{cite web|last=Serres |first=Chris |url=http://www.startribune.com/local/west/65874567.html?page=2&c=y |title=Regulators close Otsego bank that espoused workplace prayer |publisher=Star Tribune |date=October 24, 2009 |accessdate=2012-12-08}}</ref>

===Minnesota Majority "Racial Purity" defense===
In 2006, Kiffmeyer became the executive director of the conservative advocacy group Minnesota Majority. The group came under criticism for racially charged text on its blog earlier this year. “It is not surprising that [[Sweden]] has a lower [[infant mortality]] rate, or that [[Japan]] has a longer [[life expectancy]] than the United States does,” read an article on the site. “They are nearly racially pure; we are not.” Kiffmeyer defended the text saying that its mention of racial purity must be understood in context, that it “is simply descriptive...That’s a genetic term,” Kiffmeyer told the [[St. Paul Pioneer Press]]. “It does matter when you are doing medical studies.” <ref>{{cite web|author=Birkey, Andy |url=http://minnesotaindependent.com/3877/shes-back-controversial-former-sos-kiffmeyer-seeks-to-replace-convicted-legislator |title=She’s back! Controversial former SoS Kiffmeyer seeks to replace convicted legislator |publisher=Minnesota Independent |date=May 9, 2008 |accessdate=2012-12-08}}</ref>

==="No courage" remark===
In 2012, Kiffmeyer referred to fellow Republican State Representative [[John Kriesel]] as having "no courage" for not running for re-election in light of the [[U.S. Bank Stadium|new Vikings stadium]] vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2012/05/14/twitter-war-gops-kriesel-kiffmeyer-spar-over-stadium-vote/ |title=Twitter Wars: GOP's Kriesel, Kiffmeyer Spar Over Stadium Vote |publisher=CBS Minnesota |date=May 14, 2012 |accessdate=2012-12-08}}</ref> Kriesel, a decorated [[Iraq War]] veteran and [[Purple Heart]] recipient, had announced earlier that he would not be running for re-election to spend more time with his wife and two young children.


==Electoral history==
==Electoral history==
* '''Minnesota Senate 30th district election, 2020'''
* '''Minnesota Senate 30th district election, 2012'''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/ENR/Results/GetStateSenateResults/1?id=pstsenatedistrictid&districtid=518 | title=Results for State Senator District 30 | publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State | accessdate=February 24, 2013}}</ref>
** Mary Kiffmeyer (Republican), 34714 (67.3%)
** Diane Nguyen (DFL), 16861 (32.7%)
** [[Write-in candidate|Write-in]], 45 (0.1%)
* '''Minnesota Senate 30th district election, 2016'''
** Mary Kiffmeyer (Republican), 30484 (71.7%)
** P.J. LaCroix (DFL), 11979 (28.2%)
** [[Write-in candidate|Write-in]], 49 (0.1%)
* '''Minnesota Senate 30th district election, 2012'''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/ENR/Results/GetStateSenateResults/1?id=pstsenatedistrictid&districtid=518 | title=Results for State Senator District 30 | publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State | access-date=February 24, 2013 }}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
** Mary Kiffmeyer (Republican), 25205 (62.4%)
** Mary Kiffmeyer (Republican), 25205 (62.4%)
** Paul Perovich (DFL), 15125 (37.5%)
** Paul Perovich (DFL), 15125 (37.5%)
** [[Write-in candidate|Write-in]], 58 (0.1%)
** [[Write-in candidate|Write-in]], 58 (0.1%)
* '''Minnesota House of Representatives 16B district election, 2010'''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20101102/ElecRslts.asp?M=LG&LD=16B | title=State Representative District: 16B | publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State | accessdate=February 24, 2013}}</ref>
* '''Minnesota House of Representatives 16B district election, 2010'''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20101102/ElecRslts.asp?M=LG&LD=16B | title=State Representative District: 16B | publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State | access-date=February 24, 2013 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517030557/http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20101102/ElecRslts.asp?M=LG | archive-date=May 17, 2012 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>
** Mary Kiffmeyer (Republican), 13,254 (70.4%)
** Mary Kiffmeyer (Republican), 13,254 (70.4%)
** Tom Heyd (DFL), 5,563 (29.5%)
** Tom Heyd (DFL), 5,563 (29.5%)
** [[Write-in candidate|Write-in]], 18 (0.1%)
** [[Write-in candidate|Write-in]], 18 (0.1%)
* '''Minnesota House of Representatives 16B district election, 2008'''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20081104/ElecRslts.asp?M=LG&LD=16B | title=All Races by Legislative District – Representative District: 16B | publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State | accessdate=February 24, 2013}}</ref>
* '''Minnesota House of Representatives 16B district election, 2008'''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20081104/ElecRslts.asp?M=LG&LD=16B | title=All Races by Legislative District – Representative District: 16B | publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State | access-date=February 24, 2013 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917160937/http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20081104/ElecRslts.asp?M=LG&LD=16B | archive-date=September 17, 2011 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>
** Mary Kiffmeyer (Republican), 15,863 (63.5%)
** Mary Kiffmeyer (Republican), 15,863 (63.5%)
** Steve Andrews (DFL), 8,996 (36.0%)
** Steve Andrews (DFL), 8,996 (36.0%)
** [[Write-in candidate|Write-in]], 114 (0.5%)
** [[Write-in candidate|Write-in]], 114 (0.5%)
* '''Minnesota secretary of state election, 2006'''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20061107/ElecRslts.asp?M=S&Races=0332 | title=Statewide Results for Secretary of State | publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State | accessdate=February 24, 2013}}</ref>
* '''Minnesota secretary of state election, 2006'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20061107/ElecRslts.asp?M=S&Races=0332 |title=Statewide Results for Secretary of State |publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State |access-date=February 24, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110153759/http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20061107/ElecRslts.asp?M=S&Races=0332 |archive-date=November 10, 2012 }}</ref>
** [[Mark Ritchie]] (DFL), 1,049,432 (49.1%)
** [[Mark Ritchie (politician)|Mark Ritchie]] (DFL), 1,049,432 (49.1%)
** Mary Kiffmeyer (Republican), 943,989 (44.2%)
** Mary Kiffmeyer (Republican), 943,989 (44.2%)
** Bruce Kennedy (For Independent Voters), 78,522 (3.7%)
** Bruce Kennedy (For Independent Voters), 78,522 (3.7%)
** Joel Spoonheim (Independence), 64,489 (3.0%)
** Joel Spoonheim (Independence), 64,489 (3.0%)
** [[Write-in candidate|Write-in]], 1,211 (0.1%)
** [[Write-in candidate|Write-in]], 1,211 (0.1%)
* '''Minnesota secretary of state election, 2002'''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20021105/ElecRslts.asp?M=S&Races=0332 | title=Statewide Results for Secretary of State | publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State | accessdate=February 24, 2013}}</ref>
* '''Minnesota secretary of state election, 2002'''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20021105/ElecRslts.asp?M=S&Races=0332 | title=Statewide Results for Secretary of State | publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State | access-date=February 24, 2013 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110175856/http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20021105/ElecRslts.asp?M=S&Races=0332 | archive-date=November 10, 2012 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>
** Mary Kiffmeyer (Republican), 1,040,739 (47.6%)
** Mary Kiffmeyer (Republican), 1,040,739 (47.6%)
** Buck Humphrey (DFL), 974,045 (44.5%)
** Buck Humphrey (DFL), 974,045 (44.5%)
Line 95: Line 83:
** Andrew Koebrick (Green), 67,404 (3.1%)
** Andrew Koebrick (Green), 67,404 (3.1%)
** [[Write-in candidate|Write-in]], 1,253 (0.1%)
** [[Write-in candidate|Write-in]], 1,253 (0.1%)
* '''Minnesota secretary of state election, 1998'''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sos.state.mn.us/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=5474 | title=Constitutional Offices and Constitutional Amendments | publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State | accessdate=February 24, 2013}}</ref>
* '''Minnesota secretary of state election, 1998'''<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.sos.state.mn.us/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=5474 | title=Constitutional Offices and Constitutional Amendments | publisher=Minnesota Secretary of State | access-date=February 24, 2013}}</ref>
** Mary Kiffmeyer (Republican), 928,576 (46.8%)
** Mary Kiffmeyer (Republican), 928,576 (46.8%)
** Edwina Garcia (DFL), 818,236 (41.2%)
** Edwina Garcia (DFL), 818,236 (41.2%)
Line 103: Line 91:


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
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.<ref name="leg.state.mn.us">{{cite web|url=http://www.leg.state.mn.us/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=15302 |title=Mary Kiffmeyer |publisher=Minnesota Legislators Past and Present |date= |accessdate=2012-12-08}}</ref>
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.<ref name="leg.state.mn.us">{{cite web|url=http://www.leg.state.mn.us/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=15302 |title=Mary Kiffmeyer |publisher=Minnesota Legislators Past and Present |access-date=2012-12-08}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 109: Line 97:


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://kiffmeyer.org/Pages/InauguralAddress.htm Second Inaugural Address (Delivered in Saint Paul, January 6, 2003)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20030713233037/http://www.kiffmeyer.org/Pages/InauguralAddress.htm Second Inaugural Address (Delivered in Saint Paul, January 6, 2003)]
* [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3944/is_200406/ai_n9413280/pg_3/Oklahoma AU, Allies 'Let Freedom Ring' On National Day Of Prayer] (Online source for 2004 National Day of Prayer quotation)
* [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3944/is_200406/ai_n9413280/pg_3/Oklahoma AU, Allies 'Let Freedom Ring' On National Day Of Prayer] (Online source for 2004 National Day of Prayer quotation)
* [http://www.votingrights.org/resources/?resourceID=127 Voting Rights Project-ACLU v. Kiffmeyer]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060719044430/http://www.votingrights.org/resources/?resourceID=127 Voting Rights Project-ACLU v. Kiffmeyer]
* [http://www.auditor.leg.state.mn.us/fad/pdf/fad0716.pdf Minnesota Secretary of State Legislative Auditor Report for 2005 and 2006]
* [http://www.auditor.leg.state.mn.us/fad/pdf/fad0716.pdf Minnesota Secretary of State Legislative Auditor Report for 2005 and 2006]
* {{C-SPAN|marykiffmeyer}}
* {{C-SPAN|58719}}
{{MN-legdb|15302}}
{{MN-legdb|15302}}
* [http://www.senate.mn/members/member_bio.php?mem_id=1202 Senator Mary Kiffmeyer] ''official Minnesota Senate website''
* [http://www.senate.mn/members/member_bio.php?mem_id=1202 Senator Mary Kiffmeyer] ''official Minnesota Senate website''


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{{s-par|us-mn-sen}}
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{{s-new|district|reason=[[Redistricting]]}}
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{{s-inc}}
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{{s-end}}


{{Minnesota State Senators}}
{{MNSecretariesofState}}
{{MNSecretariesofState}}
{{Minnesota State Senators}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Kiffmeyer, Mary}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kiffmeyer, Mary}}
[[Category:1946 births]]
[[Category:1946 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American women politicians]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Republican Party members of the Minnesota House of Representatives]]
[[Category:People from Pierz, Minnesota]]
[[Category:People from Rugby, North Dakota]]
[[Category:People from Rugby, North Dakota]]
[[Category:Minnesota Republicans]]
[[Category:Secretaries of State of Minnesota]]
[[Category:Members of the Minnesota House of Representatives]]
[[Category:People from Pierz, Minnesota]]
[[Category:People from Sherburne County, Minnesota]]
[[Category:People from Sherburne County, Minnesota]]
[[Category:Women in Minnesota politics]]
[[Category:Secretaries of state of Minnesota]]
[[Category:Women state legislators in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Women state legislators in Minnesota]]
[[Category:21st-century members of the Minnesota Legislature]]

Latest revision as of 04:42, 2 December 2024

Mary Kiffmeyer
20th Secretary of State of Minnesota
In office
January 4, 1999 – January 1, 2007
GovernorJesse Ventura
Tim Pawlenty
Preceded byJoan Growe
Succeeded byMark Ritchie
President pro tempore of the Minnesota Senate
In office
January 7, 2019 – January 5, 2021
Preceded byWarren Limmer
Succeeded byDavid Tomassoni
Member of the Minnesota Senate
from the 30th district
In office
January 8, 2013 – January 3, 2023
Preceded byRedistricted
Succeeded byRedistricted
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 16B district
In office
January 6, 2009 – January 7, 2013
Preceded byMark Olson
Succeeded byRedistricted
Personal details
Born (1946-12-29) December 29, 1946 (age 77)
Rugby, North Dakota, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseRalph Kiffmeyer
EducationSt. 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 serve 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.

Early life

[edit]

The oldest of 14 children, Kiffmeyer was raised in Pierz, Minnesota.

Minnesota Secretary of State

[edit]

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 victims of domestic violence who wanted to register to vote and keep their address private.

Minnesota Legislature

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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 served as the President Pro Tem of the Minnesota Senate for two years.[2]

Electoral history

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  • Minnesota Senate 30th district election, 2020
    • Mary Kiffmeyer (Republican), 34714 (67.3%)
    • Diane Nguyen (DFL), 16861 (32.7%)
    • Write-in, 45 (0.1%)
  • Minnesota Senate 30th district election, 2016
    • Mary Kiffmeyer (Republican), 30484 (71.7%)
    • P.J. LaCroix (DFL), 11979 (28.2%)
    • Write-in, 49 (0.1%)
  • Minnesota Senate 30th district election, 2012[3]
    • Mary Kiffmeyer (Republican), 25205 (62.4%)
    • Paul Perovich (DFL), 15125 (37.5%)
    • Write-in, 58 (0.1%)
  • Minnesota House of Representatives 16B district election, 2010[4]
    • Mary Kiffmeyer (Republican), 13,254 (70.4%)
    • Tom Heyd (DFL), 5,563 (29.5%)
    • Write-in, 18 (0.1%)
  • Minnesota House of Representatives 16B district election, 2008[5]
    • Mary Kiffmeyer (Republican), 15,863 (63.5%)
    • Steve Andrews (DFL), 8,996 (36.0%)
    • Write-in, 114 (0.5%)
  • Minnesota secretary of state election, 2006[6]
    • Mark Ritchie (DFL), 1,049,432 (49.1%)
    • Mary Kiffmeyer (Republican), 943,989 (44.2%)
    • Bruce Kennedy (For Independent Voters), 78,522 (3.7%)
    • Joel Spoonheim (Independence), 64,489 (3.0%)
    • Write-in, 1,211 (0.1%)
  • Minnesota secretary of state election, 2002[7]
    • Mary Kiffmeyer (Republican), 1,040,739 (47.6%)
    • Buck Humphrey (DFL), 974,045 (44.5%)
    • Dean Alger (Independence), 104,799 (4.8%)
    • Andrew Koebrick (Green), 67,404 (3.1%)
    • Write-in, 1,253 (0.1%)
  • Minnesota secretary of state election, 1998[8]
    • Mary Kiffmeyer (Republican), 928,576 (46.8%)
    • Edwina Garcia (DFL), 818,236 (41.2%)
    • Alan Shilepsky (Reform), 192,997 (9.7%)
    • Kenneth Iverson (Libertarian), 44,663 (2.2%)
    • Write-in, 1,742 (0.1%)

Personal life

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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]

References

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  1. ^ "Minnesota Legislators Past & Present – Legislator Record – Kiffmeyer, Mary". Leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
  2. ^ "MN State Senate". www.senate.mn. Retrieved November 25, 2019.
  3. ^ "Results for State Senator District 30". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 24, 2013.[permanent dead link‍]
  4. ^ "State Representative District: 16B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on May 17, 2012. Retrieved February 24, 2013.
  5. ^ "All Races by Legislative District – Representative District: 16B". Minnesota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 17, 2011. Retrieved February 24, 2013.
  6. ^ "Statewide Results for Secretary of State". Minnesota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved February 24, 2013.
  7. ^ "Statewide Results for Secretary of State". Minnesota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved February 24, 2013.
  8. ^ "Constitutional Offices and Constitutional Amendments". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 24, 2013.
  9. ^ "Mary Kiffmeyer". Minnesota Legislators Past and Present. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
[edit]
Party political offices
Preceded by
Richard Kimbler
 Republican nominee for Minnesota Secretary of State
1998, 2002, 2006 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Secretary of State of Minnesota
1999–2007 		Succeeded by
Minnesota House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 16B district
2009–2013 		Redistricted
Minnesota Senate
Redistricted Member of the Minnesota Senate
from the 30th district
2013–present 		Incumbent
Preceded by President pro tempore of the Minnesota Senate
2019–2021 		Succeeded by
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