Minnesota Report
It was, to say the least, curious when former Speaker Kurt Daudt (R) singled out the recently married Republican legislators, Sen Jason Rarick (R-11, Pine City) and Rep Marion “O’Neill” Rarick (R-29B, Maple Lake), as the latest example of legislative couples in Minnesota. Their districts—103 miles apart—could hardly seem further removed from the reality of their shared lives, much less their political work in St. Paul. The Speacial Election in SD 06 do offer another potential political union if Keri Heintzeman (R-06, Nisswa), win the senate seat and joins her husband, Rep Josh Heintzeman (R-06B, Nisswa), at the Capitol.
While these are interesting anecdotes, they omit the broader historical narrative of married legislators in Minnesota. We must ask: How well do Speaker Daudt and others truly understand the rich history of marital partnerships in our legislature? For context, we need only glance back at the legacy of political couples who have shaped our state’s laws and policies.
The first such notable couple was Brooklyn Park’s Sen Bill Luther (DFL), who began his legislative career in the House in 1975, then transitioned to the Senate in 1977, serving until 1994 before moving on to Congress. He was joined by his wife Darlene (DFL) who served in the House from 1993-2022.
In 1995, the political landscape shifted yet again when Sen Ellen Anderson (DFL-66, St. Paul) married Rep Andy Dawkins (DFL-65A, St. Paul). In a rare alignment, the two represented adjoining districts, a geographic coincidence that allowed them to work closely together on numerous legislative initiatives.
So, Mr Speaker, while we appreciate your attempt to highlight current legislative couples, it seems more than fair to ask that you broaden your perspective and recognize the full depth of history. For instance, it’s important to acknowledge that these political unions transcend partisan lines, serving as vital components of Minnesota’s democratic history. And perhaps, in doing so, we can move beyond partisan assumptions to celebrate the role that marital partnerships have long played in shaping our state’s future.
In this instance, we would encourage Speaker Daudt to remove the partisan lens through which he views Minnesota’s political legacy, allowing for a richer, more inclusive understanding of the complex history that has led us to this moment. After all, to understand the present, one must first appreciate the lessons of the past.