Koenen, Lyle J.
House 2003-2012 (District 20B); Senate 2012 (District 20); Senate 2013-2016 (District 17)
Party when first elected: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Counties Served:
Big Stone, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Lincoln, Renville, Swift, Yellow Medicine
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Date of Birth:
6/16/1956
Birth Place:
Willmar, Minnesota
Birth County:
Kandiyohi
Birth Country:
United States
Date of Death:
Gender:
Male
Religion:
Christian Reformed
Reported Minority: None Reported
Other Names:
City of Residence (when first elected):
Maynard
Occupation (when first elected):
Farmer
EDUCATION
Maynard High School; Secondary;
Ridgewater College; A.A.; Agriculture, 1976
OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
Spouse:
Sandy
Children:
Four children
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
GENERAL NOTES
He ran unsuccessfully for the Minnesota Senate in the 2000 election.
He unsuccessfully ran for House District 17A seat in 2018.
He was a member of the Reformed Church of Clara City, Minnesota.
Religion provided by Session Weekly, March 14, 2003; Natural Resources Defense Council's State Directories, 2005; and Politics in Minnesota the Directory, 2005-2006.
Body: Senate
District: 17
Elected: 11/6/2012
Residence: Clara City
Term of Office: 1/8/2013 to 1/2/2017
Counties Represented:
Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Renville, Swift
Occupation:
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
-
Environment and Energy
-
Jobs, Agriculture and Rural Development
-
Taxes
-
Taxes: Tax Reform Division
Leadership Position:
Majority Whip
Ran in next election? Yes. Defeated in general election
Body: Senate
District: 17
Elected: 11/6/2012
Residence: Clara City
Term of Office: 1/8/2013 to 1/2/2017
Counties Represented:
Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Renville, Swift
Occupation: None Listed
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
-
Environment and Energy
-
Jobs, Agriculture, and Rural Development
-
Taxes
-
Taxes: Tax Reform Division
Leadership Position:
Majority Whip
Body: Senate
District: 20
Elected: 4/10/2012
Residence: Clara City
Term of Office: 4/18/2012 to 1/7/2013
(Special Election)
Counties Represented:
Big Stone, Chippewa, Lac Qui Parle, Lincoln, Renville, Swift, Yellow Medicine
Occupation:
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
Session Notes:
He won the Senate special election held due to the death of Gary Kubly. He was sworn in on April 18, 2012.
Body: House
District: 20B
Elected: 11/2/2010
Residence: Clara City
Term of Office: 1/4/2011 to 4/17/2012
(unfinished term)
Counties Represented:
Chippewa, Renville, Yellow Medicine
Occupation: Transportation
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
-
State Government Finance: Veterans Services Division
Minutes
-
Taxes
Minutes
-
Taxes: Property and Local Tax Division
Minutes
Reason for unfinished term:
Elected to other office
Session Notes:
He resigned effective April 17, 2012 in order to take the Senate District 20 seat he won in a special election on April 10, 2012. The Senate seat was vacant due to the death of Gary Kubly.
A House special election was not held to replace him.
Body: House
District: 20B
Elected: 11/4/2008
Residence: Clara City
Term of Office: 1/6/2009 to 1/3/2011
Counties Represented:
Chippewa, Renville, Yellow Medicine
Occupation: Farmer/School Bus Driver/Bulk Milk Truck Driver
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
-
Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs: Veterans Affairs Division (Chair)
Minutes
-
Finance: State Government Finance Division
Minutes
-
Taxes
Minutes
-
Taxes: Property and Local Sales Tax Division
Minutes
Body: House
District: 20B
Elected: 11/7/2006
Residence: Clara City
Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 1/5/2009
Counties Represented:
Chippewa, Renville, Yellow Medicine
Occupation: Farmer
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
-
Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs: Veterans Affairs Division (Chair)
Minutes
-
Health and Human Services: Mental Health Division
Minutes
-
Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs
Minutes
-
Taxes
Minutes
Body: House
District: 20B
Elected: 11/2/2004
Residence: Clara City
Term of Office: 1/4/2005 to 1/2/2007
Counties Represented:
Chippewa, Renville, Yellow Medicine
Occupation: Farmer
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Special Session Bills Authored: 2005 1st Sp.S. - Author
Body: House
District: 20B
Elected: 11/5/2002
Residence: Maynard
Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/3/2005
Counties Represented:
Chippewa, Renville, Yellow Medicine
Occupation: Farmer
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
-
Agriculture and Rural Development Finance
Minutes
-
Agriculture Policy
Minutes
-
Environment and Natural Resources Finance
Minutes
-
Environment and Natural Resources Policy
Minutes
Articles & Books About
Schutz, Lee Ann. "Complicated Road to the Senate." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, April 20, 2012, p. 18.
Jones, Jeff. "Farmer Friendly: As One Who Lives Off the Land, Koenen Looks to Improve the Livelihood for Many Rural Minnesotans." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, March 14, 2003, p. 21.
District Files
District File - 2003 District 20B
District File - 2004 District 20B
District File - 2005 District 20B
District File - 2006 District 20B
District File - 2007 District 20B
District File - 2008 District 20B
District File - 2009 District 20B
These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.
The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library has collected newspaper articles on legislators since 1973. They are available in the Library.