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Wergin, Betsy L.

Senate 2003-08 (District 16)

Party when first elected:  Republican

Counties Served:  Benton, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Sherburne

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 3/4/1952
Birth Place: Princeton, Minnesota
Birth County: Mille Lacs
Birth Country: United States
Date of Death:
Gender: Female
Religion: Christian Reformed
Reported Minority: None Reported
Other Names:
City of Residence (when first elected): Princeton
Occupation (when first elected): Retired Business Owner, Betsy's Knit-N-Stitch, Machine-Knitting Business

EDUCATION

Princeton High School; Secondary; Graduate
St. Cloud State University; Attended College; Accounting Classes

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

Municipal Board/Commission: Baldwin, Minnesota (Township Officer/Clerk); 1989 to 1995
County Board/Commissioner: Sherburne County, Minnesota (County Commissioner); 1995 to 2002
State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota State Public Utilities Commission; 07/28/2008 to 2??? [Appointed]

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Richard
Children: Two children: Melissa (daughter), Joshua "Josh" (son)
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
J. LeRoy Koppendrayer  - Brother

GENERAL NOTES

Special Legislative Concerns: education policy and finance, transportation, pro-life initiatives, health care.

She was raised on a farm.

Religion provided by Politics in Minnesota the Directory, 2005-2006.

Total Days Served: 2030

SESSIONS SERVED

85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

  Session Details
Body: Senate
District: 16
Elected: 11/7/2006
Residence: Princeton
Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 7/28/2008 (unfinished term)
Counties Represented: Benton, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Sherburne
Occupation: Retired Business Owner, Betsy's Knit-N-Stitch, Machine-Knitting Business
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
  • Agriculture and Veterans
  • Capital Investment
  • Finance: Agriculture and Veterans Budget and Policy Division
  • Finance: E-12 Education Budget Division
  • Health, Housing and Family Security
Leadership Position: Deputy Minority Leader
Leadership Notes: She resigned from the Minnesota Legislature on July 28, 2008.
Reason for unfinished term: Appointed to other office
Session Notes: She was appointed to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission by Governor Tim Pawlenty.

84th Legislative Session (2005-2006) (second half of Senate term)

  Session Details
Body: Senate
District: 16
Elected: 11/5/2002
Residence: Princeton
Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/2/2007
Counties Represented: Benton, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Sherburne
Occupation: Retired Business Owner, Betsy's Knit-N-Stitch, Machine-Knitting Business
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:  2005 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author    2005 1st Sp.S. - Author
Committees:
  • Agriculture, Veterans and Gaming
  • Finance: Early Childhood Policy and Budget Division
  • Finance: K-12 Education Budget Division
  • Health and Family Security
  • State and Local Government Operations

83rd Legislative Session (2003-2004)

  Session Details
Body: Senate
District: 16
Elected: 11/5/2002
Residence: Princeton
Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/2/2007
Counties Represented: Benton, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Sherburne
Occupation: Retired Business Owner, Betsy's Knit-N-Stitch, Machine-Knitting Business
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
  • Agriculture, General Legislation and Veterans Affairs-2003/Agriculture, Veterans and Gaming-2004
  • Finance: Early Childhood Policy and Budget Division-2004
  • Finance: Early Childhood-Grade 12 Education Budget Division-2003/K-12 Education Budget Division-2004
  • State and Local Government Operations

District Files

District File - 2003 District 16
District File - 2004 District 16
District File - 2005 District 16
District File - 2006 District 16
District File - 2007 District 16

The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library has collected newspaper articles on legislators since 1973. They are available in the Library.