Special Legislative Concerns: education, jobs, taxes.
She was the second woman to be elected to the Minnesota Senate. The first woman, Laura Emelia Johnson Naplin, served from 1927-34.
She was State Chairwoman of the Minnesota Republican Party, 1963-69, and State Chairwoman of the Minnesota GOP
Finance Committee 1969-71. (Minnesota Legislative Manual, 1975/76-1985/86.)
"She (served) 17 years in the Legislature and developed a reputation for being willing to work across the aisle with Democrats to get things done for Rochester. During her career, the Rochester Republican helped pass a local sales tax to pay for the city's massive flood control project and laid the groundwork for the establishment of the University of Minnesota Rochester." (Rochester Post-Bulletin, April 18, 2014.)
"She will be remembered as this tenacious, well-organized, don't say no or get in my way legislator," (Sen. Dave) Senjem said. "She would blow through any resistance to work toward her desire." (Rochester Post-Bulletin, April 18, 2014.)
"She...worked in Washington, D.C., in 1972 on President Richard Nixon's re-election campaign." (Rochester Post-Bulletin, April 18, 2014.)
"When Brataas first arrived at the Capitol, she had to contend with some male colleagues questioning whether she was adhering to the Senate dress code because she was not wearing a tie." (Rochester Post-Bulletin, April 18, 2014.)
"'She was the most effective minority member I have ever seen in my tenure,' (retired Associated Press political reporter Gene Lahammer) said." (Rochester Post-Bulletin, April 18, 2014.)
"'She proved herself. She went way beyond. She became one of the most beloved senators in Minnesota's history,' (said Sen. Carla Nelson)." (Star Tribune, April 18, 2014.)
Religion provided by Minnesota Legislative Manual 1975-76.