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    Molnau, Carol L.

    Sessions Served    Other Information

    House 1993-2002 (District 35A)

    Party when first elected:  Independent Republican

    Counties Served:  Carver, Le Sueur, Scott, Sibley

    BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

    Date of Birth: 9/17/1949
    Birth Place: Minnesota
    Birth County: Carver
    Birth Country: United States
    Date of Death:
    Gender: Female
    Religion: Lutheran-Missouri Synod
    Reported Minority: None Reported
    Other Names:
    City of Residence (when first elected): Chaska
    Occupation (when first elected): Farm Owner and Operator, 430 Acres; Beef, Corn, Soybeans, and Alfalpha

    EDUCATION

    Waconia High School; Secondary;
    University of Minnesota; Attended College; Leadership

    OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

    Municipal Council/Aldermen: Chaska, Minnesota (City Council); 1989 to 1992 [Elected]
    State Lieutenant Governor: Minnesota; 01/06/2003 to 01/03/2011 [Elected]
    State Agency: Minnesota Department of Transportation (Commissioner); 01/06/2003 to 02/28/2008 [Appointed]

    FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

    Spouse: Steven "Steve" Molnau (married in 1971)
    Children: Three children: Heather, Kristen, and Megan (daughters)
    Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

    GENERAL NOTES

    She served as both Minnesota Lieutenant Governor and Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation in Governor Tim Pawlenty's administration. The Senate confirmed her appointment as Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation during Governor Pawlenty's first term. However, in February 2008, during his second term, the Senate rejected her confirmation.

    She was a member of Our Savior Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in Shorewood, Minnesota.

    Religion provided by Politics in Minnesota, the Directory, 1999-2000 and a newspaper article.

    Most recent term photo
    Click to view
    Total Days Served: 3654

    SESSIONS SERVED

    82nd Legislative Session (2001-2002)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 35A
    Elected: 11/7/2000
    Residence: Chaska
    Term of Office: 1/3/2001 to 1/6/2003
    Counties Represented: Carver, Le Sueur, Scott, Sibley
    Occupation: Farm Owner and Operator; Beef, Corn, Soybeans, and Alfalpha
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Special Session Bills Authored:  2001 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author    2001 1st Sp.S. - Author
    Committees:
    Leadership Position: Assistant Majority Leader
    term photo
    Click to view

    81st Legislative Session (1999-2000)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 35A
    Elected: 11/3/1998
    Residence: Chaska
    Term of Office: 1/5/1999 to 1/2/2001
    Counties Represented: Carver, Le Sueur, Scott, Sibley
    Occupation: Farm Owner and Operator; Beef, Corn, Soybeans, and Alfalpha
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    Leadership Position: Assistant Majority Leader

    80th Legislative Session (1997-1998)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 35A
    Elected: 11/5/1996
    Residence: Chaska
    Term of Office: 1/7/1997 to 1/4/1999
    Counties Represented: Carver, Le Sueur, Scott, Sibley
    Occupation: Farm Owner and Operator; Beef, Corn, Soybeans, and Alfalpha
    Party: Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Agriculture Minutes
    • Agriculture: Joint House/Senate Special Select Subcommittee on Agricultural Education Minutes
    • Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs
    • Transportation and Transit Minutes
    • Transportation and Transit: Transportation and Transit Finance Division Minutes
    • Transportation and Transit: Transportation Efficiency and Standards Minutes
    • Ways and Means
    Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader

    79th Legislative Session (1995-1996)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 35A
    Elected: 11/8/1994
    Residence: Chaska
    Term of Office: 1/3/1995 to 1/6/1997
    Counties Represented: Carver, Le Sueur, Scott, Sibley
    Occupation: Farm Owner and Operator; Beef, Corn, Soybeans, and Alfalpha
    Party: Independent Republican
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Agriculture
    • Agriculture: Agriculture Finance and Rural Development
    • Agriculture: Dairy Policy and Soil and Water Conservation
    • Economic Development, Infrastructure and Regulation Finance
    • Economic Development, Infrastructure and Regulation Finance: Transportation Finance Division
    • Financial Institutions and Insurance
    • International Trade and Economic Development
    term photo
    Click to view

    78th Legislative Session (1993-1994)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 35A
    Elected: 11/3/1992
    Residence: Chaska
    Term of Office: 1/5/1993 to 1/2/1995
    Counties Represented: Carver, Le Sueur, Scott, Sibley
    Occupation: Farm Owner and Operator, 430 Acres; Beef, Corn, Soybeans, and Alfalpha
    Party: Independent Republican
    Committees:
    • Agriculture
    • Agriculture: Dairy and Livestock
    • Agriculture: Soil and Water Resources
    • Economic Development, Infrastructure and Regulation Finance
    • Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs
    • Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs: Metropolitan Council

    OTHER INFORMATION

    Articles & Books About
    Samaha, Adam. "Life at Capitol Far Cry from Molnau's Days on Farm." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, February 5, 1993, p. 17.

    Carol Molnau. Biographical Information from the Minnesota Historical Society's Governors of Minnesota.


    District Files

    District File - 2000 District 35A
    District File - 2002 District 35A
    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.

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