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    Koenen, Lyle J.

    Sessions Served    Other Information

    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.

    Most recent term photo
    Click to view
    Total Days Served: 5111

    SESSIONS SERVED

    89th Legislative Session (2015-2016) (second half of Senate term)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 17
    Elected: 11/6/2012
    Residence: Clara City
    Term of Office: 1/7/2013 to 1/1/2017
    Counties Represented: Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Renville, Swift
    Occupation:
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    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
    term photo
    Click to view

    88th Legislative Session (2013-2014)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 17
    Elected: 11/6/2012
    Residence: Clara City
    Term of Office: 1/7/2013 to 1/1/2017
    Counties Represented: Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Renville, Swift
    Occupation: None Listed
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Environment and Energy
    • Jobs, Agriculture, and Rural Development
    • Taxes
    • Taxes: Tax Reform Division
    Leadership Position: Majority Whip
    term photo
    Click to view

    87th Legislative Session (2011-2012)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 20
    Elected: 4/10/2012
    Residence: Clara City
    Term of Office: 4/18/2012 to 1/6/2013 (Special Election)
    Counties Represented: Big Stone, Chippewa, Lac Qui Parle, Lincoln, Renville, Swift, Yellow Medicine
    Occupation:
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    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.

    87th Legislative Session (2011-2012)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 20B
    Elected: 11/2/2010
    Residence: Clara City
    Term of Office: 1/3/2011 to 4/17/2012 (unfinished term)
    Counties Represented: Chippewa, Renville, Yellow Medicine
    Occupation: Transportation
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    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.
    term photo
    Click to view

    86th Legislative Session (2009-2010)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 20B
    Elected: 11/4/2008
    Residence: Clara City
    Term of Office: 1/5/2009 to 1/2/2011
    Counties Represented: Chippewa, Renville, Yellow Medicine
    Occupation: Farmer/School Bus Driver/Bulk Milk Truck Driver
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    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
    term photo
    Click to view

    85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 20B
    Elected: 11/7/2006
    Residence: Clara City
    Term of Office: 1/1/2007 to 1/4/2009
    Counties Represented: Chippewa, Renville, Yellow Medicine
    Occupation: Farmer
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    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
    term photo
    Click to view

    84th Legislative Session (2005-2006)

      Session Details
    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
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Special Session Bills Authored:     2005 1st Sp.S. - Author
    Committees:
    term photo
    Click to view

    83rd Legislative Session (2003-2004)

      Session Details
    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
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Agriculture and Rural Development Finance Minutes
    • Agriculture Policy Minutes
    • Environment and Natural Resources Finance Minutes
    • Environment and Natural Resources Policy Minutes
    term photo
    Click to view

    OTHER INFORMATION

    Articles & Books About

    District Files

    2003 (20B)
    2004 (20B)
    2005 (20B)
    2006 (20B)
    2007 (20B)
    2008 (20B)
    2009 (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.

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