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Molnau, Carol L.

Sessions Served  red ball graphic  Other Information

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Map of Chaska
Chaska, MN

House 1993-2002 (District 35A)

Party when first elected:  Independent Republican

Counties Served:  Carver, Le Sueur, Scott, Sibley

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 09/17/1949 Date of Death: 
Birth Place: Minnesota Birth County: Carver Birth Country: United States
Other Names:
Gender:  Female Religion:  Lutheran-Missouri Synod
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/AldermenChaska, Minnesota (City Council)Elected??/??/1989 to ??/??/1992
State Lieutenant GovernorMinnesotaElected01/06/2003 to 01/03/2011
State AgencyMinnesota Department of Transportation (Commissioner)Appointed01/06/2003 to 02/28/2008

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.

Legislative Session: 82nd (2001-2002)   Session Details term photo
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Body: House Elected: 11/7/2000 Term of Office: 1/3/2001 to 1/6/2003
District: 35A Residence: Chaska
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:  
Committees:
Capital Investment
Rules and Legislative Administration
Transportation Finance (Chair)
Transportation Policy
Ways and Means
Leadership Position: Assistant Majority Leader
Legislative Session: 81st (1999-2000)   Session Details
Body: House Elected: 11/3/1998 Term of Office: 1/5/1999 to 1/2/2001
District: 35A Residence: Chaska
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:
Capital Investment
Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs
Transportation Finance (Chair)
Transportation Policy
Ways and Means
Leadership Position: Assistant Majority Leader
Legislative Session: 80th (1997-1998)   Session Details
Body: House Elected: 11/5/1996 Term of Office: 1/7/1997 to 1/4/1999
District: 35A Residence: Chaska
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
Agriculture Subcommittee: Joint House/Senate Special Select Subcommittee on Agricultural Education
Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs
Transportation and Transit
Transportation and Transit Subcommittee: Transportation and Transit Finance Division
Transportation and Transit Subcommittee: Transportation Efficiency and Standards
Ways and Means
Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader
Legislative Session: 79th (1995-1996)   Session Details
Body: House Elected: 11/8/1994 Term of Office: 1/3/1995 to 1/6/1997
District: 35A Residence: Chaska
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 Subcommittee: Agriculture Finance and Rural Development
Agriculture Subcommittee: Dairy Policy and Soil and Water Conservation
Economic Development, Infrastructure and Regulation Finance
Economic Development, Infrastructure and Regulation Finance Subcommittee: Transportation Finance Division
Financial Institutions and Insurance
International Trade and Economic Development
Legislative Session: 78th (1993-1994)   Session Details
Body: House Elected: 11/3/1992 Term of Office: 1/5/1993 to 1/2/1995
District: 35A Residence: Chaska
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 Subcommittee: Dairy and Livestock
Agriculture Subcommittee: Soil and Water Resources
Economic Development, Infrastructure and Regulation Finance
Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs
Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs Subcommittee: 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.




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

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