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Olson, Mary A.

Senate 2007-2010 (District 4)

Party when first elected:  Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Counties Served:  Beltrami, Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 5/23/1958
Birth Place: Willmar, Minnesota
Birth County: Kandiyohi
Birth Country: United States
Date of Death:
Gender: Female
Religion: Lutheran
Reported Minority: None Reported
Other Names:
Former Name: Gandrud
City of Residence (when first elected): Bemidji
Occupation (when first elected): Attorney

EDUCATION

Bemidji High School; Secondary;
Concordia College, Moorhead; Attended College;
University of North Dakota; B.A.; English and Journalism
University of North Dakota, Law School; J.D.;

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

County Attorney: Crow Wing County, Minnesota (Assistant County Attorney); [Dates Unknown]
Military: United States Air Force (March Air Force Base, California, Attorney/JAG Officer); 1985 to 1989

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: John
Children: Four children: Michelle, Annalise, Alyson, and John
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
Peter Anners Gandrud  - Great Great Grandfather

GENERAL NOTES

Special Legislative Concerns: health care, higher education, economic development, environmental issues, judiciary issues, civil justice issues.

She had some Norwegian ancestry.

She moved to Bemidji, Minnesota in 1963, with her parents.

She was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church.

Birth city provided by her father.

Religion provided by Politics in Minnesota the Directory, 2007-2008 and Project Vote Smart, 2009.

Total Days Served: 1462

SESSIONS SERVED

86th Legislative Session (2009-2010) (second half of Senate term)

  Session Details
Body: Senate
District: 04
Elected: 11/7/2006
Residence: Bemidji
Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 1/3/2011
Counties Represented: Beltrami, Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca
Occupation: Attorney
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
  • Commerce and Consumer Protection
  • Finance: Economic Development and Housing Budget Division
  • Finance: Health and Human Services Budget Division
  • Judiciary
  • Judiciary: Data Practices (Chair)
Ran in next election? Yes. Defeated in general election

85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

  Session Details
Body: Senate
District: 04
Elected: 11/7/2006
Residence: Bemidji
Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 1/3/2011
Counties Represented: Beltrami, Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Itasca
Occupation: Attorney
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
  • Commerce and Consumer Protection
  • Finance: Economic Development Budget Division
  • Finance: Health and Human Services Budget Division
  • Judiciary
  • Judiciary: Data Practices (Chair)

District Files

District File - 2007 District 04
District File - 2008 District 04
District File - 2009 District 04
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.