Bob Gunther

Bob Gunther (born July 12, 1943) is a Minnesota politician and former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, he represented District 23A, which includes all or portions of Blue Earth, Faribault, Jackson, Martin and Watonwan counties.

Early life, education, and career[]

Gunther was born in Sioux City, Iowa, and graduated from Fairmont High School in Fairmont. He served in the United States Navy until age 26, then earned a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from Saint Cloud State University.

Gunther co-owned Gunther's Foods in Fairmont and Elmore.

Political career[]

Gunther was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives as a Republican in 1995 in a special election held after Representative Gene Hugoson was appointed Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture. He served until 2021, after not seeking reelection in 2020.^[1]

Until redistricting in 2002, Gunther represented the old District 26A.^[2]

Electoral history[]

2010 Minnesota State Representative District 24A

Bob Gunther (R), 8994 votes, 63.15%

Steve Fausch (DFL), 5242 votes, 36.80%

Write-In, 7 votes, 0.05%

2008 Minnesota State Representative District 24A

Bob Gunther (R), 10752 votes, 61.57%

Dale Hansen (DFL), 6697 votes, 38.35%

Write-In, 14 votes, 0.08%

2006 Minnesota State Representative District 24A

Bob Gunther (R), 9905 votes, 66.35%

Norma Schmitt (DFL), 5007 votes, 33.54%

Write-In, 17 votes, 0.11%

2004 Minnesota State Representative District 24A

Bob Gunther (R), 11468 votes, 62.84%

John Gibeau(DFL), 6775 votes, 37.13%

Write-In, 6 votes, 0.03%

2002 Minnesota State Representative District 24A

Bob Gunther (R), 11446 votes, 72.36%

Lavonne Bowman (DFL), 4358 votes, 2755%

Write-In, 14 votes, 0.09%

• • • Redistricting: Change in district number and configuration

2000 Minnesota State Representative District 26A

Bob Gunther (R), 13090 votes, 100.00%

Unopposed.

1998 Minnesota State Representative District 26A

Bob Gunther (R), 12076 votes, 98.9%

Unopposed.

Write-In, 130 votes, 1.1%

1996 Minnesota State Representative District 26A

Bob Gunther (R), ? votes, ?%

?(DFL), ? votes, ?%

Write-In, ? votes, ?%

1995 Minnesota State Representative District 26A Special Election January 8, 1995

Bob Gunther (R),? votes, ?%

?(DFL), ? votes, ?%

Write-In, ? votes, ?%

Personal life[]

Gunther is married to Nancy, and they have one child. He is a member of the Bethel Evangelical Free Church.^[3] He enjoys reading Louis L’Amour and Robert Ludlum.

References[]

External links[]

• Bob Gunther at Minnesota Legislators Past & Present
• Rep. Gunther Web Page
• Minnesota Public Radio Votetracker: Rep. Bob Gunther
• Project Votesmart: Rep. Bob Gunther Profile
• Vance, Daniel J. "Mr. Whipple goes to St. Paul." Connect Business Magazine