Peggy Bennett

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Peggy Bennett
Peggy Bennett.jpg
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 27A district
Assumed office
January 6, 2015
Preceded byShannon Savick
Personal details
Born (1958-07-03) July 3, 1958 (age 63)
White Bear Lake, Minnesota, U.S.
Political partyRepublican Party of Minnesota
ResidenceAlbert Lea, Minnesota
Alma materCrown College (B.A.)
St. Cloud State University (M.A.)
OccupationLegislator
Teacher

Peggy Bennett (born July 3, 1958) is an American politician, and a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota (R), she represents District 27A in Southern Minnesota, which includes: 95% of Freeborn County, 4 eastern townships in Faribault County, 1 township in the NW corner of Mower County, 2 townships in SW Dodge County, and the City of Blooming Prairie in Steele County.

Early life, education, and career[]

Bennett grew up in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. She graduated from Mound Westonka High School in Mound, Minnesota. She attended Crown College in St. Bonifacius, Minnesota, graduating in 1980 with a B.A. in Education. She later attended St. Cloud State University, graduating in 1981 with a M.A. in Special Education.[1] Bennett got her first teaching job in special education in Albert Lea in 1981. She taught her third year in Wells following a round of cuts, then came back to Albert Lea to teach in a K-1 transition room for special ed. and regular ed. students for seven years before becoming a first-grade teacher. In 2011, Bennett was named the Albert Lea Area Teacher of the Year. Bennett taught for 33 years before being elected to the Minnesota Legislature. She is now retired from teaching.

Minnesota House of Representatives[]

Elections[]

Bennett announced her intention to run for the Minnesota House of Representatives in December 2013 and challenge incumbent Rep. Shannon Savick. During the campaign Bennett prioritized education, agriculture, and the economy. Her campaign slogan was "People Before Politics".[2] Bennett won, defeating incumbent Savick 53% to 39% by 2,016 votes.[3]

2014 Minnesota State Representative- House 27A[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic (DFL) Shannon Savick (Incumbent) 6139 39.93 -7.77
Republican Peggy Bennett 8155 53.04
Independence Thomas Price 1066 6.93

Tenure[]

Bennett was sworn in on January 6, 2015. She is now serving her third term in the Minnesota House.

Committee assignments[]

Bennett has previously served as the Vice-Chair of the Education Innovation Policy Committee.[4] She has also served on the Education Finance, Agriculture Finance, Capital Investment, and Education Policy committees.[5]

Personal life[]

Bennett is single, but considers her more than 750 students her "kids." She resides in Albert Lea, Minnesota and is active in the community and her church. She served as a volunteer working with struggling, disadvantaged, and troubled youth for many years. She is a member of the NRA and a gun owner. She is also active in the International Shiloh Shepherd Dog Club. She has a dog, Colter, who helped teach her 1st Grade students how to read. Colter was featured on Fox & Friends in June 2014.[6] Besides Colter, Bennett has 2 cats, Kelchi and Mingo.

References[]

  1. ^ "Teacher declares candidacy in House District 27A". Albert Lea Tribune. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  2. ^ "Peggy Bennett for House 27A". Bennett for MN House 27A committee. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  3. ^ a b "Results for State Representative District 27A". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  4. ^ "Newcomer Bennett hopes to bring education perspective to state House". The Leader. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  5. ^ "Area House members named to legislative committees". The Leader. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  6. ^ "Dog teaches first-graders how to read". Fox News.

External links[]

Minnesota House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the House of Representatives
from District 57A
2015–present 		Incumbent
Retrieved from ""