Michelle Benson

American accountant and politician, Republican member of the Minnesota State Senate

Michelle Benson
Benson in 2016

Member of the Minnesota Senate
Incumbent
Assumed office January 4, 2011
Preceded by	Debbie Johnson
Constituency	49th (2011–2013) 31st (2013–present)

Personal details
Born	(1968-09-11) September 11, 1968 (age 55)
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Craig Benson^[1]
Children	3
Residence	Ham Lake, Minnesota
Alma mater	St. Catherine University (BA) University of St. Thomas (MBA)
Occupation	Accountant, consultant

Michelle R. Benson (born September 11, 1968) is an American accountant, politician, and Republican member of the Minnesota Senate. She represents District 31, which includes portions of Anoka, Isanti and Sherburne counties in the northern Twin Cities metropolitan area. Benson is the Deputy Majority Leader of the Minnesota Senate.

Early life, education, and career

Benson was raised on a farm near Murdock, Minnesota, graduating from Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg High School. In 1991, Benson graduated from St. Catherine University in Saint Paul with a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry. In 1996, Benson received a Master of Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas.^[2]^[3] Benson, a certified public accountant, previously worked as an auditor and consultant at Deloitte & Touche and as executive director of a non-profit cybersecurity organization.^[4]

Minnesota Senate

In 2010, Benson challenged incumbent Debbie Johnson for the Republican nomination. Benson won the nomination and subsequently won the election.^[5] Benson was re-elected handily in 2012 and 2016.^[6] She currently serves as chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee and is a deputy majority leader.^[7]

In 2015, she co-sponsored legislation that would allow businesses to refuse to provide services for same-sex couples.^[8]

In 2021, Michelle Benson called into question the ways in which the Minnesota government spent federal COVID-19 relief, dubbing the spending wasteful.^[9]

On August 31, 2021, Benson announced she was running for Governor of Minnesota. In her announcement, Benson promised to fight back against “radical, leftist policies” regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, and promised to deliver a "safer, better, and stronger" Minnesota.^[10]

Personal life

Benson has been a Boy Scout and Cub Scout leader, an administrator for a local Montessori school, and a member of the local chambers of commerce.^[11] Benson and her husband, Craig, live in Ham Lake with their three children.^[12]

References

^ Michelle Benson's husband files for bankruptcy, startribune.com. Accessed June 2, 2023.
^ Cutts, Emily (October 2, 2010). "Senate District 49: Two Ham Lake candidates square off". Twin Cities. Retrieved December 31, 2017.
^ "Ready to run: Alumni use education, experiences to run for public office | Minnesota Private Colleges". www.mnprivatecolleges.org. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
^ "Legislator Record - Benson, Michelle R". Minnesota Legislators Past & Present. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
^ Shaw, Charley (February 15, 2010). "SD49 Republicans dump Johnson on second ballot". Minnesota Lawyer. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
^ "Senate Republicans put emphasis on health care in new committee structure - Minnesota Senate Republicans". Minnesota Senate Republicans. November 22, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
^ "Michelle Benson". Minnesota Senate Republicans. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
^ "Proposed bill in Minnesota Senate would allow refusal of same-sex weddings".
^ Mearhoff, Sarah. "Republicans say Minnesota governor wasting federal coronavirus aid".
^ "GOP State Sen. Michelle Benson Announces Bid For Governor". August 31, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
^ "Michelle Benson*, MN Senate 31". Elk River Star News. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
^ "Minnesota Senate District 31 – Local Decision 2016 – North Metro TV". June 2, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2019.