Preceded by Fran Bradley Role Politician Name Kim Norton | Children 4 | |
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Born September 22, 1957 (age 67) Miami Beach (military base), Florida ( 1957-09-22 ) Political party Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party Occupation Nonprofit district manager, Legislator Religion LutheranUnitarian Universalist Party Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party Residence Rochester, Minnesota, United States | ||
Alma mater University of Nebraska | ||
Informational interview with Rep. Kim Norton (DFL-25B)
Kim Norton (born September 22, 1957) is a Minnesota politician and former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), she represented District 25B, which was composed entirely of the northern portion of the city of Rochester in Olmsted County; located in the southeastern part of the state.
Contents
- Informational interview with Rep Kim Norton DFL 25B
- Early life education and career
- Political career
- Personal life
- References
Early life, education, and career
Norton was born in Miami Beach, Florida at a military base. She earned a B.S. in Human Development and Special Education, specializing in Early Childhood Education, at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. She also attended graduate school there, studying Deaf Education, Behavioral Impairments and Curriculum.
Norton served on several committees in the Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning from 1998–2003 and, upon returning to Rochester, served on the Rochester School Board (as clerk in 2001, chair in 2005, and treasurer in 2006) prior to being elected to the House.
Political career
Norton first ran against incumbent Rep. Fran Bradley in 2004, an election she lost by 311 votes. She ran again in 2006, defeating Republican challenger Rich Decker by just 99 votes. In 2008, she easily won re-election against Republican challenger Jason Johnson. In 2010, she was re-elected over Republican challenger Mike Rolih.
Norton stated in September 2015 that she would not seek re-election in the 2016 election saying "I've made the decision, after a couple of years of consideration, that it's time for me to retire, so I am not going to run for re-election in 2016. It makes me a little sad, I will say, but at the same time it feels like the right thing to do and the right time to do it."
Personal life
Norton has four children: Chris, Cody, Katie, and Kelsey.