Susan Allen

This article is about Susan Allen, politician. For Susan Allen, harpist, see Susan Allen (musician).
Susan Allen
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 62B district
61B (2012–2013)
Assumed office
January 19, 2012
Preceded by Jeff Hayden
Personal details
Born (1963-03-27) March 27, 1963
Uintah and Ouray Indian Reservation, Utah
Political party Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
Domestic partner Amber Gianera
Children 1
Residence Minneapolis, Minnesota
Alma mater Augsburg College
University of New Mexico Law School
William Mitchell College of Law
Occupation Attorney
Religion Episcopal

Susan Allen (born March 27, 1963) is a Minnesota politician and member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), she represents District 62B, a southside district encompassing the Powderhorn and Bryant neighborhoods of Minneapolis.[1][2] She is the first Native American woman to serve in the Minnesota Legislature and the first openly lesbian Native American to win election to a state legislature.[3][4][5]

Early life, education, and career

The daughter of an Episcopal priest, Allen graduated from Augsburg College in Minneapolis in 1992. She later earned a J.D. from the University of New Mexico Law School (1995) and an LL.M. from William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul (1999). She became a practicing attorney in 1997 and a partner of her law firm in 2004.

Minnesota House of Representatives

Allen is one of three openly gay members, alongside DFLers Representative Karen Clark and Senator Scott Dibble, in the Minnesota Legislature.

Elections

When state representative Jeff Hayden was elected to the Minnesota Senate in October 2011, he vacated his seat in the House of Representatives. Allen was one of four DFLers to put themselves forward for the seat and, at the DFL nominating convention held on November 12, she received the party's endorsement on the third ballot.[6] She nevertheless faced a primary election on December 6, facing three opponents, two of whom had suspended their campaigns after losing at the convention. Allen won the nomination handily, taking over 82% of the vote in the primary.[7] In the general election held on January 10, 2012, she faced only one opponent, who ran under the "Respect" label, beating him 56–43%.[8]

She was re-elected in the 2012 general election.

Personal life

As an attorney, Allen specializes in serving Indian tribes, helping them draft tribal laws in a wide range of areas.[9] She is Lakota and a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.[10]

References

  1. ↑ Who needs New Hampshire? Minneapolis election winners: Susan Allen and Kari Dziedzic
  2. ↑ "Kari Dziedzic wins DFL nod for Senate race". Star Tribune. December 6, 2011. In the Powderhorn and Bryant neighborhoods, voters chose attorney Susan Allen for the DFL nomination.
  3. ↑ "Susan Allen wins DFL endorsement for Hayden's House seat". Politics in Minnesota. November 14, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Susan Allen for Minnesota House District 61B: Issues". I am a passionate supporter of marriage equality. As a lesbian, I feel this inequality every day.
  5. ↑ Kickass Openly Gay Native American Woman Elected to State Legislature
  6. ↑ "DFL Primary Election Tuesday, Dec. 6". Southside Pride.
  7. ↑ "Minnesota Secretary of State: State Representative District 61B Special Primary Election Results".
  8. ↑ "Minnesota Secretary of State: State Senate District 59 and Representative District 61B Special Election".
  9. ↑ "Susan Allen for Minnesota House District 61B: Experience".
  10. ↑ Shah, Allie (April 13, 2012). "Rep. Susan Allen offers a unique legislative voice". Star Tribune. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
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