Mary Franson

Mary Franson
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 8B district
11B (2011–2013)
Assumed office
January 4, 2011
Preceded by Mary Ellen Otremba
Personal details
Born Mary Bensoni
(1977-03-01) March 1, 1977
Saginaw, Minnesota
Political party Republican Party of Minnesota
Children Three (Helena, Karl, Kahllin)
Residence Alexandria, Minnesota
Alma mater University of Minnesota Duluth
Profession Child care provider, legislator

Mary Franson (born March 1, 1977) is a Minnesota politician and member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, she represents District 8B, which includes portions of Douglas and Otter Tail counties in the west central part of the state. She is also a licensed child care provider and a former employee of AT&T.[1][2]

Early life and education

Franson graduated from AlBrook High School in Saginaw and the University of Minnesota Duluth in Duluth, earning her B.A. in psychology and humanities. She and her family live in Alexandria.[1]

Political career

Franson was first elected to the House in 2010, succeeding Rep. Mary Ellen Otremba, who did not seek re-election.

Franson has been a vocal opponent of an executive order issued by Governor Mark Dayton allowing for the unionization of child care providers.[3]

In March 2012, Franson was featured in a YouTube video in which she shared a statement made by someone she referred to as "a friend":

"Isn't it ironic that the food stamp program, part of the Department of Agriculture, is pleased to be distributing the greatest amount of food stamps ever. Meanwhile, the Park Service, also part of the Department of Agriculture, asks us to please not feed the animals, because the animals may grow dependent and not learn to take care of themselves."

Opponents saw Franson's comments as comparing people who receive food stamps to wild animals.[4] After Star Tribune journalist Jon Tevlin tried to clarify her position, she issued a press release calling him a "voice for the dependency lobby."[5] Franson was widely criticized for her comments[6][7][8][9] and she eventually apologized to those who were offended[10] and removed the video from YouTube, though mirrors of the video remain available.[11]

On April 20, 2012 Franson objected to the opening prayer on the House floor, where the House Chaplain Rev. Francis Grady mentioned Earth Day and tied it to the Gulf oil spill. Franson tweeted that the Prayer was "offensive" and ""may as well been dedicated to "Mother Earth", coincidence? I think not. 2nd offensive prayer in a month." [12]

Franson emerged from election night on November 6, 2012, with a one-vote margin of victory, triggering an automatic recount under Minnesota law.[13][14] Due primarily to a voting irregularity, the recount left Franson with a 12-vote lead and challenger Bob Cunniff conceded on November 29.[15]

Franson handily won her third term in the 2014 election.[16]

References

  1. 1 2 "Legislator Record: Franson, Mary". Minnesota Legislators Past & Present. Retrieved 2012-11-23.
  2. ↑ "Meet Mary". Franson for State House. Retrieved 2012-11-23.
  3. ↑ "Franson says move to unionize day care providers would hurt small businesses, families". The Osakis Review. November 18, 2011. Retrieved 2012-11-23.
  4. ↑ Owens, Leigh (March 7, 2012). "Mary Franson, Minnesota State Representative, Compares Food Stamp Recipients To Wild Animals". Huffington Post.
  5. ↑ Tevlin, Jon (March 10, 2012). "Tevlin: In Rep. Franson's district, 'animals' are also known as constituents". Star Tribune.
  6. ↑ Brooks, Jennifer (March 3, 2012). "State Rep. Mary Franson apologizes for comparing food stamps to feeding the animals". Star Tribune.
  7. ↑ Vamburkar, Meenal (March 5, 2012). "GOP State Rep. Faces Backlash After Drawing Parallel Between Food Stamps And Feeding Animals". Mediaite.
  8. ↑ "Rep. Mary Franson compares food stamp recipients to animals and GOP pulls the video". Daily Kos. March 3, 2012.
  9. ↑ Rupar, Aaron (March 5, 2012). "Mary Franson, MNGOP Rep., compares food stamp recipients to wild animals". City Pages.
  10. ↑ Nord, James (March 9, 2012). "Rep. Mary Franson need not resign over 'feeding' comments, House leaders agree". MinnPost.
  11. ↑ "Food stamps= Feeding wild animals: Rep. Mary Franson Legislative Update". YouTube. Event at 2:02. Retrieved 23 November 2012. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  12. ↑ Stassen-Berger, Rachel E. (April 20, 2012). "Rep. Franson tweets that Friday's House prayer was 'offensive'". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2012-11-23.
  13. ↑ "1 Vote Separates Candidates In MN District 8B". CBS Minnesota. November 7, 2012. Retrieved 2012-11-23.
  14. ↑ "2012 Minnesota Statutes: 204C.35 Federal, State, and Judicial Races". The Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Retrieved 2012-11-23.
  15. ↑ Bierschbach, Briana (November 29, 2012). "Republican Mary Franson wins House race by 12 votes". Politics in Minnesota.
  16. ↑ http://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/2014/11/clean-sweep-for-area-gop/
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