EMILY's List

Margaret Anderson Kelliher

Governor, Minnesota

A strong and practiced leader
A respected rising star
A chance to elect Minnesota's first woman governor

About Margaret Anderson Kelliher

A skilled legislator with experience

Unafraid to stand her ground, Margaret Anderson Kelliher has risen quickly through the ranks since her election to the state legislature in 1998 -- going from "Freshman Legislator of the Year" during her first term to her election as Speaker of the House in 2006. Known for her pragmatic leadership and skillful coalition-building, Kelliher was described by the Minneapolis Star Tribune as the "calm inside the storm" of the Minnesota statehouse. A lifelong Minnesotan, Kelliher is exactly the experienced, committed leader needed in the state's top executive position.

A leading voice for women's rights

As speaker, Kelliher has been the House's leading voice on choice and women's rights, blocking anti-choice legislation, earning perfect ratings from Planned Parenthood, and co-sponsoring legislation to aid and protect victims of sexual assault. She has also overseen major legislative efforts to improve Minnesotan's lives -- strengthening renewable energy standards, extending insurance coverage to 40,000 uninsured children, and investing in job creation during challenging economic times. In addition to her legislative know-how, Kelliher brings an understanding of the state's diverse rural and urban communities to the race.

A challenging and crowded race

Minnesota women have been political trailblazers -- and Kelliher is poised to become another "first" if she wins the race for governor. But since Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced his intention not to seek reelection in 2010, the race has drawn high profile candidates from both parties, including 11 Democrats. And with Minnesota's unique caucusing process already underway, Kelliher is counting on EMILY's List members' support to break away from the pack and win a seat Democrats haven't won in over 25 years. EMILY's List helped elect the state's first woman U.S. senator -- Sen. Amy Klobuchar -- in 2006, and now we have the opportunity to make history again and send Kelliher to the governor's mansion.

February 3, 2010

Kelliher emerges as a frontrunner in MN-Gov straw poll

Read My Lipstick: The EMILY's List Blog

Margaret Anderson Kelliher is already starting to break away from the pack.

Margaret, running to fill the open seat of outgoing MInnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R), emerged as one of the frontrunners in yesterday's straw poll of Democratic caucus participants. The straw poll is a critical first step in the state's unique caucusing process, identifying the strongest candidates in an early nonbinding vote. In last night's field of 11 potential Democratic candidates, Margaret and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak had the most straw poll votes.

At the helm: Women lead the way on Kelliher campaign

Read My Lipstick: The EMILY's List Blog

The women at the helm of Margaret’s campaign certainly have the experience and dedication Margaret’s going to need to win a competitive primary and tough general election to take back the governor’s seat for Democrats. Learn more about them here.

Kelliher faces difficult dual role as House speaker, candidate

Politics in Minnesota

As state lawmakers ready themselves for what promises to be a contentious and trying legislative session at the Capitol next week, Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher, DFL-Minneapolis, finds herself in an unusually delicate position.

By word and by deed, Kelliher has branded herself a conciliator and consensus-builder, a style purposely struck in deft contrast to the intransigence of Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Pawlenty’s acid-tongued nemesis, Senate Majority Leader Larry Pogemiller, DFL-Minneapolis.

Prepared and paid for by Margaret for Governor, PO Box 14147, St. Paul, MN 55114

Margaret Anderson Kelliher's Video

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Margaret Anderson Kelliher discusses the biggest threat to Minnesota
Minnesota Speaker of the House Margaret Anderson Kelliher discusses what she feels the biggest threat to Minnesota is -- and how she'll fix it as governor.