Lyle Koenen

Lyle J. Koenen (born June 16, 1956) is a Minnesota politician and former member of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), he represented District 17, which included portions of Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Renville, and Swift counties in the southwestern part of the state.^[1]

Lyle Koenen
Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 17th district 20th (2012–2013)
In office April 18, 2012 – January 2, 2017
Preceded by	Gary Kubly
Succeeded by	Andrew Lang
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 20B district
In office January 7, 2003 – April 17, 2012
Preceded by	Gary Kubly (District 15B)
Succeeded by	Andrew Falk (District 17A)
Personal details
Born	(1956-06-16) June 16, 1956 (age 69) Willmar, Minnesota, U.S.
Political party	Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
Spouse	Sandy
Children	4
Alma mater	Willmar Technical College

Early life, education, and career

Koenen attended Maynard High School in Maynard, then Willmar Technical College in Willmar, earning his A.A. in agriculture. He has worked as a dairy farmer and was also a milk truck and school bus driver. He has co-chaired the Chippewa County National Farmers Union since 1996.^[1][2]

Minnesota House of Representatives

Koenen was first elected in 2002, and was reelected four times. He chaired the House Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs subcommittee for the Veterans Affairs Division.^[3] On May 21, 2011, he was one of two DFL representatives who voted with a majority of Republicans to send a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage to a 2012 referendum.^[4]

Minnesota Senate

Koenen was elected to the Senate in a special election in 2012 to fill the seat left vacant after the death of Gary Kubly. He was sworn in on April 18, 2012.^[5] Koenen ran for reelection to the newly drawn District 17 in 2012, defeating incumbent Willmar Republican Joseph Gimse.^[6] He lost reelection to Republican Andrew Lang.