# Joanell Dyrstad *American politician; 43rd lieutenant governor of Minnesota (1991–1995)* Joanell M. Dyrstad (born October 15, 1942) is a politician from [[Minnesota]] who was the state's 43rd [[Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota|lieutenant governor]], holding the office from January 7, 1991, to January 3, 1995, after winning election on a ticket with Governor [[Arne Carlson]].[^1] The Carlson/Dyrstad ticket, listed as Republican, took 50 percent in 1990 against 47 percent for the Democratic ticket of Perpich and Johnson.[^2] Before statewide office she was mayor of Red Wing from 1985 to 1991, in the city where she lived for most of her adult life.[^1] The Wikipedia account states that she is often credited with leading the revival of Red Wing's historic downtown riverfront.[^1] In 1994 Dyrstad sought the Independent Republican nomination for U.S. Senate and was defeated in the primary by Congressman Rod Grams.[^1] The listed primary result is Grams 58 percent, Dyrstad 35 percent and [[Harold Stassen]] 5 percent.[^2] ## Biography Dyrstad, whose birth surname was Sletta, grew up in St. James, Minnesota, where she was also born.[^1] With her husband, Marvin, she ran a drugstore in Red Wing.[^1] During her time as mayor she held seats on the board of the local United Way chapter and on the board of the Minnesota League of Cities.[^1] Other women had held the lieutenant governorship before her.[^1] In 1991, speaking on behalf of Governor Carlson, she delivered part of a State of the State address; the Wikipedia account describes her as the first lieutenant governor in Minnesota, and possibly in the United States, to do so.[^1] The Wikipedia account characterizes her 1994 Senate primary campaign against Grams as aggressive.[^1] During that campaign she likened Grams, who had worked as a news reporter, to Ted Baxter, the fictional television anchor on *The Mary Tyler Moore Show*, a program set in Minnesota.[^1] In the 2006 election for [[Governor of Minnesota|governor]], Dyrstad backed Peter Hutchinson, the Independence Party nominee, rather than the Republican incumbent, [[Tim Pawlenty]], whom the Wikipedia account describes as the more conservative candidate.[^1] The Dyrstads have two children and four grandchildren.[^1] ## Electoral history - 1990 election for governor and lieutenant governor: Carlson/Dyrstad (R), 50%; Perpich/Johnson (D), 47%.[^2] - 1994 U.S. Senate Republican primary: Rod Grams (R), 58%; Joanell Dyrstad (R), 35%; Harold Stassen (R), 5%.[^2] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - Joanell M. Dyrstad, née Sletta, born October 15, 1942.[^1] ### What - 43rd lieutenant governor of Minnesota, 1991–1995.[^1] - Mayor of Red Wing, Minnesota, 1985–1991.[^1] ### When - Took office as lieutenant governor January 7, 1991; left office January 3, 1995.[^1] - Delivered part of the 1991 State of the State address for Governor Carlson.[^1] - Lost the 1994 U.S. Senate primary to Rod Grams.[^2] - Endorsed Peter Hutchinson in the 2006 gubernatorial election.[^1] ### Where - Born and raised in St. James, Minnesota; lived most of her adult life in Red Wing, Minnesota.[^1] ### How many - 1990 general election: 50% for the Carlson/Dyrstad ticket.[^2] - 1994 Senate primary: 35% for Dyrstad.[^2] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Joanell Dyrstad* (revision 1364476505, retrieved 2026-10-25) — biographical account: birth, office dates, Red Wing mayoralty, 1991 State of the State remarks, 1994 primary campaign, 2006 endorsement. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joanell_Dyrstad [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Joanell Dyrstad*, "Electoral history" section (revision 1364476505, retrieved 2026-10-25) — 1990 general election and 1994 Senate primary percentages as listed. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joanell_Dyrstad