# Mae Schunk *Minnesota educator and politician who served as lieutenant governor from 1999 to 2003* Mae A. Schunk (née Gasparac; born May 21, 1934) is a [[Minnesota]] educator and politician who held office as the 45th [[Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota]] from 1999 to 2003.[^1] She ran on [[Jesse Ventura]]'s ticket in the 1998 Minnesota gubernatorial election. Her election made her the first member of the Reform Party to win a lieutenant governorship in any state.[^1] Before taking office, Schunk had taught for 37 years.[^2] In the closing weeks of the 2000 presidential campaign, she publicly endorsed Al Gore. Ventura backed the third-party candidate John Hagelin.[^2] ## Biography Schunk attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.[^2] Her 37-year teaching career came before her service as lieutenant governor.[^2] Ventura wrote in his memoir that he had picked her to "balance out all the testosterone."[^2] As lieutenant governor, she travelled to schools across the state and often read aloud to students. The aim was to promote literacy and an interest in reading among young people.[^2] ### 2000 presidential endorsement Polling within two weeks of Election Day showed Texas Governor George W. Bush and U.S. Vice President Al Gore even in Minnesota. At that point, Schunk declared her support for Gore at a rally on Nicollet Avenue in downtown [[Minneapolis]].[^2] Ventura had committed himself to Hagelin.[^2] Ventura later told CNN that Schunk had consulted him before endorsing Gore and that he had agreed to her decision.[^2] ### Personal life Schunk lived in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, with her husband, William Schunk, who has since died. The couple have a son, Benjamin Schunk.[^2] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Mae Schunk* (revision 1378236042, retrieved 2026-10-25) — lead section: birth name and date; 45th lieutenant governor of Minnesota, 1999–2003; elected on Jesse Ventura's ticket in 1998; first Reform Party member elected lieutenant governor of any state. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mae_Schunk [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Mae Schunk*, Biography section (revision 1378236042, retrieved 2026-10-25) — 37 years as a teacher; Ventura's memoir remark; school visits; 2000 Gore endorsement and Ventura's backing of Hagelin; CNN interview; residence, family and education. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mae_Schunk