# Michael McGrath (American politician) *American businessman and politician, elected Minnesota State Treasurer in 1986 and in office until 1999.* Michael Alan McGrath (October 27, 1942 – January 27, 2021) was a businessman and politician who held the office of [[Minnesota State Treasurer]] from his first election in 1986 until 1999.[^1] His Wikipedia biography identifies him as the first openly gay state officer in [[Minnesota]].[^1] McGrath won the office by defeating the DFL incumbent in the 1986 primary and general elections. Voters returned him to office in 1990 and 1994.[^1] The office itself was abolished by 1998 Minnesota Amendment 2. On that same 1998 ballot, his longtime assistant, Carol Johnson, was elected its final holder.[^1] ## Life and career Born in [[Trenton]], New Jersey, McGrath finished high school in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, in 1961. After serving in the United States Air Force, he married Marsha Palmer, also of New Smyrna Beach, and studied at Daytona Beach Community College. In 1969 he received a bachelor's degree in American Studies from Stetson University.[^1] From 1972 to 1984 McGrath worked for International Dairy Queen, Inc., in Bloomington, Minnesota, where he rose to the rank of vice president. He then consulted for businesses, drove a taxi, and took part in grassroots politics.[^1] In 1986 McGrath beat the DFL incumbent for State Treasurer in both the primary and the general election. He won re-election in 1990 and again in 1994 and remained in office until 1999. He also headed the National Association of State Treasurers as its president.[^1] The 1998 ballot carried 1998 Minnesota Amendment 2, which abolished the treasurer's office. Voters passed it, and on the same ballot elected Carol Johnson, who had long been McGrath's assistant, as the last State Treasurer of Minnesota.[^1] McGrath and Marsha McGrath had three children and divorced in 2002. He remarried in 2013, after marriage equality became law in Minnesota. He died on January 27, 2021, aged 78.[^1] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - Michael Alan McGrath, Minnesota State Treasurer, elected 1986 and serving until 1999; president of the National Association of State Treasurers.[^1] ### When - Born October 27, 1942; died January 27, 2021.[^1] - Elected State Treasurer in 1986; re-elected in 1990 and 1994; served until 1999.[^1] - 1998: Minnesota Amendment 2 abolished the office; Carol Johnson was elected final State Treasurer on the same ballot.[^1] ### Where - Trenton, New Jersey (birth); New Smyrna Beach, Florida (high school, 1961); Bloomington, Minnesota (International Dairy Queen, Inc., 1972–1984).[^1] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Michael McGrath (American politician)*, revision 1375312041 (retrieved 2026-10-25) — birth, education, employment, election in 1986 and re-election in 1990 and 1994, tenure to 1999, the 1998 abolition of the office by Amendment 2, and death. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_McGrath_(American_politician)>