# Peggy Bennett *Minnesota state legislator (Republican) representing District 23A* Peggy Bennett (born July 3, 1958) is a member of the [[Republican Party of Minnesota]] who has held a seat in the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]] since 2015.[^1] Her District 23A lies in southern [[Minnesota]]. It takes in the city of Albert Lea along with portions of Faribault, Freeborn, Steele and Waseca Counties.[^1] Bennett first won her seat in the 2014 election and has won each biennial election since.[^1] Before her legislative career she taught first grade in the Albert Lea public schools for 33 years.[^2] ## Early life, education, and career Bennett was raised in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and finished high school at Mound Westonka High School in Mound.[^2] She holds a Bachelor of Arts in education from Crown College in St. Bonifacius. In 1981 she completed a Master of Arts in special education at [[St. Cloud State University]].[^2] Her first-grade teaching career in Albert Lea spanned 33 years before she entered politics.[^2] ## Minnesota House of Representatives In the 2014 race Bennett unseated Shannon Savick, a DFL incumbent who had served one term. She campaigned against tax increases enacted by Savick and the Democrats.[^3] In the 2016 Republican presidential primary she was one of about two dozen state legislators who endorsed Florida Senator Marco Rubio.[^3] Bennett is the minority lead on the Education Policy Committee. She is also a member of the Education Finance Committee and the Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Committee.[^3] In 2015–16 she was vice chair of the Education Innovation Policy Committee. From 2019 to 2022 she served as an assistant minority leader.[^3] ### Education Bennett has advocated giving local authorities a larger role in education decisions.[^4] She opposed proposals for universal free school meals, offered without regard to family income, and described them as a "shotgun approach".[^4] During workforce shortages linked to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], she backed a bill to shorten the licensing process for substitute teachers. She argued that DFL proposals on the issue were insufficient.[^4] She has spoken in opposition to bills aimed at recruiting more teachers of color.[^4] ### Other political positions In 2018 Bennett was the author of a "sibling bill of rights," which passed without opposition. The measure is meant to keep siblings in foster care from being separated.[^5] She has backed tougher penalties for distracted driving and for protesters who block freeways. She has opposed raising the gas tax to fund road and bridge work.[^5] The Wikipedia article states that she has been in contact and worked directly with the "Child Protection League," a Minnesota group the article describes as anti-LGBTQ.[^5] By her own statement, she carries a handgun at the State Capitol.[^5] ## Personal life Bennett is unmarried and lives in Albert Lea.[^6] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Peggy Bennett* (revision 1365698347, retrieved 26 October 2026), lead section — birth date, party, House service since 2015, District 23A and its composition. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peggy_Bennett [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Peggy Bennett* (revision 1365698347, retrieved 26 October 2026), "Early life, education, and career" — upbringing, schooling, degrees, 33 years of teaching. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peggy_Bennett [^3]: Wikipedia contributors, *Peggy Bennett* (revision 1365698347, retrieved 26 October 2026), "Minnesota House of Representatives" — 2014 election, 2016 endorsement, committee and leadership posts. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peggy_Bennett [^4]: Wikipedia contributors, *Peggy Bennett* (revision 1365698347, retrieved 26 October 2026), "Education" — positions on local control, school meals, substitute licensing, teacher recruitment. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peggy_Bennett [^5]: Wikipedia contributors, *Peggy Bennett* (revision 1365698347, retrieved 26 October 2026), "Other political positions" — 2018 sibling bill of rights, penalty and tax positions, Child Protection League contact, handgun statement. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peggy_Bennett [^6]: Wikipedia contributors, *Peggy Bennett* (revision 1365698347, retrieved 26 October 2026), "Personal life" — marital status and residence. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peggy_Bennett