Erin Maye Quade facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Erin Maye Quade
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 56th district |
|
| Assumed office January 3, 2023 |
|
| Preceded by | Redistricted |
| Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 57A district |
|
| In office January 3, 2019 – January 7, 2019 |
|
| Preceded by | Tara Mack |
| Succeeded by | Robert Bierman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 12, 1986 Apple Valley, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Alyse Maye Quade |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | University of St. Thomas (BA) |
Erin Maye Quade (born March 12, 1986) is an American politician from Minnesota. She is a member of the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL). In 2022, she was elected to the Minnesota Senate. When she started her term in 2023, she became one of the first three Black women to serve in the Minnesota Senate.
Before becoming a state senator, Maye Quade worked for U.S. Representative Keith Ellison. She also served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2017 to 2019. In 2018, she ran for lieutenant governor of Minnesota. She was the running mate for Erin Murphy. The DFL party supported their team. This made Maye Quade the first LGBTQ person to be supported by a major Minnesota political party for such a high office.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Erin Maye Quade is biracial. Her mother is white and her father is Black. She grew up following the Lutheran faith. She finished high school at Eastview High School in Apple Valley, Minnesota, in 2004.
In 2008, she graduated from the University of St. Thomas in Saint Paul. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Her studies focused on political science and justice and peace. While in college, she started working to support social justice. She helped students with disabilities and other important causes.
Her Career in Politics
After college, Maye Quade became a community organizer. This means she helped people in communities work together for change. She also worked for U.S. Representative Keith Ellison. He encouraged her to run for public office.
In 2024, Maye Quade was chosen for a special fellowship. It was called the Future Caucus 2025-2026 Innovation Fellowship. This recognized her important work in healthcare policy. She worked on these policies as a member of the Minnesota legislature.
Working in the Minnesota House
In 2016, Maye Quade ran for a seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives. She wanted to represent District 57A. She won the election against Ali Jimenez-Hopper. She received 52% of the votes. Her win was one of only two times a House seat changed from Republican to DFL that year. She was also the third Black woman to serve in the Minnesota House.
In 2017, Maye Quade spoke out about inappropriate actions by other state lawmakers. Both lawmakers later resigned from their positions. After a school shooting, she led a 24-hour sit-in at the Minnesota House. This was to protest the lack of action on safety laws about guns.
Running for Lieutenant Governor
In June 2018, Erin Murphy chose Maye Quade as her running mate. Murphy was running for Governor of Minnesota. Maye Quade was officially supported by the DFL party on June 3, 2018. This made her the first LGBTQ person to be supported by a major Minnesota political party for lieutenant governor. She was also one of the youngest candidates at 32 years old.
Maye Quade and Murphy did not win the DFL primary election. They lost to Tim Walz and Peggy Flanagan in August 2018.
Serving in the Minnesota Senate
In October 2021, Maye Quade announced she would run for the Minnesota Senate. She wanted to win the seat held by Greg Clausen.
On April 23, 2022, Maye Quade gave a campaign speech. This happened at the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party convention. She was experiencing labor pains before childbirth. She did not get the nomination that day. She paused her campaign and gave birth to her daughter, Harriet, early the next morning. In May, Maye Quade decided to re-enter the race.
Her victory in the election was very important. She and Clare Oumou Verbeten became the first openly LGBTQ women. They were also the first Black women elected to the Minnesota Senate.
Personal Life
Erin Maye Quade is openly lesbian. She is married to Alyse Maye Quade. They have one child. Alyse is the Political Director for the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party. She also used to work for Everytown for Gun Safety.
