Erin Maye Quade facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Erin Maye Quade
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| Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 56th district |
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| Assumed office January 3, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | redrawn district |
| Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 57A district |
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| In office January 3, 2017 – January 7, 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Tara Mack |
| Succeeded by | Robert Bierman |
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| Born | March 12, 1986 |
| Political party | Democratic (DFL) |
| Spouse | Alyse Maye Quade |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | University of St. Thomas (B.A.) |
Erin Maye Quade, born on March 12, 1986, is a politician from Minnesota. She is part 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 this, she 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. She was the running mate for Erin Murphy. The DFL party supported their team. This made Maye Quade the first openly gay person to be supported by a major political party in Minnesota.
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Early Life and Education
Erin Maye Quade is biracial, meaning she has parents from different racial backgrounds. She grew up in Apple Valley, Minnesota. In 2004, she graduated from Eastview High School.
After high school, she went to the University of St. Thomas. This university is located in Saint Paul. In 2008, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. She studied political science and also justice and peace studies.
Career Beginnings
After finishing college, Maye Quade started working as a community organizer. This means she helped people in communities work together to solve problems. She also worked for U.S. Representative Keith Ellison. He was a member of the U.S. Congress. He encouraged her to consider running for public office herself.
Serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives
In 2016, Erin Maye Quade decided to run for a seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives. She ran for the District 57A seat. During her campaign, there were reports of people trying to bother her campaign staff. Local neighborhood watch groups even helped to keep an eye on things.
She won the election against her opponent, Ali Jimenez-Hopper. Maye Quade received 52% of the votes. Her win was important because it was one of only two House seats that changed from Republican to DFL that year. She also became the third Black woman to serve in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
While in office, she worked on important issues. After a school shooting, she led a 24-hour sit-in at the Minnesota House. This was to protest the lack of action on gun control laws.
Running for Lieutenant Governor
In June 2018, Erin Maye Quade decided to run for Lieutenant Governor. She joined Erin Murphy, who was running for Governor. Maye Quade was chosen as Murphy's running mate.
The DFL party officially supported their campaign. This happened at the Minnesota DFL convention on June 3, 2018. At 32 years old, Maye Quade was one of the youngest people to be endorsed for such a high office. She was also the first openly gay person to be supported by a major political party in Minnesota. However, Maye Quade and Murphy did not win the DFL primary election. U.S. Representative Tim Walz and State Representative Peggy Flanagan won instead.
Campaigning for the Minnesota State Senate
In October 2021, Erin Maye Quade announced she would run for the Minnesota Senate. She was seeking the seat held by Greg Clausen.
On April 23, 2022, Maye Quade gave a speech at the Minnesota DFL convention. She was experiencing uterine contractions at the time, as she was about to give birth. She did not win the nomination at that convention. She then paused her campaign and gave birth to her daughter, Harriet, early the next morning.
In May, Maye Quade decided to re-enter the race. She won the election. With her win, she and Clare Oumou Verbeten became the first openly gay women and first Black women elected to the Minnesota State Senate.
Personal Life
Erin Maye Quade is openly gay. She is also a Lutheran. Her wife, Alyse, is involved in politics too. Alyse is the Political Director for the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party. She also used to work for an organization called Everytown for Gun Safety.
Images for kids
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Erin Maye Quade
