Kim Norton

Kim Norton (born September 22, 1957) is an American politician serving as the mayor of Rochester, Minnesota. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously represented District 25B, which consists mostly of the northern portion of the city of Rochester, in the Minnesota House of Representatives.^[1] She was elected to become the first female mayor of Rochester in 2018 and reelected in 2022.^[2]

Kim Norton
Norton in 2021
45th Mayor of Rochester
Incumbent
Assumed office January 1, 2019
Preceded by	Ardell Brede
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
In office January 3, 2007 – January 2, 2017
Preceded by	Fran Bradley
Succeeded by	Duane Sauke
Constituency	District 25B (2013–2017) District 29B (2007–2013)
Personal details
Born	(1957-09-22) September 22, 1957 (age 67) Miami Beach, Florida
Political party	Democratic (DFL)
Children	4
Alma mater	University of Nebraska (BS) University of Minnesota (MA)

Early life, education, and career

Norton was born in Miami Beach, Florida at a military base. She earned a B.S. in Human Development and Special Education, specializing in Early Childhood Education, from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. She also attended graduate school there, studying Deaf Education, Behavioral Impairments and Curriculum.^[1]

Norton served on several committees in the Minnesota Department of Children, Families and Learning from 1998–2003 and, upon returning to Rochester, served on the Rochester School Board (as clerk in 2001, chair in 2005, and treasurer in 2006) prior to being elected to the House.

Political career

Norton being interviewed for All Things Considered

Norton first ran against incumbent Rep. Fran Bradley in 2004, an election she lost by 311 votes. She ran again in 2006, defeating Republican challenger Rich Decker by just 99 votes. In 2008, she easily won re-election against Republican challenger Jason Johnson.^[3] In 2010, she was re-elected over Republican challenger Mike Rolih.^[4]

Norton stated in September 2015 that she would not seek re-election in the 2016 election^[5] saying "I've made the decision, after a couple of years of consideration, that it's time for me to retire, so I am not going to run for re-election in 2016. It makes me a little sad, I will say, but at the same time it feels like the right thing to do and the right time to do it."^[6]

Norton said that following her announcement not to run for reelection to the Minnesota House of Representatives that she was "fed-up" with partisan politics, and since leaving the House, she has worked to stay out of party politics.^[7] During her tenure as a state representative, she was widely viewed as a moderate, with a history of going against the DFL on some issues.^[8]

Election history

2018 Rochester Mayoral Election^[9]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Nonpartisan	Kim Norton	31810	67.73
	Nonpartisan	Charlie O'Connell	14968	31.80	−
	N/A	Write-In	220	0.47	−

2014 Minnesota State Representative- House 25B^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic (DFL)	Kim Norton (Incumbent)	9844	94.91
	N/A	Write-In	528	5.09

2012 Minnesota State Representative- House 25B^[10]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic (DFL)	Kim Norton (Incumbent)	11869	57.53
	Republican	Melissa Valeriano	8725	42.29	−

2010 Minnesota State Representative- House 29B^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic (DFL)	Kim Norton (Incumbent)	7820	53.34
	Republican	Mike Rolih	6829	46.58	−

2008 Minnesota State Representative- House 29B^[10]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic (DFL)	Kim Norton	12142	61.50	+11.27
	Republican	Jason Johnson	7553	38.26	−

2006 Minnesota State Representative- House 29B^[11]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic (DFL)	Kim Norton	7761	50.23	+1.10
	Republican	Rich Decker	7662	49.59	−

2004 Minnesota State Representative- House 29B^[12]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic (DFL)	Kim Norton	9353	49.13	−
	Republican	Fran Bradley	9664	50.77	−16.87

Personal life

Norton has four children.^[1]

See also

• List of mayors of Rochester, Minnesota

References

1. "Minnesota Legislators Past & Present - Legislator Record - Norton, Kim". Leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
2. Richert, Catharine (January 7, 2019). "Newly elected Rochester politicians promise more transparency". Minnesota Public Radio.
3. "Election Reporting". Archived from the original on 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
4. "Election Reporting". Archived from the original on 2012-03-13. Retrieved 2010-11-11.
5. "» DFL Rep. Norton will not run for re-election".
6. Carlson, Heather J. (10 September 2015). "Norton won't seek re-election, mulls mayoral bid". PostBulletin.com.
7. "Party recommendations enter nonpartisan races". Post-Bulletin. 25 October 2018. Retrieved 2018-11-09.
8. "Norton's retirement decision speaks volumes". Post-Bulletin. 12 September 2015. Retrieved 2018-11-09.
9. "Election Reporting". Electionresults.sos.state.mn.us. Retrieved 2018-11-09.
10. "Election Reporting". Electionresults.sos.state.mn.us. Archived from the original on 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
11. "Election Reporting". Electionresults.sos.state.mn.us. Archived from the original on 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
12. "Election Reporting". Electionresults.sos.state.mn.us. 2004-12-22. Archived from the original on 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2010-07-20.

External links

• Kim Norton at Minnesota Legislators Past & Present
• Project Votesmart Profile: Rep. Kim Norton

Political offices
Preceded by Ardell Brede	Mayor of Rochester, Minnesota 2019–present	Incumbent