Background
Dyrstad, Joanell M. was born on October 15, 1942 in St. James, Minnesota, United States. Daughter of Arnold A. and Ruth Sletta.
consultant lieutenant governor
Dyrstad, Joanell M. was born on October 15, 1942 in St. James, Minnesota, United States. Daughter of Arnold A. and Ruth Sletta.
Bachelor, Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minnesota, 1964. Master of Arts, Hamline University, 1996.
She served January 7, 1991 to January 3, 1995 and was elected with Governor Arne Carlson. She ran for the United States. Senate seat in 1994 but lost in the primary to Rod Grams. She served as an Independent Republican (this was the official name of the state"s Republican Party from 1975 – 1995).
Born and raised in Saint James, Minnesota, Dyrstad (née Sletta) spent most of her adult life in Red Wing, where she served as mayor from 1985 to 1991.
She is often credited with leading efforts to revitalize the historic riverfront of downtown Red Wing. Though not the first female lieutenant governor in Minnesota, she did mark a first by being the first lieutenant governor in the state, and perhaps the nation, to deliver part of a state"s State of the State address when she spoke for Governor Arne Carlson in 1991.
In 1994, Dyrstad ran an aggressive campaign in the Republican primary for United States. Senate against Congressman Rod Grams. During the campaign, she compared Grams, a former news reporter, to bumbling fictional television anchor Ted Baxter from the Minnesota-based television program The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
However, many have credited her defeat in the 1994 primary to her liberal stances on abortion and gun control, which alienated her from many conservative Republicans.
In the 2006 gubernatorial election, Dyrstad endorsed Independence Party nominee Peter Hutchinson over the more conservative Republican incumbent, Tim Pawlenty. She has been married to Marvin Dyrstad since 1965. They have two grown children, Troy and Anika.
1994 Race for United States. Senate (Republican Primary)
Rod Grams (R), 58%
Joanell Dyrstad (R), 35%
Harold Stassen (R), 5%
1990 Race for Governor/Lieutenant Governor
Carlson/Dyrstad (R), 50%
Perpich/Johnson (Doctorate), 47%.
Republican Party of Minnesota, Republican Party.
Trustee Gustavus Adolphus College, 1989-1998, University Minnesota Foundation, 1993-1999. Director corporation board Fairview Health Systems. Director Fairview Red Wing Health Services, chair, 2002.
Director Minnesota Hospital Health Care Partnership, since 1999. Member American Association of University Women (Citizen of year award 1985), League of Women Voters.
Married Marvin Dyrstad, 1965. Children: Troy, Anika.