Tara Mack

Tara Mack
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 57A district
37A (2009–2013)
In office
January 6, 2009 – January 2, 2017
Preceded by Shelley Madore
Succeeded by Erin Maye Quade
Personal details
Born (1983-06-26) June 26, 1983
Burnsville, Minnesota
Political party Republican Party of Minnesota
Spouse(s) Justin
Children 2
Alma mater University of Minnesota

Tara Kay Mack (née Tara Klongerbo; born June 26, 1983) is a Minnesota politician and former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, she represented District 57A, which included portions of the cities of Apple Valley and Lakeville in Dakota County, which is in the southeastern part of the Twin Cities metropolitan area.[1]

Early life, education, and career

Mack graduated from Apple Valley High School in Apple Valley in 2002, then went on to the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, earning a bachelor's degree in Political Science/Global Studies.[2][3] During college, she served as an intern for former Rep. Steve Sviggum, and was also a page for the House Ways and Means Committee.

Minnesota House of Representatives

Mack was first elected in 2008 and was re-elected in 2010, 2012, and 2014. She worked for the Minnesota House as a legislative assistant to Rep. Matt Dean and Rep. Joe Hoppe prior to her election.[1]

2015 public park incident

On August 25, 2015, a park ranger cited Mack for "nuisance" for allegedly "making out" with fellow Minnesota State Representative Tim Kelly in Lebanon Hills Regional Park.[4][5] According to the police report, her pants were "unzipped and pulled down".[6] Mack and Kelly initially claimed the report was "completely false".[7] On September 14, 2015, Mack apologized for the accusation of lying directed towards the park ranger and resigned from the House Ethics Committee.[8][9]

In April 2016, she announced she will not seek another term of office.[10][11]

Personal life

Mack is a member of the Burnsville YMCA Board, a former member of the Apple Valley Rotary, and both the Apple Valley and Burnsville chambers of commerce.[12][13] She was named a 2014 Aspen Institute Rodel Fellow.[14] Her husband, Justin Mack, is a pastor and they have two children.[15]

References

  1. 1 2 "Minnesota Legislators Past & Present - Legislator Record - Mack, Tara Kay". Leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved September 27, 2010.
  2. ↑ "Mack, Tara Kay". www.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  3. ↑ "APPLE VALLEY: Tara Mack seeks endorsement for House 37A seat". archives.ecmpublishers.info. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  4. ↑ Tad Johnson (September 11, 2015). "Emails, deputy’s full report released in Mack-Kelly case". Sun This Week. ECM Publishers. New information in the public nuisance case involving state Reps. Tara Mack, R-Apple Valley...
  5. ↑ "Caught with pants down, lawmakers deny everything, blame park ranger". Detroit Lakes Online. Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. September 2, 2015. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Lawmakers accused of 'making out' in Eagan park, strongly deny accusations". TwinCities.com. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Citation: two lawmakers caught 'making out' in park; lawmakers: 'completely false' and a 'lie' - The Political Animal". TwinCities.com. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  8. ↑ Pugmire, Tim (September 14, 2015). "‘Making out’ lawmakers apologize, quit ethics panel". Minnesota Public Radio News. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  9. ↑ Jacobson, Anne (September 17, 2015). "Lawmakers apologize, leave ethics panel". Red Wing Republican Eagle. Red Wing, Minnesota. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  10. ↑ "2nd Minnesota GOP lawmaker cited in makeout session retiring". MPR News. Minnesota Public Radio. April 2, 2016.
  11. ↑ Montgomery, David (April 2, 2016). "Legislator involved in 'making out' scandal won't seek re-election". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Project Vote Smart - Representative Tara Mack - Biography". Votesmart.org. Retrieved September 27, 2010.
  13. ↑ "Minnesota State representative |". Tara Mack. Retrieved September 27, 2010.
  14. ↑ "Hodges begins national leadership program in Colorado". MinnPost. January 30, 2015. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  15. ↑ Mack, Tara. Speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Washington, DC, March 7, 2014.
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