Mary Franson
| Mary Franson | |
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| Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 8B district 11B (2011–2013) |
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Assumed office January 4, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Mary Ellen Otremba |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Mary Bensoni March 1, 1977 Saginaw, Minnesota |
| Political party | Republican Party of Minnesota |
| Children | Three (Helena, Karl, Kahllin) |
| Residence | Alexandria, Minnesota |
| Alma mater | University of Minnesota Duluth |
| Profession | Child care provider, legislator |
Mary Franson (born March 1, 1977) is a Minnesota politician and member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, she represents District 8B, which includes portions of Douglas and Otter Tail counties in the west central part of the state. She is also a licensed child care provider and a former employee of AT&T.
Franson graduated from AlBrook High School in Saginaw and the University of Minnesota Duluth in Duluth, earning her B.A. in psychology and humanities. She and her family live in Alexandria.
Franson was first elected to the House in 2010, succeeding Rep. Mary Ellen Otremba, who did not seek re-election.
Franson has been a vocal opponent of an executive order issued by Governor Mark Dayton allowing for the unionization of child care providers.
In March 2012, Franson was featured in a YouTube video in which she shared a statement made by someone she referred to as "a friend":
"Isn't it ironic that the food stamp program, part of the Department of Agriculture, is pleased to be distributing the greatest amount of food stamps ever. Meanwhile, the Park Service, also part of the Department of Agriculture, asks us to please not feed the animals, because the animals may grow dependent and not learn to take care of themselves."
Opponents saw Franson's comments as comparing people who receive food stamps to wild animals. After Star Tribune journalist Jon Tevlin tried to clarify her position, she issued a press release calling him a "voice for the dependency lobby." Franson was widely criticized for her comments and she eventually apologized to those who were offended and removed the video from YouTube, though mirrors of the video remain available.
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