Michelle Benson

Michelle R. Benson (born September 11, 1968) is an American accountant, politician, and Republican member of the Minnesota Senate. She represents District 31, which includes portions of Anoka, Isanti and Sherburne counties in the northern Twin Cities metropolitan area. Benson also serves as a deputy majority leader.

Benson was raised on a farm near Murdock, Minnesota, graduating from Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunberg High School. In 1991, Benson graduated from St. Catherine University in Saint Paul with a bachelor's degree in chemistry. In 1996, Benson received an M.B.A. from the University of St. Thomas. Benson, a certified public accountant, previously worked as an auditor and consultant at Deloitte & Touche and as executive director of a non-profit cybersecurity organization.

In 2010, Benson challenged incumbent Debbie Johnson for the Republican endorsement. Benson won the endorsement and subsequently won the election. Benson was re-elected handily in 2012 and 2016. She currently serves as chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committee and is a deputy majority leader.

Benson has been a Boy Scout and Cub Scout leader, an administrator for a local Montessori school, and a member of the local chambers of commerce. Benson and her husband, Craig, live in Ham Lake with their three children.