The state treasurer of Minnesota was a constitutional officer in the executive branch of the U.S. state of Minnesota. Twenty-six individuals occupied the office of state treasurer from 1858 until the office's abolition in 2003. The final state treasurer was Carol C. Johnson, a DFLer.
Election and term of office The state treasurer was elected by the people on Election Day in November, and took office on the first Monday of the next January. There was no limit to the number of terms a state treasurer may hold. To be elected state treasurer, a person must have been a qualified voter, permanently resident in the state of Minnesota at least 30 days prior to the election, and at least 21 years of age.
In the event of a vacancy in the office of the state treasurer, the governor was empowered to appoint a successor to serve the balance of the term. The state treasurer could also be recalled by the voters or removed from office through an impeachment trial.
Beginning with the 1962 election, the term of the office increased from two to four years.
Powers and duties Throughout the office's existence, the state treasurer served as the banker of state government. This function entailed managing and accounting for the state's cash flows, coordinating banking services for state agencies, collecting receipts, issuing payments, reconciling state bank accounts, and servicing the state debt. Prior to 1983, the state treasurer also administered unclaimed property.
History The 1998 Minnesota Amendment 2 abolished the position of state treasurer, effective January 6, 2003. The functions of the office were transferred to the commissioner of finance, who is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Minnesota Senate. The position of commissioner of finance became commissioner of Minnesota Management and Budget in 2009.
List of territorial and state treasurers
Territorial treasurers Name Took office Left office Party Calvin A. Tuttle 18491853WhigGeorge W. Prescott18531854Democratic Charles E. Leonard 18541857DemocraticGeorge W. Armstrong18571858Democratic
State treasurers No. Image Name Term Party1 George W. ArmstrongMay 24, 1858-January 1, 1860 Democratic2 Charles SchefferJanuary 1, 1860-January 10, 1868 Republican3 Emil D. Munch January 10, 1868-January 5, 1872 Republican4William Seeger January 5, 1872-February 7, 1873 Republican 5 Edwin W. Dyke February 7, 1873-January 7, 1876 Republican Anti-Monopoly6William Pfaender January 7, 1876-January 10, 1880 Republican7 Charles Kittelson January 10, 1880-January 5, 1887 Republican8Joseph BobleterJanuary 5, 1887-January 7, 1895 Republican9August T. KoernerJanuary 7, 1895-January 7, 1901 Republican10Julius H. BlockJanuary 7, 1901-January 7, 1907 Republican11 Clarence C. DinehartJanuary 7, 1907-June 8, 1910 Republican12 Elias Steele PettijohnJune 8, 1910-January 3, 1911 Republican13 Walter J. Smith January 3, 1911-February 14, 1916 Republican14Arthur C. GoodingFebruary 14, 1916-January 2, 1917 Republican15Henry RinesJanuary 2, 1917-July 1, 1925 Republican16 Edward W. StarkJuly 1, 1925-January 4, 1927 Republican17Julius A. SchmahlJanuary 4, 1927-January 5, 1937 Republican18C. A. HalversonJanuary 5, 1937-January 2, 1939 Farmer–Labor19Julius A. SchmahlJanuary 2, 1939-January 2, 1951 Republican20Val BjornsonJanuary 2, 1951-January 3, 1955 Republican21 Arthur HansenJanuary 3, 1955-January 7, 1957 DFL22 Val BjornsonJanuary 7, 1957-January 6, 1975 Republican23 Jim LordJanuary 6, 1975-January 3, 1983 DFL24 Robert W. Mattson Jr.January 3, 1983-January 5, 1987 DFL25 Michael McGrathJanuary 5, 1987-January 4, 1999 DFL26 Carol C. JohnsonJanuary 4, 1999-January 6, 2003 DFL
Notes on Minnesota political party names Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party: On April 15, 1944 the state Democratic Party and the Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party merged and created the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL). It is affiliated with the national Democratic Party. Republican Party of Minnesota: From November 15, 1975 to September 23, 1995 the name of the state Republican party was the Independent-Republican party (I-R). The party has always been affiliated with the national Republican Party.
References For additional historical background on the Office of the State Treasurer, see
External links Past Minnesota State Treasurers