Introduction
Bob Gunther (born July 12, 1943) is a Minnesota politician and member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, he represents District 23A, which includes all or portions of Blue Earth, Faribault, Jackson, Martin and Watonwan counties.
Early life, education, and career
Gunther was born in Sioux City, Iowa and graduated from Fairmont High School in Fairmont. He served in the United States Navy until age 26, then earned a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing from Saint Cloud State University.
Gunther co-owned Gunther's Foods in Fairmont and Elmore.
Political career
Gunther was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives as a Republican in 1995 in a special election held after Rep. Gene Hugoson was appointed Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture. He is the representative until 2020, which he announced he will not be seeking reelection.
Prior to legislative redistricting in 2002, he represented the old District 26A.
Electoral history
2010 Minnesota State Representative District 24A
Bob Gunther (R), 8994 votes, 63.15%
Steve Fausch (DFL), 5242 votes, 36.80%
Write-In, 7 votes, 0.05%
2008 Minnesota State Representative District 24A
Bob Gunther (R), 10752 votes, 61.57%
Dale Hansen (DFL), 6697 votes, 38.35%
Write-In, 14 votes, 0.08%
2006 Minnesota State Representative District 24A
Bob Gunther (R), 9905 votes, 66.35%
Norma Schmitt (DFL), 5007 votes, 33.54%
Write-In, 17 votes, 0.11%
2004 Minnesota State Representative District 24A
Bob Gunther (R), 11468votes, 62.84%
John Gibeau(DFL), 6775 votes, 37.13%
Write-In, 6 votes, 0.03%
2002 Minnesota State Representative District 24A
Bob Gunther (R), 11446 votes, 72.36%
Lavonne Bowman (DFL), 4358 votes, 2755%
Write-In, 14 votes, 0.09%
- Redistricting: Change in district number and configuration
2000 Minnesota State Representative District 26A
Bob Gunther (R), 13090 votes, 100.00%
Unopposed.
1998 Minnesota State Representative District 26A
Bob Gunther (R), 12076 votes, 98.9%
Unopposed.
Write-In, 130 votes, 1.1%
1996 Minnesota State Representative District 26A
Bob Gunther (R), ? votes, ?%
?(DFL), ? votes, ?%
Write-In, ? votes, ?%
1995 Minnesota State Representative District 26A Special Election January 8, 1995
Bob Gunther (R),? votes, ?%
?(DFL), ? votes, ?%
Write-In, ? votes, ?%
Personal life
He is married to Nancy, and has one child, Elizabeth. He is a member of the Bethel Evangelical Free Church. He enjoys reading Louis L’Amour and Robert Ludlum.