Neva Walker
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Neva Walker | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 61B district | |
| In office January 3, 2001 – January 5, 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Linda Wejcman |
| Succeeded by | Jeff Hayden |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 14, 1971 |
| Party | Democratic |
Neva Walker (born December 14, 1971) is an American politician who served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from district 61B from 2001 to 2009.[1][2] Walker was the first African-American woman to be elected to the Minnesota Legislature.[1]
Walker ran for District 61B in South Minneapolis in 2000. She was endorsed by the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party. District 61B at the time was 35% African American and a DFL stronghold. She ran against Republican Andy Lindberg.[3]She decided to run for office after she had a negative experience demonstrating with homeless people at the Capitol.[4]
Prior to her election, six African-American men had been elected to the legislature but no women; John Francis Wheaton was the first in 1899. Upon her election, she joined Greg Gray as the only two African Americans in the legislature.[3] On May 16, 2008, she became the first African-American woman to gavel the House into session.[1]
In 2003, Walker received a letter from the lawyer of Corcoran Republican Arlon Lindner that was addressed to her as "Walker-Black". Walker said racist incidents she faced were "emotionally and mentally draining."[5]
Her committee assignments included finance, health and human services, and mental health. Walker served four terms.[6][5]
