Richard Carlbom
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Richard Carlbom | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Chair of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party | |
| Assumed office March 29, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Ken Martin |
| Mayor of Saint Joseph, Minnesota | |
| In office c.January 29, 2005 – May 17, 2007 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1981-08-04) August 4, 1981 (age 44) |
| Spouse | Justin Schramm |
| Education | Saint John's University (BS, 2004) |
Richard Carlbom (born August 4, 1981) is an American politician serving since 2025 as the chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. The former mayor of St. Joseph and a onetime campaign manager for Tim Walz, he rose to statewide prominence when he led the campaign to legalize same-sex marriage in Minnesota from 2011 to 2013.[1]
Carlbom graduated from Saint John's University with a bachelor's degree in political science in 2004.[2]
Career
Mayor of Saint Joseph
At 23 years old, a few months after his graduation from Saint John's, Carlbom was elected mayor of Saint Joseph, Minnesota in 2004.[2] He served for 2 years and resigned five months into his second term to work for Tim Walz, then the representative for Minnesota's 1st congressional district in the United States House of Representatives.[3]
Walz congressional campaign
Carlbom found a career in campaigns and communications following his time as mayor. He worked with Walz's 2008 and 2010 campaigns, serving as his campaign manager in 2010.[4] Following that campaign work, was the Communications Director for Saint Paul mayor Chris Coleman.[5]
Same-sex marriage activism
In 2011, both houses of the Minnesota Legislature passed a bill introducing a ballot measure for a constitutional amendment that would have outlawed same-sex marriage in Minnesota.[6] Shortly thereafter, Minnesota LGBTQ+ rights organizations OutFront Minnesota and Project 515 formed Minnesotans United for All Families, a campaign against the amendment. Carlbom, who was engaged to his now-husband two weeks before the amendment made it through the legislature, was selected to chair the campaign.[7] The "Vote No" campaign was successful: voters rejected the amendment with a 51% majority.[8]
After the marriage ban passed, Carlbom began work with Minnesotans United on legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in the Minnesota Legislature.[9] The organization spent $2 million lobbying for the bill, which was sponsored by Scott Dibble (DFL) in the Senate [9] and Karen Clark in the House. The bill passed in both houses and was signed into law by Governor Mark Dayton on March 14, 2013.[10]
Following his work in Minnesota, Carlbom became the director of state campaigns for the nonprofit Freedom to Marry.[1]
Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Tim Walz
In 2023, Carlbom was hired as the deputy chief of staff for Minnesota governor Tim Walz.[11]
Democratic-Farmer-Labor party chair
On March 29, 2025, Carlbom was elected chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party to succeed Ken Martin, who resigned after his election as chair of the Democratic National Committee.[12]
Personal life
Carlbom has been married to Justin Schramm, a teacher, since 2013.[13]
References
- 1 2 Crann, Tom (December 18, 2013). "Prominent same-sex marriage activist Richard Carlbom on an eventful 2013, and his plans for the future". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- 1 2 Post, Tim (January 23, 2005). "St. Joseph has another young mayor". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- ↑ "St. Joseph, Minn. / Mayor to resign for job as Walz aide". Twin Cities Pioneer Press. May 10, 2007.
- ↑ Maurice, Jim (March 29, 2025). "Former St. Joseph Mayor Elected Chair of DFL Party". WJON News.
- ↑ Scheck, Tom (September 9, 2011). "Carlbom to direct group working to defeat Same-Sex Marriage ballot initiative". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- ↑ "Voters to determine the future of marriage, House decides". Star Tribune. May 22, 2011.
- ↑ Aslanian, Sasha; Ringham, Eric (November 9, 2012). "EIGHTEEN MONTHS TO HISTORY: How the Minnesota marriage amendment was defeated -- money, passion, allies". Minnesota Public Radio News. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- ↑ Gilbert, Curtis; Aslanian, Sasha; Baran, Madeleine (November 7, 2012). "Minnesota voters reject marriage amendment". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- 1 2 Aslanian, Sasha (May 22, 2013). "Richard Carlbom: 'Quiet,' 'brilliant' general behind Minnesota's same-sex marriage law". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- ↑ Hawkins, Beth (May 14, 2013). "Dayton signs marriage-equality law on Capitol steps". Minnesota Reformer. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- ↑ Schmidt, Corey (March 30, 2025). "Former St. Joseph mayor, St. John's University graduate named Minnesota DFL chair". Saint Cloud Times. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- ↑ MPR News Staff (March 29, 2025). "Richard Carlbom ascends to top role at Minnesota DFL Party as its first new chair in 14 years". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
- ↑ "Same-sex marriage leader ties the knot". Bring Me The NEws. December 21, 2013. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
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| Preceded by | Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party State Chair 2025– |
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