Tom Emmer selected Annette Meeks as his choice for Lieutenant Governor on April 27, 2010 at a rally at the state Capitol. Meeks brings to the ticket extensive experience in public policy development through her work leading several non-profit policy think tanks. She also represents the city of Minneapolis on the Metropolitan Council.
Meeks recently took a leave of absence from the Freedom Foundation of Minnesota, a non-profit educational organization that actively advocates the principles of individual freedom, personal responsibility, economic freedom, and limited government. Prior to founding the Freedom Foundation, Meeks spent nine years at the Center of the American Experiment as Director of Government Affairs and Public Programs and President/CEO.
While at the Center of the American Experiment, Meeks spearheaded the Minnesota Policy Blueprint, a comprehensive review of all aspects of the executive branch of Minnesota state government based on conservative and free-market tests.
In announcing Meeks, Emmer called her “a dynamic leader with unparalleled knowledge of state government who is ready to lead our state on day one – my top qualification for the job.”
Emmer added that Meeks would use the role of lieutenant governor to work with agency heads to reorganize state government and set new priorities. During the campaign, she will reach out and engage the public in this discussion in order to build support for these reforms.
Meeks and her husband Jack live in downtown Minneapolis.
