McCollum, Betty, 1954-

<p>Betty Louise McCollum /məˈkɒləm/ (born July 12, 1954) is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Minnesota's 4th congressional district, serving since 2001. She is a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL). McCollum's district centers on St. Paul, Minnesota's capital city. She is the second woman elected to Congress from Minnesota. McCollum became the dean of Minnesota's congressional delegation in 2021.</p>

<p>Before her election to the U.S. House, McCollum served eight years as a state representative.</p>

<p>McCollum was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She graduated from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1976. McCollum has worked as a high school social sciences teacher and as a sales manager.</p>

MCCOLLUM, Betty, a Representative from Minnesota; born in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minn., July 12, 1954; graduated from South St. Paul High School, St. Paul, Minn., 1972; A.A., Inver Hills Community College, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., 1980; B.A., College of St. Catherine, St. Paul, Minn., 1987; member of the Minnesota state house of representatives, 1992-2001; elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Seventh and to the ten succeeding Congresses (January 3, 2001-present).

<p>Betty McCollum is a Democrat representing the families of Minnesota’s Fourth District in the United States House of Representatives. In 2000, Congresswoman McCollum made history as only the second Minnesota woman elected to serve in Congress since statehood in 1858. McCollum represents the residents of Minnesota's capital city, St. Paul, as well as all of Ramsey County and most of Washington County.</p>

<p>Throughout her career in public service, Congresswoman McCollum has been a champion for excellence in education, protecting the environment, expanding health care access, fiscal responsibility, and robust international engagement that prioritizes diplomacy, development, human rights, along with a strong national defense.</p>

<p>Investments in education, health care, and 21st century infrastructure are top policy priorities for Congresswoman McCollum. With more than 20 institutions of higher learning located in the Fourth District, keeping higher education affordable, accessible, and high quality is important. A strong proponent of public education, she supports keeping our schools accountable to parents and local officials. McCollum is a champion for universal health coverage for all Americans and a strong supporter of protecting and strengthening the Affordable Care Act.</p>