Kim Norton became the first woman Mayor of Rochester, Minnesota, when she was elected in November of 2018 and took office on January 1, 2019. She was recently re-elected as Mayor for another four-year term. Mayor Kim Norton earned a Bush Fellowship, which allowed her to complete a master’s degree at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs, focused on leadership and energy policy. This work allowed her to investigate communities recognized for their sustainability and livability.
Prior to her fellowship, Mayor Norton served in the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing District 25B, which encompassed the northern portion of Rochester in Olmsted County, in the southeastern part of the state. During her 10 years as a legislator, she introduced many significant pieces of legislation, including the Destination Medical Center (DMC) economic development project aimed at positioning Rochester as a premier health care location. Before serving in the state legislature, Mayor Norton served 8 years, including 1 year as board chair of the Rochester Public Schools Board.
In addition to the Mayor’s solid and long history of public service and leadership, she has a record of asking tough questions, seeking out and listening to people with differing opinions, and working with the community to build bridges toward finding smart, fair solutions.
Mayor Norton recently completed an Executive Certificate in Public Policy at Harvard University’s Kennedy School and has attended the Rockwood Leadership Institute. She continues to serve on many local and state nonprofit boards and holds leadership roles in state and national municipal government organizations (NLC, USCM, and MIP). Kim is a member of the Greater Rochester Rotary.
Kim is married to Randy Stone, is the mother of four grown children and a stepson, and grandmother of four fun grandchildren.
