A sister and brother were sworn in Tuesday as state Representatives, the first such pair to serve together in the state House.
State Rep. Marion O’Neill of Maple Lake is in her second term, and her older brother, state Rep. Brian Daniels, is newly elected from Faribault. Both are Republicans.
Brothers Harry (Tex) and Mike Sieben had served together in the House during the 1970s and early 1980s.
O’Neill is a small-business owner representing northeastern Wright County including Buffalo, Buffalo Township, Maple Lake, Maple Lake Township, Monticello, Monticello Township and Silver Creek Township.
Daniels is a warranty manager for a tool supply company and represents southern Rice County, eastern and southern Steel County, and western and central Dodge County.
The House Republican caucus quotes the siblings:
“I’m proud of the history we made, but I’m even more proud of the example we set,” said O’Neill. “Having a big brother with a physical disability follow his younger sister to the legislature – to have the opportunity to be the voice for 40,000 Minnesotans – is a testimony to the power of love, family and faith.”
“This endeavor began as an uphill battle,” said Daniels. “Today just proves that with dedication, faith, courage – not to mention the support of loved ones – nothing is impossible.”
Daniels is partially paralyzed and walks with difficulty after treatment of a brain tumor, said the Faribault Daily News.
Besides the Sieben brothers in the House, there were siblings serving together in the Senate, including Tony, George and Rudy Perpich; and Don and Roger Moe. There also were the Lillie brothers, Ted, in the Senate and Leon in the House; and the Bertrams, Joe in the Senate and Jeff in the House. Mary Lahammer from Almanac profiled O’Neill and Daniels in November.
