Albert "Al" J. Hofstede (September 25, 1940 – September 3, 2016) was an American politician who served two non-consecutive terms as mayor of Minneapolis, Minnesota, both times representing the

Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Minnesota () is a state in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It is the 12th largest U.S. state in area and the 22nd most populous, with over 5.75 million residents. Minnesota is home to western prairies, now given over to i ...

Political career

Over the course of his career, Hofstede served

Minnesota governor The governor of Minnesota is the head of government of the U.S. state of Minnesota, leading the state's executive branch. Forty people have been governor of Minnesota, though historically there were also three governors of Minnesota Territory. ...

Karl Rolvaag Karl Fritjof Rolvaag (July 18, 1913 – December 20, 1990) was an American diplomat and politician who served as the 31st Governor of Minnesota from March 25, 1963, to January 2, 1967, as a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party. H ...

, was a member of the Minneapolis City Council for four years, a chairperson of the

Metropolitan Council The Metropolitan Council, commonly abbreviated Met Council or Metro Council, is the regional governmental agency and metropolitan planning organization in Minnesota serving the Twin Cities seven-county metropolitan area, accounting for over 55 pe ...

from 1971 to 1973, and mayor of Minneapolis for two terms. His position as Metropolitan Council chairperson was granted by governor

Wendell Anderson Wendell Richard "Wendy" Anderson (February 1, 1933 – July 17, 2016) was an American hockey player, politician, and the 33rd governor of Minnesota, serving from January 4, 1971, to December 29, 1976. In late 1976 he resigned as governor in ord ...

. Hofstede was Minneapolis's first

Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy * Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD * Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a let ...

mayor as well as its youngest at the time of his first election; his first term, as the city's 41st mayor, began on January 1, 1974, when he was 34 years old. The term ended on December 31, 1975, after he was defeated for reelection by independent Charles Stenvig, who had already been mayor from 1970 to 1973. In 1977 Hofstede defeated Stenvig to win another term (the 43rd), which ended on December 31, 1979. During the years that Milwaukee Avenue, a two-block area of half-lot, almost identical houses, was threatened, Hofstede led the way to protect it. He led a tour of the area for residents, neighbors, activists and others. The area was eventually designated an historic district. Later, Hofstede worked as an advisor at North State Advisors.

Personal life

Hofstede was born in

Minneapolis Minneapolis () is the largest city in Minnesota, United States, and the county seat of Hennepin County. The city is abundant in water, with thirteen lakes, wetlands, the Mississippi River, creeks and waterfalls. Minneapolis has its origins ...

on September 25, 1940. He and his wife, Barb, had two children, Emily and Albert. Barb Hofstede died of breast cancer while their children were still young. Albert met and married his second wife, Emma Hofstede (''née'' Hild), a schoolteacher and a nun. Hofstede's daughter, Emily Koski, was elected to the Minneapolis City Council in 2021, representing Ward 11. His sister-in-law, Diane Hofstede, was elected to the Minneapolis Library Board and later to the Minneapolis City Council, representing Ward 3. Hofstede died on September 3, 2016, in Minneapolis at the age of 75. At the time he lived in Blaine.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hofstede, Albert 1940 births 2016 deaths University of St. Thomas (Minnesota) alumni Mayors of Minneapolis Minneapolis City Council members American Roman Catholics Minnesota Democrats