Sen. Lourey is known for her record of beating the odds.
In 1990, she ran as a DFLer against a long-time incumbent Republican state representative and became the first woman to represent her rural district. Six years later she claimed a state Senate seat over yet another legislative veteran. The two incumbents Becky defeated to win public office had 44 years of legislative experience between them.

House of Representatives

Few successful political figures have succeeded without learning from a setback or two along the way. Becky took on popular Republican incumbent Representative Doug Carlson twice during the 1980s, losing narrowly both times. Persistence paid off in 1990 when Becky beat the 18-year legislative veteran. She easily won re-election in 1992 and 1994.

Senate

In 1996, after winning the DFL endorsement for the Minnesota Senate, Becky defeated 26-year incumbent DFL Senator Florian Chmielewski in a primary election. That November, in the general election, she won a four-year term to the Senate. She won re-election to a two-year term in 2000, and in 2002—after redistricting brought more Republican voters into her district—she won another four-year term.

Accomplishments

Among Sen. Lourey’s major legislative accomplishments:

• co-authored the entire MinnesotaCare package in 1992;
• co-authored the Small Business Health Care Insurance Reform;
• chief author of the Rural Health Initiatives which included creation of the current Office of Rural Health and Primary Care;
• initiated and chaired the Katie Poirier Task Force, which made recommendationsresulting in several law changes to improve community safety;
• authored legislation to provide Minnesota Grown food stamp replacement services to denied immigrants;
• authored the Medication Management Act;
• authored the Senior Prescription Drug Program;
• successfully led the fight to pass bovine growth hormone-free milk labeling requirements; and
• successfully carried the bonding provision to establish the Rush Line Transportation Corridor along Interstate Highway 35.
  

Awards

“National Family Week Advocacy Award” (2005)
Communities Investing in Families – Region 7E

“Will Pacesetter” (2005)
WILL/WAND Conference Securing the Future: Women Leading the Way

“Friend of EMS” (2005 National EMS Week)
Regions Hospital Emergency Medical Services

“Recognition of leadership to prevent childhood lead poisoning in Minnesota”
(May 18, 2005)
Sustainable Resources Center and CLEARCorps USA

“Paul Wellstone Advocacy Award” (May 12, 2005)
The Minnesota Psychiatric Society

“Joan and Walter Mondale Award for Public Service” (April 9, 2005)
Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party

“Child Advocacy Award” (2004)
American Academy of Pediatrics Minnesota Chapter

“Staff Pick—Feminist Finds” (2004)
Minnesota Women’s Press

“Senator of the Year” (2004)
Minnesota Farmers Union

“Honorary BioDiesel Buddy” (April 4, 2004)
MN Biodiesel Council

“Friend of EMS” (February 2004)
Minnesota Ambulance Association

“Golden Triangle Award for outstanding record in support of family farms and rural communities” (2003-2004)
Minnesota Farmers Union

“Legislative Dean’s List” (2003)
The Minnesota State University Student Association

“Recognition for effort to pass legislation placing epinephrine in all ambulances in the State of Minnesota” (May 2002)
The Anaphylaxis and Food Allergy Association of Minnesota

“Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of a valuable scientific contribution to the Star of the North Meeting” (April 2003)
Minnesota Dental Association

“Certificate of Appreciation” (February 1999 and April 2002)
The Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Alliance

“Page’s Favorite Senator” (2001 and 2002)
Page

Lake Superior Water Trails Association (2001)
Leadership Award

“Angels in Adoption” (2001)
Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institiute

“Nonprofit Allies Award for Outstanding Legislative Leadership—Minnesota Senate” (2001)
Minnesota Council of Nonprofits

“Legislator of the Year” (2001)
ARC Minnesota

Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare (2001)
“In appreciation for outstanding leadership and support of Minnesota children with physical and functional disabilities.”

“Help, Hope & A Voice Award” (October 26, 2001)
Brain Injury Association of Minnesota

“Certificate of Appreciation—National Crime Victims’ Rights Week” (April 23, 2001)
The State of Minnesota

“Health Care Leader 2000” Award (2000)
Minnesota Hospital and Health Care Partnership

“"Top Five Senator"”Award (August 2000)
St. Paul Legal Ledger
“"[For her] work on Katie's Law. She resisted knee-jerk reaction to crime and took the long-term view... The most conscientious legislator I have ever seen."”

“Appreciation for leadership provided in getting laws enacted concerning predatory behavior” (May 2000)
Attorney General of Minnesota Mike Hatch

“Appreciation for Support in the 1999 Session” (1999)
Pine Technical College

“Certificate of Appreciation for Support of Higher Education and the Occupational Skills Program” (March 1999)
Central Lakes College

“Lucy Hahn, Barbara Stulder Political Courage Award” (1998)
Women’s Candidate Development Coalition

“Policy Maker of the Year” (April 28, 1998)
Minnesota Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy, Prevention and Parenting

“Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Contributions” (January 27, 1998)
The Minnesota Women’s Consortium Celebration 18: Creating New Traditions—Mothers and Daughters

“Charlotte Striebel Long Distance Runner Award” (1997)
National Organization of Women (NOW)

“Legislator of the Year” (1997)
St. Paul Business and Professional Women

“Champion for Child Care” (1997)
Teachers and Providers for Minnesota’s Children

“Certificate of Appreciation” (1997)
A System of Technology to Achieve Results (STAR)—A Program of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Technology for People with Disabilities

The PACE Committee of the National Association of Social Workers MN Chapter  (1997)“in appreciation of outstanding public service.”

AFSCME Council 6, AFL-CIO and the Union's Corrections Policy Committee (1997) “for your dedication to public service and in support of MN's working men and women who make the state prison system great.”

“Commendation and Applause” (1996 and 1997)
Minnesota Board on Aging

“Distinguished Service Award” (1996)
Minnesota Council of Child Caring Agencies (MCCCA)

“Certificate of Legislative Excellence” (September 23, 1996)
Minnesota Community Action Association

Food First Coalition  (1995)
In Appreciation of Devoted and Invaluable Services.

“Award in Recognition of 100% Voting Record” (1993-1994 and 1995-1996)
Minnesota Farmers Union

“Recognition of Outstanding Service” (1993)
Minnesota Coalition of Licensed Social Workers

“Recognition and Appreciation” (1993)
Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers

The Minnesota Nutrition Project Directors Association on behalf of the State of Minnesota's Senior Citizens: (1993)
“We applaud your work on behalf of Minnesota's older adults.”

MN Center for Rural Health (1992)
“for providing guidance and support in the development of the MN Center for Rural Health.”

“B. Robert Lewis Award” (1992)
Minnesota Public Health Association

MN DACA Award  (1992)
“For distinguished service to people with developmental disabilities as a member of Minnesota House of Representatives.”

“Friend of EMS” (February 1, 1992)
Arrowhead EMS Association

“Recognition for Outstanding Leadership and Vision” (November 22, 1991)
Minnesota Alliance for Progressive Action

“Governor’s Marvelous Minnesota Woman Award” (1989)
State of Minnesota

“Recognition of Outstanding Leadership for the Citizens of Minnesota and their Environment”
Minnesota League of Conservation Voters

“Measure of Excellence Award,”
Minnesota Community Action Association

Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States.
Citation of Merit

Patriotic Citizen Award.
“Given in grateful appreciation for unsolicited inspirational patriotic service to the community through the daily display of our national flag.”

United Way of Minneapolis Area's Success by 6
“as a supporter of quality early childhood development....those mental, social, emotional and physical skills needed to succeed throughout life.”