Stacie Weeks resigned from her position as Chief of Staff for the Commissioner of DHS on Jul. 16 after Commissioner Tony Lourey resigned on Jul. 15 and deputy Commissioners Chuck Johnson and Claire Wilson announced their resignations Jul. 11. However, on Jul. 17, Johnson and Wilson rescinded their resignations and will continue to work for DHS.
Weeks was hired as Chief of Staff for Commissioner Lourey in February and has a background in health policy working as a lobbyist for Hennepin County Medical Center. Weeks also helped implement the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, in the state of Minnesota during her previous role as DHS director of health care policy and federal waivers.
Weeks announced in her resignation email that she will leave DHS with “heavy (yet hopeful) heart” adding that she is at “peace in [her] decision” and that DHS is “in good hands” with the newly appointed Commissioner, Pam Wheelock.
Wheelock announced on Jul. 17 that Deputy Commissioners Chuck Johnson and Claire Wilson have decided to continue their employment at DHS. “I thank Chuck and Claire for their willingness to continue their leadership roles during my tenure,” Wheelock said in response to their decision
Representative Nick Zerwas (R-Elk River) spoke out about the manner on Jul. 17 saying that “We just don’t have any information on what’s the root cause of all this unhappiness and turmoil within the agency,” adding that Minnesota taxpayers need more answers about the commotion taking place at DHS.
Megan Olson
Megan Olson is a 2020 graduate of the University of Minnesota with degrees in political science and history. She works in public affairs in addition to serving on the Legislative Advisory Council for School District 196. She is also on the school board for FIT academy, a charter school in Apple Valley.
