Marlana Benzie-Lourey is the Editor and Publisher of the Askov American, a small weekly newspaper founded in 1914 that serves the residents of northern Pine County.  Benzie-Lourey has also worked in public relations, on various political campaigns, and as a radio news reporter.  She was the Marketing and Public Relations Director for Mercy Hospital and Health Care Center in Moose Lake.  She also served as the Executive Director for the Moose Lake-Windemere Sanitary Sewer District. Benzie-Lourey was the Communications Director for the Becky Lourey for Governor campaign in 2002. She also worked as a news reporter for Minnesota Public Radio in Duluth from 1990-1995.  Benzie-Lourey's husband, Tony Lourey, was recently elected to the Minnesota State Senate in District 8.

Marlana and Tony live on a small farm in Kerrick Township with their three children.  They are active in the local community and in their children's school. They are members of the Sustainable Farming Association and Minnesota Farmers Union.