Minnesota Senate

Minnesota Senate
Minnesota Senate
92nd Minnesota Legislature
Type
Type	Upper house of the Minnesota Legislature
Term limits	None
History
New session started	January 5, 2021
Leadership
President	Jeremy Miller (R) ; since November 12, 2020
Majority Leader	Mark Johnson (acting) (R) ; since September 2, 2021
Minority Leader	Susan Kent (DFL) ; since February 1, 2020
Structure
Seats	67
Political groups	Republican (34); DFL (31); Independent (2);
Length of term	4 years when elected in years ending in 2 and 6.; 2 years when elected in years ending in 0.
Authority	Article IV, Minnesota Constitution
Salary	$46,500/year + per diem
Elections
Voting system	First-past-the-post
Last election	November 3, 2020
Next election
Redistricting	Legislative control
Meeting place
	Senate chamber; Minnesota State Capitol; Saint Paul, Minnesota
Website
	www.senate.mn

The Minnesota Senate is the upper house of the Legislature of the U.S. state of Minnesota. At 67 members, half as many as the Minnesota House of Representatives, it is the largest upper house of any U.S. state legislature.^[2] Floor sessions are held in the west wing of the State Capitol in Saint Paul. Committee hearings, as well as offices for senators and staff, are located north of the State Capitol in the Minnesota Senate Building. Each member of the Minnesota Senate represents approximately 80,000 constituents.^[3]

History[]

The Minnesota Senate held its first regular session on December 2, 1857.^[4]

Powers[]

In addition to its legislative powers, certain appointments by the governor are subject to the Senate's advice and consent. As state law provides for hundreds of executive appointments, the vast majority of appointees serve without being confirmed by the Senate; only in rare instances are appointees are rejected by the body.^[5] The Senate has rejected only nine executive appointments since 2000.^[6]

Elections[]

Each Senate district is split between an A and B House district (e.g., Senate District 41 contains House districts 41A and 41B). The Minnesota Constitution forbids a House district to be within more than one Senate district.^[7]

In order to account for decennial redistricting, members run for one two-year term and two four-year terms each decade. Senators are elected for four-year terms in years ending in 2 and 6, and for two-year terms in years ending in 0.^[8] Districts are redrawn after the decennial United States Census in time for the primary and general elections in years ending in 2. The most recent election was held on November 3, 2020.

Leadership[]

Mark Johnson, a Republican from East Grand Forks, has served as majority leader since 2021.

From statehood through 1972, the lieutenant governor served as president of the Senate. In 1972, voters approved a constitutional amendment that provided for the Senate to elect its own president beginning January 1973.^[9] The president, who presides over official Senate proceedings, also acts as the parliamentarian and oversees the secretary of the senate.^[10]

The majority leader is responsible for managing and scheduling the business of the Senate and oversees partisan and nonpartisan staff. The current majority leader is Mark Johnson, a Republican from East Grand Forks.^[11] Each caucus also selects its own leaders and deputy leaders.

Minnesota Senate Building[]

Committee hearings primarily take place in the Minnesota Senate Building, a 293,000 square feet office building that opened in January 2016.^[12] The $90 million office building, which is located north of the State Capitol across University Avenue includes three committee hearing rooms, offices for all senators and staff, a raised terrace overlooking the State Capitol, and a 264-space underground parking facility.^[13]

The 2016 session was held in the newly-constructed Minnesota Senate Building due to an extensive restoration at the State Capitol. It was the first time the Senate held a regular session outside of the State Capitol since its opening in 1905.^[14]

Composition[]

92nd Minnesota Legislature (2021–2023)

	Party (Shading indicates majority caucus)			Total	Vacant

	Republican	Independent	DFL
End of the previous Legislature	34	2	30	66	1
Begin 2021	34	2	31	67	0
Latest voting share	51%	3%	46%

Members, 2021-2023[]

Senate districts

Republican

DFL

Independent

District	Name	Party	Residence	First elected
1	Mark Johnson	Republican	East Grand Forks	2016
2	Paul Utke	Republican	Park Rapids	2016
3	Tom Bakk	Independent	Cook	2002
4	Kent Eken	DFL	Twin Valley	2012
5	Justin Eichorn	Republican	Grand Rapids	2016
6	David Tomassoni	Independent	Chisholm	2000
7	Jen McEwen	DFL	Duluth	2020
8	Bill Ingebrigtsen	Republican	Alexandria	2006
9	Paul Gazelka	Republican	Nisswa	2010
10	Carrie Ruud	Republican	Breezy Point	2002^{[nb 1]}
11	Jason Rarick	Republican	Pine City	2019^{[nb 2]}
12	Torrey Westrom	Republican	Elbow Lake	2012
	Jeff Howe	Republican	Rockville	2018^{[nb 2]}
	Aric Putnam	DFL	St. Cloud	2020
	Andrew Mathews	Republican	Milaca	2016
	Gary Dahms	Republican	Redwood Falls	2010
	Andrew Lang	Republican	Olivia	2016
	Scott Newman	Republican	Hutchinson	2010
19	Nick Frentz	DFL	North Mankato	2016
20	Rich Draheim	Republican	Madison Lake	2016
	Mike Goggin	Republican	Red Wing	2016
	Bill Weber	Republican	Luverne	2012
	Julie Rosen	Republican	Vernon Center	2002
	John Jasinski	Republican	Faribault	2016
	Dave Senjem	Republican	Rochester	2002
	Carla Nelson	Republican	Rochester	2010
	Gene Dornink	Republican	Austin	2020
	Jeremy Miller	Republican	Winona	2010
	Bruce Anderson	Republican	Buffalo Township	2012
	Mary Kiffmeyer	Republican	Big Lake	2012
	Michelle Benson	Republican	Ham Lake	2010
	Mark Koran	Republican	North Branch	2016
	David Osmek	Republican	Mound	2012
	Warren Limmer	Republican	Maple Grove	1995^{[nb 2]}
	Jim Abeler	Republican	Anoka	2016^{[nb 2]}
36	John Hoffman	DFL	Champlin	2012
37	Jerry Newton	DFL	Coon Rapids	2016
38	Roger Chamberlain	Republican	Lino Lakes	2010
	Karin Housley	Republican	Stillwater	2012
	Chris Eaton	DFL	Brooklyn Center	2011^{[nb 2]}
	Mary Kunesh-Podein	DFL	New Brighton	2020
	Jason Isaacson	DFL	Shoreview	2016
	Chuck Wiger	DFL	Maplewood	1996
	Ann Johnson Stewart	DFL	Plymouth	2020
	Ann Rest	DFL	New Hope	2000
	Ron Latz	DFL	St. Louis Park	2006
	Julia Coleman	Republican	Chanhassen	2020
	Steve Cwodzinski	DFL	Eden Prairie	2016
	Melisa Franzen	DFL	Edina	2012
	Melissa Halvorson Wiklund	DFL	Bloomington	2012
	Jim Carlson	DFL	Eagan	2006^{[nb 3]}
	Matt Klein	DFL	Mendota Heights	2016
	Susan Kent	DFL	Woodbury	2012
	Karla Bigham	DFL	Cottage Grove	2018^{[nb 2]}
	Eric Pratt	Republican	Prior Lake	2012
	Lindsey Port	DFL	Burnsville	2020
	Greg Clausen	DFL	Apple Valley	2012
	Zach Duckworth	Republican	Lakeville	2020
	Bobby Joe Champion	DFL	Minneapolis	2012
60	Kari Dziedzic	DFL	Minneapolis	2012^{[nb 2]}
	Scott Dibble	DFL	Minneapolis	2002
	Omar Fateh	DFL	Minneapolis	2020
	Patricia Torres Ray	DFL	Minneapolis	2006
	Erin Murphy	DFL	Saint Paul	2020
	Sandy Pappas	DFL	Saint Paul	1990
	John Marty	DFL	Roseville	1986
67	Foung Hawj	DFL	Saint Paul	2012

Notes[]

^ Lost re-election in 2006. Elected again in 2012.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Elected in a special election.^[15]
^ Lost re-election 2010. Elected again in 2012.

References[]

^ Van Oot, Torey. "Minnesota legislators set to get $1,500 pay raise". Star Tribune. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
^ Legislatures, National Conference of State. "Number of Legislators and Length of Terms in Years". www.ncsl.org. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
^ "Frequently Asked Questions - - Minnesota Legislature". www.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
^ "Sessions of the Minnesota State Legislature and the Minnesota Territorial Legislature, 1849-present". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
^ "Creation and Organization of Executive Branch Agencies". Minnesota House of Representatives Research Department. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
^ "Senate Confirmations: Problematic Governor Appointments - Minnesota Legislative Reference Library". www.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
^ "Minn. Const. art. IV, § 3". Constitution of the State of Minnesota. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
^ "Minn. Const. art. IV, § 4". Constitution of the State of Minnesota. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
^ "President and President Pro Tempore of the Minnesota Senate, 1849-present". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
^ "Minnesota Senate President and President Pro Tempore, 1849-present - Minnesota Legislative Reference Library". www.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
^ Ferguson, Dana. "MN Republicans re-elect Gazelka as senate majority leader". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
^ Davis, Don (January 11, 2016). "Minnesota Senate Building quietly opens in spite of disagree..." Forum News Service. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
^ "After controversy, new Minnesota Senate Office Building finally opens". Twin Cities. January 11, 2016. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
^ Stassen-Berger, Rachel E. (August 6, 2017). "How the newly restored Minnesota Capitol came to be". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
^ "Party Control of the Minnesota Senate, 1951-present". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved November 13, 2018.

External links[]

Official website

Coordinates: 44°57′19″N 93°6′10″W / 44.95528°N 93.10278°W / 44.95528; -93.10278

{Governor Of Minnesota}

[15] Lost re-election in 2006. Elected again in 2012.

[senatespecial-17] Jump up to: ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Elected in a special election.^[15]

[18] Lost re-election 2010. Elected again in 2012.

[1] Van Oot, Torey. "Minnesota legislators set to get $1,500 pay raise". Star Tribune. Retrieved January 10, 2021.

[2] Legislatures, National Conference of State. "Number of Legislators and Length of Terms in Years". www.ncsl.org. Retrieved November 21, 2017.

[3] "Frequently Asked Questions - - Minnesota Legislature". www.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved September 28, 2019.

[4] "Sessions of the Minnesota State Legislature and the Minnesota Territorial Legislature, 1849-present". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved October 19, 2019.

[5] "Creation and Organization of Executive Branch Agencies". Minnesota House of Representatives Research Department. Retrieved February 27, 2014.

[6] "Senate Confirmations: Problematic Governor Appointments - Minnesota Legislative Reference Library". www.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved October 19, 2019.

[7] "Minn. Const. art. IV, § 3". Constitution of the State of Minnesota. Retrieved January 24, 2013.

[8] "Minn. Const. art. IV, § 4". Constitution of the State of Minnesota. Retrieved January 24, 2013.

[9] "President and President Pro Tempore of the Minnesota Senate, 1849-present". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved January 24, 2013.

[10] "Minnesota Senate President and President Pro Tempore, 1849-present - Minnesota Legislative Reference Library". www.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved October 19, 2019.

[11] Ferguson, Dana. "MN Republicans re-elect Gazelka as senate majority leader". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved October 19, 2019.

[12] Davis, Don (January 11, 2016). "Minnesota Senate Building quietly opens in spite of disagree..." Forum News Service. Retrieved November 21, 2017.

[13] "After controversy, new Minnesota Senate Office Building finally opens". Twin Cities. January 11, 2016. Retrieved November 23, 2017.

[14] Stassen-Berger, Rachel E. (August 6, 2017). "How the newly restored Minnesota Capitol came to be". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved October 19, 2019.

[16] "Party Control of the Minnesota Senate, 1951-present". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved November 13, 2018.

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show v t Members of the Minnesota Senate
92nd Minnesota Legislature (2021–2023) President Jeremy Miller (R) President pro tempore David Tomassoni (I) Majority Leader Paul Gazelka (R) Minority Leader Susan Kent (DFL)
Mark Johnson (R) Paul Utke (R) Tom Bakk (I) Kent Eken (DFL) Justin Eichorn (R) David Tomassoni (I) Jen McEwen (DFL) Bill Ingebrigtsen (R) Paul Gazelka (R) Carrie Ruud (R) Jason Rarick (R) Torrey Westrom (R) Jeff Howe (R) Aric Putnam (DFL) Andrew Mathews (R) Gary Dahms (R) Andrew Lang (R) Scott Newman (R) Nick Frentz (DFL) Rich Draheim (R) Mike Goggin (R) Bill Weber (R) Julie Rosen (R) John Jasinski (R) Dave Senjem (R) Carla Nelson (R) Gene Dornink (R) Jeremy Miller (R) Bruce Anderson (R) Mary Kiffmeyer (R) Michelle Benson (R) Mark Koran (R) David Osmek (R) Warren Limmer (R) Jim Abeler (R) John Hoffman (DFL) Jerry Newton (DFL) Roger Chamberlain (R) Karin Housley (R) Chris Eaton (DFL) Mary Kunesh-Podein (DFL) Jason Isaacson (DFL) Chuck Wiger (DFL) Ann Johnson Stewart (DFL) Ann Rest (DFL) Ron Latz (DFL) Julia Coleman (R) Steve Cwodzinski (DFL) Melisa Franzen (DFL) Melissa Wiklund (DFL) Jim Carlson (DFL) Matt Klein (DFL) Susan Kent (DFL) Karla Bigham (DFL) Eric Pratt (R) Lindsey Port (DFL) Greg Clausen (DFL) Zach Duckworth (R) Bobby Joe Champion (DFL) Kari Dziedzic (DFL) Scott Dibble (DFL) Omar Fateh (DFL) Patricia Torres Ray (DFL) Erin Murphy (DFL) Sandy Pappas (DFL) John Marty (DFL) Foung Hawj (DFL)
Majority caucus Republican (34) Independent (2) Minority caucus Democratic–Farmer–Labor (31) Minnesota Legislature Minnesota Senate Minnesota House of Representatives

show v t Government of Minnesota
Executive elected	Governor Lieutenant Governor Secretary of State Attorney General Auditor Treasurer (1858–2003)
Executive agencies	Administration Agriculture Commerce Corrections Education Employment and Economic Development Health Higher Education Housing Finance Human Rights Indian Affairs Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Labor and Industry Lottery Management and Budget Military Affairs Natural Resources Pollution Control Public Safety Public Utilities Revenue State Colleges and Universities System State Patrol Transportation Veterans Affairs
Legislative	Legislature Senate House
Judicial	Supreme Court Court of Appeals Worker's Compensation District Court
Regional	Regional Development Commissions Watershed districts
Public state-related entities	University of Minnesota system Metropolitan Council
Related	Capitol Constitution Politics Territorial legislature Tribal government

show v t Legislatures of the United States
United States Congress	United States House of Representatives United States Senate
State legislatures	Alabama (H, S) Alaska (H, S) Arizona (H, S) Arkansas (H, S) California (A, S) Colorado (H, S) Connecticut (H, S) Delaware (H, S) Florida (H, S) Georgia (H, S) Hawaii (H, S) Idaho (H, S) Illinois (H, S) Indiana (H, S) Iowa (H, S) Kansas (H, S) Kentucky (H, S) Louisiana (H, S) Maine (H, S) Maryland (H, S) Massachusetts (H, S) Michigan (H, S) Minnesota (H, S) Mississippi (H, S) Missouri (H, S) Montana (H, S) Nebraska Nevada (A, S) New Hampshire (H, S) New Jersey (GA, S) New Mexico (H, S) New York (A, S) North Carolina (H, S) North Dakota (H, S) Ohio (H, S) Oklahoma (H, S) Oregon (H, S) Pennsylvania (H, S) Rhode Island (H, S) South Carolina (H, S) South Dakota (H, S) Tennessee (H, S) Texas (H, S) Utah (H, S) Vermont (H, S) Virginia (H, S) Washington (H, S) West Virginia (H, S) Wisconsin (A, S) Wyoming (H, S)
Other legislatures	District of Columbia American Samoa (H, S) Guam Northern Mariana Islands (H, S) Puerto Rico (H, S) U.S. Virgin Islands
Legislative elections	2010 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
List of U.S. state legislators

show Authority control
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National libraries	United States