Linda Berglin State Senator, DFL -Minneapolis
Senator Linda Berglin is serving her 10th term in the Minnesota Senate. Prior to that, Berglin served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1972-1978. In her tenure in the Minnesota Senate, Senator Berglin has prioritized legislative policy around health and welfare, corrections, urban affairs, women's issues, minorities and senior citizens. She will continue her work to provide affordable healthcare through implementation of the Federal Patient Protection Act, maximize TANF funds for job training and minimize cuts to balance the budget.
First Elected: 1972 (House), 1982 (Senate)
Term Length: 4 Years
Re-Election Date: Retired August of 2011
Terri Bonoff State Senator, District 43
Senator Bonoff is currently serving her third term in the Minnesota Senate. She has worked on enhancing AP and IB educational programs at Minnesota high schools, served as Chair of the Senate Early Education Subcommittee, and continuously champions legislation to support survivors of domestic violence. Bonoff continues to represent her district on key state issues including repairing the economy, solving the current healthcare crisis, and protecting the environment.
First Elected: 2005
Term Length: 4 Years
Re-Election Date: 11/4/2012
Website: http://www.terribonoff.com/
Chris Eaton, Candidate for State Senate, District 46
Chris Eaton is running in a Special Election (scheduled for October 18, 2011) in Senate District 46 after the unfortunate passing of Senator Linda Scheid. She will continue the tradition of positive leadership in the community and is committed to moving Minnesota forward. Once elected, Eaton will focus on economy and job growth, small business, and tax fairness. As a 20-year Brooklyn Center resident, long time community volunteer, registered nurse, union member, and involved parent, Eaton is well qualified to tackle the tough issues before our community and the challenges facing our schools, neighborhoods, and cities. She will be a coalition builder, good listener, and strong advocate for the District. She is currently endorsed by Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center Representatives Debra Hilstrom and Mike Nelson, the DFL, womenwinnning, the Teamsters and the Minnesota Nurses Association.
Election Date: 10/18/2011
Website: www.eaton4senate.com
Barbara Goodwin, State Senator, District 50
Barbara Goodwin is currently serving her first term in the Minnesota Senate. She served as a State Representative for residents of Columbia Heights, Fridley, Hilltop and St Anthony from 2001 to 2007. While serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives, Goodwin worked to improve K-12 funding, promote access to health care, advance consumer protections, increase transit options and balance state budgets while protecting vital services. She has been serving on the Columbia Heights School Board since November, 2009 and is an Adjunct Professor at the Hamline University Graduate School of Business teaching Legislative Practice and Government Contracting. In the Senate, she will focus on addressing the budget shortfall in District 50, transportation restrictions and opportunities, education funding, and energy and the environment.
First Elected: 2010
Term Length: 4 Years
Re-Election Date: 11/4/2012
Website: http://www.barbgoodwinforsenate.homestead.com
Linda Higgins State Senator, District 58
Linda Higgins has successfully carried bills that increased funding for basic sliding-fee childcare, after-school enrichment, adolescent parenting and smaller class sizes. In addition, she has fought for affordable healthcare, clean air and water and safer neighborhoods. Senator Higgins is an avid environmentalist and aims to empower kids to make good choices about their lives. Earlier this year, for example, she ensured 2.5 million dollars for summer jobs for Minneapolis youth in the Senate’s Jobs bill. Additionally, she has been a leader on the Elections Committee, ensuring that those entitled are able to vote.
First Elected: 1996
Term Length: 4 Years
Re-Election Date: 11/4/2012
Website: http://www.senatorlinda.com
Mary Jo McGuire State Senator, District 66
Mary Jo McGuire was recently elected to the State Senate in a special election in District 66. She replaced Senator Ellen Anderson who was appointed Chair of the Public Utilities Commission. As a life-long resident of Falcon Heights and a former State Representative (1988-2002), McGuire is already carrying on the great legacy of Senator Anderson. She received her Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Business and her law degree from Hamline University. She currently teaches at St. Catherine’s University and serves as the State Director for Project Citizen.
First Elected: 2010
Term Length: 4 Years
Re-Election Date: 11/4/2012
Website: http://mcguireforsenate.avenet.net/
Patricia Ray State Senator, District 62
Patricia Ray, the first Latino American to be elected to the Minnesota State Senate, is a Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party member. She received her Masters in Public Administration from the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs and her undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota. During the 2010 legislative session, she was a member of the E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division, Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division and Energy Subdivision and Committee on Education. In addition, she served as the Vice Chair for the Committee on Health, Housing and Family Security. Her work for the Children's Defense Fund, National Resource Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention, Minnesota Children's Trust Fund, Kids Count and Greater Minneapolis Day Care Association proves her commitment to youth development.
First Elected: 2006
Term Length: 4 Years
Re-Election Date: 11/4/2012
Website: http://www.patriciaforsenate.org
Ann Rest State Senator, District 45
Senator Ann Rest has served as State Senator representing residents of Crystal, Golden Valley, New Hope, Plymouth, and Robbinsdale since 2000 and served in the MN House of Representatives since 1984. Rest served as Chair to the Committee on State and Local Government Operations and Oversight, and as a member of the State Government Budget Division, Transportation Budget/Policy Division and Committees on Taxes and Transportation. In the 2009-2010 biennium, Senator Rest successfully authored legislation dealing with public safety, campaign finance reform, funding for firefighting training, and economic development.
First Elected: 1984 (house), 2000 (senate)
Term Length: 4 Years
Re-Election Date: 11/4/2012
Website: http://www.restformn.com
Kathy Sheran State Senator, District 23
Born in Mankato, Kathy Sheran received her BSN from the College of St. Teresa and her Masters from MSU-Mankato. Before running for political office, Sheran was an RN and educator for 35 years. In 1983, she was elected as the President of the Mankato City Council, and she served four terms as Mayor pro-tem. Sheran was elected for her first term to the Minnesota Senate in 2006. She plans to focus on the issues of healthcare, education, tax policy, agriculture, transportation, and environment.
First Elected: 2006
Term Length: 4 Years
Re-Election Date: 11/4/2012
Website: http://www.sheranforstatesenate.com
Sandy Pappas, Minnesota Senate District 65
Senator Sandy Pappas is serving her seventh term in the Minnesota Senate. Prior to that, Pappas served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1984-1988. Senator Pappas is currently the Chair of the Finance- Higher Education Budget and Policy Division and the Chair of the Higher Education committee. She also serves on the Capital Investment, Finance, and State Government Budget Division committees amongst others. A long time champion for women, Pappas has prioritized education, labor, women’s and civil rights in her long tenure in the Minnesota Senate. If re-elected, Senator Pappas will focus on lowering tuition costs for college students.
First Elected: 1984 (house), and 1990 (senate)
Term Length: 4 Years
Re-Election Date: 11/4/2012
Website: http://www.sandypappas.com
Katie Sieben, Minnesota Senate District 57
Senator Katie Sieben is serving her second term in Minnesota Senate District 57. Prior to that, Sieben served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2003-2006. She has served as the Vice Chair of the Capital Investment committee and also the Environment and Natural Resources, Finance- Transportation Budget and Policy Division, and Transportation committee among others.Senator Sieben will prioritize expanding educational opportunities and transportation options in Minnesota.
First elected: 2002 (house), 2006 (senate)
Term Length: 4 Years
Re-Election Date: 11/4/2012
Website: http://www.katiesieben.com
