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Johnson, Dean Elton

Sessions Served  red ball graphic  Other Information

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Map of Willmar
Willmar, MN

House 1979-82 (District 21A); Senate 1983-2002 (District 15); Senate 2003-2006 (District 13)

Party when first elected:  Independent Republican

Counties Served:  Chippewa, Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Pope, Renville, Stearns, Yellow Medicine

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 06/24/1947 Date of Death: 
Birth Place: Lanesboro, Minnesota Birth County: Fillmore Birth Country: United States
Other Names:
Gender:  Male Religion:  Lutheran
City of Residence (when first elected):  Willmar

Occupation (when first elected):  Clergy/Chaplain, Minnesota Army National Guard/Former Pastor Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar

EDUCATION

Lanesboro High School; Secondary;
Luther College, Decorah, Iowa; B.A.; Business Administration
Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul; M.Div.; Master of Divinity
U.S. Army War College; M.S.S.; Strategic Studies, 2002

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

Municipal GovernmentWillmar, Minnesota (Fire Department) ??/??/19?? to ??/??/19??
MilitaryMinnesota Army National Guard ??/??/19?? to ??/??/2???
Municipal Council/AldermenWillmar, Minnesota (City Council)Elected??/??/1977 to ??/??/1978
Board of RegentsUniversity of MinnesotaElected??/??/2007 to ??/??/2013

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Single (when first elected); Avonelle (first listed in 1985, she died in 2005 while he was in office); Widower
Children: One child
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

Special Legislative Concerns: criminal justice, business climate, agriculture, welfare reform, transportation, public education, rural economic development, telecommunications, taxes.

He grew up on a farm.

He served as Senate Minority Leader as an Independent Republican member and Senate Majority Leader as a Democratic-Farmer-Labor member.

Religion provided by Politics in Minnesota the Directory, 2005-2006.

Legislative Session: 84th (2005-2006) (second half of Senate term)   Session Details term photo
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Body: Senate Elected: 11/5/2002 Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/2/2007
District: 13 Residence: Willmar
Counties Represented: Kandiyohi, Pope, Stearns
Occupation: Lutheran Pastor, Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar/National Guard Chaplain, Brigadier General
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:  
Committees:
Agriculture, Veterans and Gaming
Capital Investment
Finance Subcommittee: Transportation Budget Division
Rules and Administration (Chair)
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Committees (Chair)
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Permanent and Joint Rules
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Personnel (Chair)
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Senate Budget
Transportation
Leadership Position: Majority Leader
Legislative Session: 83rd (2003-2004)   Session Details term photo
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Body: Senate Elected: 11/5/2002 Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/2/2007
District: 13 Residence: Willmar
Counties Represented: Kandiyohi, Pope, Stearns
Occupation: Lutheran Pastor, Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar/National Guard Chaplain, Brigadier General (Select)
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:  
Committees:
Agriculture, General Legislation and Veterans Affairs-2003/Agriculture, Veterans and Gaming-2004
Capital Investment
Finance
Finance Subcommittee: Transportation Policy and Budget Division (Chair)
Rules and Administration (Chair)
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Elections
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Ethical Conduct
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Permanent and Joint Rules
State and Local Government Operations
Leadership Position: Majority Leader
Leadership Notes: He was elected Majority Leader in 2004.
Session Notes: He was the Chair of the Transportation Policy and Budget Division in 2003 only. He was a member of the Finance Committee in 2003 only. He was a member of the Agriculture, Veterans and Gaming Committee in 2004 only.
Legislative Session: 82nd (2001-2002)   Session Details term photo
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Body: Senate Elected: 11/7/2000 Term of Office: 1/3/2001 to 1/6/2003
District: 15 Residence: Willmar
Counties Represented: Chippewa, Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Renville, Yellow Medicine
Occupation: Lutheran Minister, Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar/National Guard Chaplain
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:  
Committees:
Agriculture, General Legislation and Veterans Affairs
Finance
Finance Subcommittee: Transportation and Public Safety Budget Division (Chair)
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Elections
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Ethical Conduct
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Permanent and Joint Rules
Transportation
Legislative Session: 81st (1999-2000) (second half of Senate term)   Session Details
Body: Senate Elected: 11/5/1996 Term of Office: 1/7/1997 to 1/2/2001
District: 15 Residence: Willmar
Counties Represented: Chippewa, Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Renville, Yellow Medicine
Occupation: Lutheran Pastor, Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar/National Guard Chaplain (Colonel)
Party: Republican Party Notes: He switched to the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party on January 12, 2000.
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
Agriculture and Rural Development
Education Finance
Election Laws
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Committees
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Permanent and Joint Rules
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Personnel
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Senate Budget
Transportation
Transportation/State Government Finance Subcommittee: Transportation Budget Division
Legislative Session: 80th (1997-1998)   Session Details term photo
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Body: Senate Elected: 11/5/1996 Term of Office: 1/7/1997 to 1/2/2001
District: 15 Residence: Willmar
Counties Represented: Chippewa, Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Renville, Yellow Medicine
Occupation: Lutheran Pastor, Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar/National Guard Chaplain (Colonel)
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
Agriculture and Rural Development
Education Finance
Election Laws
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Committees
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Permanent and Joint Rules
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Personnel
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Senate Budget
Transportation
Transportation/State Government Finance Subcommittee: Transportation Budget Division
Leadership Position: Minority Leader
Leadership Notes: He resigned from his position as Minority Leader in July 1997.
Legislative Session: 79th (1995-1996) (second half of Senate term)   Session Details
Body: Senate Elected: 11/3/1992 Term of Office: 1/5/1993 to 1/6/1997
District: 15 Residence: Willmar
Counties Represented: Chippewa, Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Renville, Yellow Medicine
Occupation: Lutheran Pastor, Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar/Chaplain (Colonel) Minnesota Army National Guard
Party: Independent Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
Ethics and Campaign Reform
Finance
Gaming Regulation
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Committees
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Permanent and Joint Rules
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Personnel
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Senate Budget
Leadership Position: Minority Leader
Legislative Session: 78th (1993-1994)   Session Details
Body: Senate Elected: 11/3/1992 Term of Office: 1/5/1993 to 1/6/1997
District: 15 Residence: Willmar
Counties Represented: Chippewa, Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Renville, Yellow Medicine
Occupation: Lutheran Pastor, Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar/Chaplain (Colonel) MN Army National Guard
Party: Independent Republican
Committees:
Ethics and Campaign Reform
Finance
Gaming Regulation
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Committees
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Permanent and Joint Rules
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Personnel
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Senate Budget
Leadership Position: Minority Leader
Legislative Session: 77th (1991-1992)   Session Details term photo
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Body: Senate Elected: 11/6/1990 Term of Office: 1/8/1991 to 1/4/1993
District: 15 Residence: Willmar
Counties Represented: Kandiyohi, Pope, Stearns
Occupation: Lutheran Pastor, Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar/Chaplain (LTC) MN Army National Guard
Party: Independent Republican
Committees:
Elections and Ethics
Finance
Finance Subcommittee: Education Division
Finance Subcommittee: Joint Claims
Gaming Regulation
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Special Committee on Ethical Conduct
Transportation
Transportation Subcommittee: Commercial Policy
Veterans and General Legislation
Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader
Legislative Session: 76th (1989-1990) (second half of Senate term)   Session Details
Body: Senate Elected: 11/4/1986 Term of Office: 1/6/1987 to 1/7/1991
District: 15 Residence: Willmar
Counties Represented: Kandiyohi, Pope, Stearns
Occupation: Lutheran Pastor, Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar/Chaplain (LTC) MN Army National Guard
Party: Independent Republican
Committees:
Elections and Ethics
Finance
Finance Subcommittee: Education Division
Finance Subcommittee: Health and Human Services Division
Finance Subcommittee: Joint Claims
General Legislation and Public Gaming
Public Utilities and Energy
Public Utilities and Energy Subcommittee: Utilities
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Special Committee on Ethical Conduct
Legislative Session: 75th (1987-1988)   Session Details
Body: Senate Elected: 11/4/1986 Term of Office: 1/6/1987 to 1/7/1991
District: 15 Residence: Willmar
Counties Represented: Kandiyohi, Pope, Stearns
Occupation: Lutheran Pastor, Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar/Chaplain (Major) MN Army National Guard
Party: Independent Republican
Committees:
Elections and Ethics
Finance
Finance Subcommittee: Education Division
General Legislation and Public Gaming
Public Utilities and Energy
Public Utilities and Energy Subcommittee: Deregulated Industries
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Special Committee on Ethical Conduct
Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader
Legislative Session: 74th (1985-1986) (second half of Senate term)   Session Details term photo
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Body: Senate Elected: 11/2/1982 Term of Office: 1/4/1983 to 1/5/1987
District: 15 Residence: Willmar
Counties Represented: Kandiyohi, Pope, Stearns
Occupation: Lutheran Pastor, Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar/Chaplain (Major) MN Army National Guard
Party: Independent Republican
Committees:
Elections and Ethics
Finance
Finance Subcommittee: Health and Human Services
Health and Human Services
Health and Human Services Subcommittee: Income Maintenance
Judiciary
Judiciary Subcommittee: Criminal Law
Judiciary Subcommittee: Judicial Administration
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Special Committee on Ethical Conduct
Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader
Legislative Session: 73rd (1983-1984)   Session Details
Body: Senate Elected: 11/2/1982 Term of Office: 1/4/1983 to 1/5/1987
District: 15 Residence: Willmar
Counties Represented: Kandiyohi, Pope, Stearns
Occupation: Lutheran Pastor, Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar/Realtor
Party: Independent Republican
Committees:
Elections and Ethics
Finance
Finance Subcommittee: Health and Human Services
Health and Human Services
Health and Human Services Subcommittee: Income Maintenance
Judiciary
Judiciary Subcommittee: Criminal Law
Judiciary Subcommittee: Judicial Administration
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Special Committee on Ethical Conduct
Legislative Session: 72nd (1981-1982)   Session Details term photo
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Body: House Elected: 11/4/1980 Term of Office: 1/6/1981 to 1/3/1983
District: 21A Residence: Willmar
Counties Represented: Kandiyohi
Occupation: Clergy, Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar/Real Estate
Party: Independent Republican
Committees:
Appropriations
Appropriations Subcommittee: State Departments Division
Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice Subcommittee: Law Enforcement and Corrections
Financial Institutions and Insurance
Financial Institutions and Insurance Subcommittee: Insurance
Legislative Session: 71st (1979-1980)   Session Details
Body: House Elected: 11/7/1978 Term of Office: 1/3/1979 to 1/5/1981
District: 21A Residence: Willmar
Counties Represented: Kandiyohi
Occupation: Clergy/Chaplain, Minnesota Army National Guard/Former Pastor Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar
Party: Independent Republican
Committees:
Appropriations
Appropriations Subcommittee: State Departments Division
Financial Institutions and Insurance
Financial Institutions and Insurance Subcommittee: Banking
Local and Urban Affairs
Local and Urban Affairs Subcommittee: Governmental Administration and Structures

OTHER INFORMATION

Audio/Video
Gay Rights Speech (Audio) 1993 - from 3/18/93 Senate Floor Session




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