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Cohen, Richard J.
House 1977-78 (District 63B); House 1983-86 (District 64B); Senate 1987-2012 (District 64); Senate 2013-Present (District 64)
Party when first elected: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Counties Served:
Ramsey
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
| Date of Birth: 12/10/1949
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Date of Death:
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| Birth Place: Saint Paul, Minnesota
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Birth County: Ramsey |
Birth Country: United States |
| Other Names: |
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| Gender:
Male
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Religion: Jewish
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City of Residence (when first elected):
Saint Paul
Occupation (when first elected):
Attorney, Hennepin County Public Defender
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EDUCATION
Highland Park High School; Secondary;
Northwestern University; B.A.;
William Mitchell College of Law; J.D.;
OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE
| State Public Defender/Office | Hennepin County, Minnesota (Public Defender) | | ??/??/19?? to ??/??/???? |
| U.S. Executive Branch | President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities (Appointed by President Barack Obama) | Appointed | 11/03/2009 to ??/??/20?? |
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
Spouse:
Single
Children:
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
GENERAL NOTES
Special Legislative Concerns: finance, taxes, civil liberties, courts and justice, economic development.
He was a member of Mount Zion Temple.
Religion according to Jewish Community Relations Council and the Minnesota Legislative Manual, 1977-78.
| Legislative Session:
88th (2013-2014)
Session Details
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| Body: Senate |
Elected: 11/6/2012
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Term of Office: 1/8/2013 to 1/2/2017
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| District: 64 |
Residence: Saint Paul |
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Counties Represented:
Ramsey
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| Occupation: Attorney |
| Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor |
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Bills Authored:
Chief Author
Author
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Committees:
Capital Investment
Finance (Chair)
Finance Subcommittee: Judiciary Division
Finance Subcommittee: State Departments and Veterans Division
Finance Subcommittee: Subcommittee on Legacy (Chair)
Judiciary
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Elections
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| Legislative Session:
87th (2011-2012)
Session Details
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| Body: Senate |
Elected: 11/2/2010
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Term of Office: 1/4/2011 to 1/7/2013
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| District: 64 |
Residence: Saint Paul |
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Counties Represented:
Ramsey
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| Occupation: Attorney |
| Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor |
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Bills Authored:
Chief Author
Author
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Committees:
Finance
Jobs and Economic Growth
Rules and Administration
State Government Innovation and Veterans
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| Legislative Session:
86th (2009-2010) (second half of Senate term)
Session Details
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| Body: Senate |
Elected: 11/7/2006
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Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 1/3/2011
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| District: 64 |
Residence: Saint Paul |
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Counties Represented:
Ramsey
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| Occupation: Attorney; Personal Injury, Private Practice |
| Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor |
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Bills Authored:
Chief Author
Author
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Special Session Bills Authored: |
Committees:
Capital Investment
Finance (Chair)
Finance Subcommittee: Economic Development and Housing Budget Division
Finance Subcommittee: Higher Education Budget and Policy Division
Finance Subcommittee: Judiciary Budget Division
Higher Education
Rules and Administration
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| Legislative Session:
85th (2007-2008)
Session Details
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| Body: Senate |
Elected: 11/7/2006
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Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 1/3/2011
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| District: 64 |
Residence: Saint Paul |
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Counties Represented:
Ramsey
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| Occupation: Attorney, St. Paul |
| Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor |
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Bills Authored:
Chief Author
Author
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Committees:
Capital Investment
Finance (Chair)
Finance Subcommittee: Economic Development Budget Division
Finance Subcommittee: Higher Education Budget and Policy Division
Finance Subcommittee: Judiciary Budget Division
Higher Education
Rules and Administration
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| Legislative Session:
84th (2005-2006) (second half of Senate term)
Session Details
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| Body: Senate |
Elected: 11/5/2002
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Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/2/2007
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| District: 64 |
Residence: Saint Paul |
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Counties Represented:
Ramsey
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| Occupation: Attorney |
| Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor |
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Bills Authored:
Chief Author
Author
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Special Session Bills Authored: |
Committees:
Capital Investment
Finance (Chair)
Finance Subcommittee: Environment, Agriculture and Economic Development Budget Division
Finance Subcommittee: Public Safety Budget Division
Finance Subcommittee: State Government Budget Division
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Senate Audit
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Senate Budget
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| Legislative Session:
83rd (2003-2004)
Session Details
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| Body: Senate |
Elected: 11/5/2002
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Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/2/2007
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| District: 64 |
Residence: Saint Paul |
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Counties Represented:
Ramsey
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| Occupation: Attorney |
| Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor |
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Bills Authored:
Chief Author
Author
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Special Session Bills Authored: |
Committees:
Capital Investment
Finance (Chair)
Finance Subcommittee: Environment, Agriculture and Economic Development Budget Division
Finance Subcommittee: State Government Budget Division
Judiciary
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Senate Audit
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Senate Budget
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| Legislative Session:
82nd (2001-2002)
Session Details
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| Body: Senate |
Elected: 11/7/2000
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Term of Office: 1/3/2001 to 1/6/2003
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| District: 64 |
Residence: Saint Paul |
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Counties Represented:
Ramsey
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| Occupation: Attorney |
| Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor |
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Bills Authored:
Chief Author
Author
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Special Session Bills Authored: |
Committees:
Capital Investment
Education
Education Subcommittee: Higher Education Budget Division
Finance
Finance Subcommittee: State Government, Economic Development and Judiciary Budget Division (Chair)
Judiciary
Judiciary Subcommittee: Family Law
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Redistricting
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Senate Budget
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| Legislative Session:
81st (1999-2000) (second half of Senate term)
Session Details
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| Body: Senate |
Elected: 11/5/1996
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Term of Office: 1/7/1997 to 1/2/2001
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| District: 64 |
Residence: Saint Paul |
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Counties Represented:
Ramsey
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| Occupation: Attorney |
| Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor |
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Bills Authored:
Chief Author
Author
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Committees:
Commerce
Commerce Subcommittee: Banking
Governmental Operations and Veterans
Governmental Operations and Veterans Subcommittee: Veterans
Governmental Operations and Veterans/Election Laws/State Gov't. Finance Comm. Subcommittee: Governmental Operations Budget Division
Judiciary
Judiciary Subcommittee: Family Law
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Senate Budget
State Government Finance (Chair)
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| Legislative Session:
80th (1997-1998)
Session Details
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| Body: Senate |
Elected: 11/5/1996
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Term of Office: 1/7/1997 to 1/2/2001
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| District: 64 |
Residence: Saint Paul |
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Counties Represented:
Ramsey
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| Occupation: Attorney |
| Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor |
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Bills Authored:
Chief Author
Author
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Committees:
Commerce
Commerce Subcommittee: Banking
Governmental Operations and Veterans
Governmental Operations and Veterans Subcommittee: Veterans
Governmental Operations and Veterans/Election Laws/State Gov't. Finance Comm. Subcommittee: Governmental Operations Budget Division
Judiciary
Judiciary Subcommittee: Family Law
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration Subcommittee: Senate Budget
State Government Finance (Chair)
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| Legislative Session:
79th (1995-1996) (second half of Senate term)
Session Details
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| Body: Senate |
Elected: 11/3/1992
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Term of Office: 1/5/1993 to 1/6/1997
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| District: 64 |
Residence: Saint Paul |
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Counties Represented:
Ramsey
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| Occupation: Attorney |
| Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor |
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Bills Authored:
Chief Author
Author
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Committees:
Crime Prevention
Crime Prevention Subcommittee: Crime Prevention Finance Division
Ethics and Campaign Reform
Finance
Finance Subcommittee: Finance State Government Division (Chair)
Judiciary
Judiciary Subcommittee: Family Law
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| Legislative Session:
78th (1993-1994)
Session Details
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| Body: Senate |
Elected: 11/3/1992
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Term of Office: 1/5/1993 to 1/6/1997
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| District: 64 |
Residence: Saint Paul |
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Counties Represented:
Ramsey
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| Occupation: Attorney |
| Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor |
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Committees:
Crime Prevention
Ethics and Campaign Reform
Finance
Finance Subcommittee: Finance State Government Division (Chair)
Judiciary
Judiciary Subcommittee: Family Law
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| Legislative Session:
77th (1991-1992)
Session Details
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| Body: Senate |
Elected: 11/6/1990
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Term of Office: 1/8/1991 to 1/4/1993
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| District: 64 |
Residence: Saint Paul |
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Counties Represented:
Ramsey
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| Occupation: Attorney |
| Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor |
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Committees:
Commerce
Commerce Subcommittee: Banking
Commerce Subcommittee: Insurance
Elections and Ethics
Finance
Finance Subcommittee: Economic and State Affairs Division
Judiciary
Judiciary Subcommittee: Civil Law Division (Chair)
Judiciary Subcommittee: Privacy
Metropolitan Affairs
Redistricting
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| Legislative Session:
76th (1989-1990) (second half of Senate term)
Session Details
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| Body: Senate |
Elected: 11/4/1986
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Term of Office: 1/6/1987 to 1/7/1991
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| District: 64 |
Residence: Saint Paul |
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Counties Represented:
Ramsey
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| Occupation: Attorney |
| Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor |
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Committees:
Commerce
Commerce Subcommittee: Consumer Protection
Commerce Subcommittee: Insurance
Economic Development and Housing
Elections and Ethics
Judiciary
Judiciary Subcommittee: Civil Law Division
Judiciary Subcommittee: Privacy (Chair)
Taxes and Tax Laws
Taxes and Tax Laws Subcommittee: Property Taxes and Local Government Aids Division
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| Legislative Session:
75th (1987-1988)
Session Details
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| Body: Senate |
Elected: 11/4/1986
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Term of Office: 1/6/1987 to 1/7/1991
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| District: 64 |
Residence: Saint Paul |
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Counties Represented:
Ramsey
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| Occupation: Attorney |
| Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor |
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Committees:
Commerce
Commerce Subcommittee: Insurance
Economic Development and Housing
Judiciary
Judiciary Subcommittee: Civil Law Division
Judiciary Subcommittee: Privacy (Chair)
Taxes and Tax Laws
Taxes and Tax Laws Subcommittee: Property Taxes and Local Government Aids
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| Legislative Session:
74th (1985-1986)
Session Details
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| Body: House |
Elected: 11/6/1984
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Term of Office: 1/8/1985 to 1/5/1987
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| District: 64B |
Residence: Saint Paul |
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Counties Represented:
Ramsey
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| Occupation: Attorney |
| Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor |
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Committees:
Appropriations
Appropriations Subcommittee: State Departments Division
Judiciary
Judiciary Subcommittee: Civil Laws and Administration
Regulated Industries and Energy
Regulated Industries and Energy Subcommittee: Energy
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| Legislative Session:
73rd (1983-1984)
Session Details
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| Body: House |
Elected: 11/2/1982
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Term of Office: 1/4/1983 to 1/7/1985
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| District: 64B |
Residence: Saint Paul |
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Counties Represented:
Ramsey
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| Occupation: Attorney |
| Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor |
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Committees:
Appropriations
Appropriations Subcommittee: State Departments Division
Judiciary
Judiciary Subcommittee: Judicial Administration
Judiciary Subcommittee: Law Reform
Local and Urban Affairs
Local and Urban Affairs Subcommittee: Physical and Economic Development
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Session Notes:
His margin of victory over John Drew was only 14 votes so a recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 118 votes.
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| Legislative Session:
70th (1977-1978)
Session Details
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| Body: House |
Elected: 11/2/1976
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Term of Office: 1/4/1977 to 1/2/1979
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| District: 63B |
Residence: Saint Paul |
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Counties Represented:
Ramsey
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| Occupation: Attorney, Hennepin County Public Defender |
| Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor |
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Committees:
Criminal Justice
Governmental Operations
Higher Education
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