Party Control of the Minnesota Senate, 1951-present
Party codes (see also notes at end of historical data):
| C=Conservative | L=Liberal |
| R=Republican | DFL=Democratic-Farmer-Labor |
| IR=Independent Republican | Ind.=Independent |
| iR=independent Republican |
Compiled by: Minnesota Legislative Reference Library
Compiled from: Minnesota legislative manuals and other sources, including
previous library compilations and several histories of Minnesota.
While efforts have been made to verify this information in more than one source, the library cannot guarantee the accuracy of sources; errors are possible. Please report any errors to the library staff.
| Date | Event | Note | Total | C/R/IR/iR | L/DFL | Other | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/4/2010 | Convenes | 67 | 21 | 46 | 0 | 25 | |
| 1/26/2010 | Special election | Mike Parry (R) elected from District 26. | 67 | 21 | 46 | 0 | 25 |
| 1/8/2010 | Resignation | Dick Day (R) from District 26 resigns. | 66 | 20 | 46 | 0 | 26 |
| 1/6/2009 | Convenes | 67 | 21 | 46 | 0 | 25 | |
| 11/5/2008 | Resignation | Sen. Dan Larson (DFL, 63) resigns. | 65 | 21 | 44 | 0 | 23 |
| 11/4/2008 | Special election | Lisa A. Fobbe (DFL, 16) and Ken Kelash (DFL, 63) are elected to be sworn in on January 6, 2009. | 67 | 21 | 46 | 0 | 25 |
| 7/28/2008 | Resignation | Sen. Betsy Wergin (R, 16) is appointed to the Public Utilities Commission. | 66 | 21 | 45 | 0 | 24 |
| 1/3/2008 | Special election | Kevin Dahle (DFL) elected from District 25. | 67 | 22 | 45 | 0 | 23 |
| 1/1/2008 | Resignation | Sen. Tom Neuville's (R, 25) resignation takes effect. He was appointed as a Third Judicial District trial court judge. | 66 | 22 | 44 | 0 | 22 |
| 1/3/2007 | Convenes | 67 | 23 | 44 | 0 | 21 | |
| 3/1/2006 | Convenes | 67 | 29 | 38 | 0 | 9 | |
| 1/9/2006 | Party change | Sheila Kiscaden (Independence, 30) announced she has switched to the DFL party and will run for lieutenant governor with gubernatorial candidate Kelly Doran. | 67 | 29 | 38 | 0 | 9 |
| 12/31/2005 | Resignation | Mark Ourada (R, 19) plans to resign on December 31, 2005. | 65 | 28 | 36 | 1 | 9a |
| 12/27/2005 | Special election | Tarryl Clark (DFL) elected from District 15, sworn in on January 6, 2006. | 67 | 29 | 37 | 1 | 9a |
| 11/22/2005 | Special election | Amy T. Koch (R) elected from District 19 and was sworn in on January 5, 2006. | 66 | 29 | 36 | 1 | 8a |
| 11/22/2005 | Special election | Terri Bonoff (DFL) elected from District 43 and was sworn in on December 7, 2005. | 66 | 29 | 36 | 1 | 8a |
| 1/1/1900 | Resignation | Dave Kleis (R, 15) plans to resign to become the mayor of St. Cloud. He was sworn in as the mayor on November 21, 2005. | 65 | 29 | 35 | 1 | 7a |
| 9/21/2005 | Resignation | David Gaither (R, 43) resigned to become Gov. Pawlenty's chief of staff. | 66 | 30 | 35 | 1 | 6a |
| 1/4/2005 | Convenes | 67 | 31 | 35 | 1 | 5a | |
| 7/13/2004 | Special election | Chris Gerlach (R, 37), took office July 21, 2004. | 67 | 31 | 35 | 1 | 5a |
| 6/29/2004 | Resignation | David Knutson (R, 37) is appointed to district judgeship | 66 | 30 | 35 | 1 | 6a |
| 5/11/2004 | Caucus change | Sheila Kiscaden (Independence, 30) joins the DFL caucus. | 67 | 31 | 35 | 1 | 5a |
| 5/6/2004 | Caucus change | Sheila Kiscaden (Independence, 30) was asked to leave the Republican caucus. | 67 | 31 | 35 | 1 | 4 |
| 2/2/2004 | Convenes | 67 | 31 | 35 | 1 | 3b | |
| 1/7/2003 | Convenes | 67 | 31 | 35 | 1 | 3b | |
| 12/13/2002 | Caucus change | Sheila Kiscaden (Independence, 30) joins the Republican caucus. (Bob Lessard is the other Independence Party member; he is retiring at the end of this term. He did not caucus with either party.) | 67 | 26 | 39 | 2 | 12d |
| 7/9/2002 | Party change | Sheila Kiscaden (R, 30) became a member of the Independence party. | 67 | 26 | 39 | 2 | 13c |
| 1/29/2002 | Special election | Mee Moua (DFL, 67) | 67 | 27 | 39 | 1c | 12 |
| 1/29/2002 | Special election | Yvonne Prettner Solon (DFL, 7) | 66 | 27 | 38 | 1c | 11 |
| 1/29/2002 | Convenes | 65 | 27 | 37 | 1c | 10 | |
| 1/2/2002 | Resignation | Randy Kelly (DFL, 67) | 65 | 27 | 37 | 1c | 10 |
| 12/28/2001 | Death | Sam Solon (DFL, 7) | 66 | 27 | 38 | 1c | 11 |
| 1/3/2001 | Party change | Bob Lessard (independent, 3) joins Independence Party. | 67 | 27 | 39 | 1c | 12 |
| 1/3/2001 | Convenes | 67 | 27 | 39 | 1c | 12 | |
| 7/18/2000 | Party change | Bob Lessard (DFL, 3) becomes an independent. | 67 | 26 | 40 | 1c | 14 |
| 6/15/2000 | Party change | Charlie Berg (independent, 13) becomes Republican. | 67 | 26 | 41 | 0 | 15 |
| 1/12/2000 | Party change | Dean Johnson (R, 15) joins the DFL Party. | 67 | 25 | 41 | 1c | 16 |
| 12/14/1999 | Special election | Tony Kinkel (DFL) elected from 4 | 67 | 26 | 40 | 1c | 14 |
| 11/2/1999 | Special election | Twyla Ring (DFL,18) is elected. | 66 | 26 | 39 | 1c | 13 |
| 10/27/1999 | Resignation | David Ten Eyck (DFL,4) appointed judge. | 65 | 26 | 38 | 1c | 12 |
| 8/21/1999 | Death | Janet Johnson (DFL,18) dies. | 66 | 26 | 39 | 1c | 13 |
| 4/13/1999 | Special election | Bob Kierlin (R) elected from 32 | 67 | 26 | 40 | 1c | 14 |
| 3/30/1999 | Special election | Don Ziegler (R) elected from 26. | 66 | 25 | 40 | 1c | 15 |
| 3/15/1999 | Resignation | Steve Morse (DFL, 32) to join the Dept. of Natural Resources. | 65 | 24 | 40 | 1c | 16 |
| 2/26/1999 | Resignation | Tracy Beckman (DFL, 26) to head US Farm Service Agency | 66 | 24 | 41 | 1c | 17 |
| 1/5/1999 | Convenes | 67 | 24 | 42 | 1c | 18 | |
| 1/7/1997 | Convenes | 67 | 24 | 42 | 1c | 18 | |
| 1/1/1900 | Party change | Charlie Berg (DFL, 13) becomes independent. | 67 | 25 | 41 | 1c | 16 |
| 2/6/1996 | Special election | Michelle Fischbach (R) elected from 14. | 67 | 25 | 42 | 0 | 17 |
| 1/9/1996 | Resignation | Joe Bertram (DFL, 14) resigns. | 66 | 24 | 42 | 0 | 18 |
| 2/2/1995 | Special election | Warren Limmer (IR) elected from 33. | 67 | 24 | 43 | 0 | 19 |
| 1/3/1995 | Resignation | Pat McGowan (IR, 33) becomes Hennepin County sheriff. | 66 | 23 | 43 | 0 | 20 |
| 1/3/1995 | Convenes | 67 | 24 | 43 | 0 | 19 | |
| 12/29/1994 | Special election | Dave Kleis (IR) elected from 16. | 67 | 24 | 43 | 0 | 19 |
| 12/29/1994 | Special election | Don Kramer (IR) elected from 47. | 66 | 23 | 43 | 0 | 20 |
| 11/8/1994 | Special election | Kenric Scheevel (IR) elected from 31. | 67 | 23 | 44 | 0 | 21 |
| 11/8/1994 | Special election | Mark Ourada (IR) elected from 19. | 66 | 22 | 44 | 0 | 22 |
| 11/1994 | Resignation | JoAnne Benson (IR, 16) elected lieutenant governor. | 65 | 22 | 43 | 0 | 21 |
| 11/1994 | Resignation | Bill Luther (DFL, 47) elected to U.S. House. | 66 | 23 | 43 | 0 | 20 |
| 9/19/1994 | Resignation | Duane Benson (IR, 31) to become director of Minnesota Business Partnership. | 65 | 21 | 44 | 0 | 23 |
| 6/1994 | Retirement (effective Jan. 1995) | Betty Adkins (DFL, 19) retires. | 66 | 22 | 44 | 0 | 22 |
| 1/5/1993 | Convenes | 67 | 22 | 45 | 0 | 23 | |
| 5/20/1992 | Resignation | Jim Gustafson (IR, 8) appointed commissioner of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board; no special election. | 66 | 20 | 46 | 0 | 26 |
| 1/4/1992 | Special election | Roy Terwilliger (IR) elected from 42. | 67 | 21 | 46 | 0 | 25 |
| 12/7/1991 | Resignation | Don Storm (IR, 42) appointed to Public Utilities Commission. | 66 | 20 | 46 | 0 | 26 |
| 1/8/1991 | Convenes | 67 | 21 | 46 | 0 | 25 | |
| 2/10/1990 | Special election | Carol Flynn (DFL) elected from 61. | 67 | 23 | 44 | 0 | 21 |
| 2/3/1990 | Special election | Mark Piepho (IR) elected from 24. | 66 | 23 | 43 | 0 | 20 |
| 1/1990 | Resignation | Donna Peterson (DFL, 61) becomes U of M liaison; announced December 1989, effective in January. | 65 | 22 | 43 | 0 | 21 |
| 1/1990 | Resignation | Glen Taylor (IR, 24) | 66 | 22 | 44 | 0 | 22 |
| 1/3/1989 | Convenes | 67 | 23 | 44 | 0 | 21 | |
| 12/20/1988 | Special election | Pat McGowan (IR) elected from 48 | 67 | 23 | 44 | 0 | 21 |
| 11/8/1988 | Resignation | Tad Jude (DFL, 48) elected Hennepin County Commissioner; resignation effective January 3. | 66 | 22 | 44 | 0 | 22 |
| 11/8/1988 | Special election | Pat Pariseau (IR) elected from 37. | 67 | 22 | 45 | 0 | 23 |
| 6/28/1988 | Resignation | Darril Wegscheid (DFL, 37), to devote time to career. | 66 | 21 | 45 | 0 | 24 |
| 11/3/1987 | Special election | Robert Decker (IR) elected from 4 | 67 | 21 | 46 | 0 | 25 |
| 8/27/1987 | Resignation | Gerald Willet (DFL, 4) appointed director of Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. | 66 | 20 | 46 | 0 | 26 |
| 1/6/1987 | Convenes | 67 | 20 | 47 | 0 | 27 | |
| 5/1986 | Party change | Charles Berg (independent) becomes DFL. | 67 | 24 | 43 | 0 | 19 |
| 3/7/1985 | Party change | Charles Berg (IR) becomes independent. | 67 | 24 | 42 | 1c | 18 |
| 2/5/1985 | Special election | Jim Gustafson (IR) elected from 8. | 67 | 25 | 42 | 0 | 17 |
| 1/9/1985 | Resignation | James Ulland (IR, 8) to become a senior vice president of First Bank Systems . | 66 | 24 | 42 | 0 | 18 |
| 1/8/1985 | Convenes | 67 | 25 | 42 | 0 | 17 | |
| 1/4/1983 | Convenes | 67 | 25 | 42 | 0 | 17 | |
| 5/12/1981 | Special election | Randy Kamrath (IR) elected from 20. | 67 | 23 | 44 | 0 | 21 |
| 4/10/1981 | Resignation | Jim Nichols (DFL, 20) resigns. | 66 | 22 | 44 | 0 | 22 |
| 1/6/1981 | Convenes | 67 | 22 | 45 | 0 | 23 | |
| 7/1980 | Resignation | Bob Dunn (IR, 18) to become chairman of Waste Management Board; no special election. | 65 | 21 | 44 | 0 | 23 |
| 5/1980 | Resignation | William McCutcheon (DFL, 67) to become St. Paul police chief; no special election. | 66 | 22 | 44 | 0 | 22 |
| 2/22/1980 | Special election | Ben Omann (IR) elected from 16. | 67 | 22 | 45 | 0 | 23 |
| 1/20/1980 | Death | Ed Schrom (DFL, 16) dies. | 66 | 21 | 45 | 0 | 24 |
| 1/8/1980 | Special election | Emery Barrette (IR) elected from 66. | 67 | 21 | 46 | 0 | 25 |
| 11/30/1979 | Resignation | John Chenoweth (DFL, 66), becomes director of Minneapolis Municipal Employees Retirement Association. | 66 | 20 | 46 | 0 | 26 |
| 11/6/1979 | Special election | Anne Stokowski (DFL) elected from 55. | 67 | 20 | 47 | 0 | 27 |
| 8/1/1979 | Death | Eugene Stokowski (DFL, 55) dies. | 66 | 20 | 46 | 0 | 26 |
| 6/19/1979 | Special election | Irving Stern (DFL) elected from 41. | 67 | 20 | 47 | 0 | 27 |
| 5/1979 | Death | Robert Lewis (DFL, 41) | 66 | 20 | 46 | 0 | 26 |
| 1/3/1979 | Convenes | 67 | 20 | 47 | 0 | 27 | |
| 12/19/1978 | Special election | David Rued (IR) elected from 13. | 67 | 20 | 47 | 0 | 27 |
| 12/1978 | Resignation | Win Borden (DFL, 13) becomes executive secretary of MACI. | 66 | 19 | 47 | 0 | 28 |
| 1/17/1978 | Convenes | 67 | 19 | 48 | 0 | 29 | |
| 12/3/1977 | Special election | Delores (Dee) Knaak (IR) elected from 49. | 67 | 19 | 48 | 0 | 29 |
| 11/1977 | Resignation | John Milton (DFL, 49); resignation announced in October. | 66 | 18 | 48 | 0 | 30 |
| 2/5/1977 | Special election | A. O. Setzepfandt (DFL) elected from 21. | 67 | 18 | 49 | 0 | 31 |
| 1/4/1977 | Convenes | 66 | 18 | 48 | 0 | 30 | |
| 12/29/1976 | Resignation | Alec Olson (DFL, 21) becomes lieutenant governor. | 66 | 28 | 37 | 1e | 8 |
| 2/1/1975 | Special election | Nancy Brataas (IR) elected from 33. | 67 | 28 | 38 | 1e | 9 |
| 1/7/1975 | Convenes | 67 | 28 | 38 | 1e | 9 | |
| 1/1/1900 | Resignation | Harold Krieger (IR, 33) elected Olmsted County judge. | 66 | 27 | 38 | 1e | 10 |
| 12/14/1974 | Special election | Robert J. (Bob) Schmitz (DFL) elected from 36. | 67 | 31 | 36 | 0 | 5 |
| 11/1974 | Resignation | Jim Lord (DFL, 36) elected state treasurer. | 66 | 31 | 35 | 0 | 4 |
| 1/15/1974 | Convenes | 67 | 31 | 36 | 0 | 5 | |
| 1/2/1973 | Convenes | 67 | 30 | 37 | 0 | 7 | |
| 1/5/1971 | Convenes | 67 | 34 | 33 | 0 | 1 | |
| 1/7/1969 | Convenes | 67 | 45 | 22 | 0 | 23 | |
| 1/3/1967 | Convenes | 67 | 45 | 22 | 0 | 23 | |
| 1/5/1965 | Convenes | 67 | 44 | 23 | 0 | 21 | |
| 1/8/1963 | Convenes | 67 | 43 | 24 | 0 | 19 | |
| 1/3/1961 | Convenes | 67 | 43 | 24 | 0 | 19 | |
| 1/6/1959 | Convenes | 67 | 43 | 24 | 0 | 19 | |
| 1/8/1957 | Convenes | 67 | 48 | 19 | 0 | 29 | |
| 1/4/1955 | Convenes | 67 | 48 | 19 | 0 | 29 | |
| 1/6/1953 | Convenes | 67 | 52 | 15 | 0 | 37 | |
| 1/2/1951 | Convenes | 67 | 51 | 16 | 0 | 35 |
a This margin reflects that the Independence party member (Senator Sheila Kiscaden) caucused with the Democrats.
b This margin reflects that the Independence party member (Senator Sheila Kiscaden) caucused with the Republicans.
c The independent senator or Independence party senator did not caucus with the Republicans or the Democrats.
d The margin reflects the fact that one member of the Independence party (Senator Sheila Kiscaden) caucused with the Republican caucus and the other Independence party member (Senator Bob Lessard) was not a member of either caucus.
e The independent senator (Senator Charlie Berg) is listed in the 1975-76 Legislative Manual identified Senator Berg as caucusing with the Independent Republic caucus.
Sources of data:
- Legislative Directory (unofficial), 1957-1973 (Minnesota Railroads Association)
- Membership directories, 1987-1989 (Minnesota House of Representatives)
- Newspaper clippings, 1970s- (especially for mid-term changes)
- House and Senate journals
