Thissen, Paul
House 2003-2012 (District 63A); House 2013-2018 (District 61B)
Party when first elected: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Counties Served:
Hennepin
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Date of Birth:
12/10/1966
Birth Place:
Bloomington, Minnesota
Birth County:
Hennepin
Birth Country:
United States
Date of Death:
Gender:
Male
Religion:
Catholic
Reported Minority: None Reported
Other Names:
City of Residence (when first elected):
Minneapolis
Occupation (when first elected):
Attorney, Briggs and Morgan Law Firm
EDUCATION
Academy of Holy Angels High School; Secondary; 1985
Harvard University; A.B.; 1989
University of Chicago; J.D.; 1992
OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE
Judicial Administration:
8th Circuit Court of Appeals, Minnesota (Clerk for Judge James Loken);
[Dates Unknown]
State Public Defender/Office:
Minnesota (Appellate State Public Defender);
[Dates Unknown]
Judge:
Minnesota Supreme Court (Associate Justice, Appointed by Governor Dayton);
07/24/2018 to ?
[Appointed]
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
Spouse:
Karen Wilson
Children:
Three children: Emily, Griffin, and Evan
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
GENERAL NOTES
He ran unsuccessfully to become the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party candidate for Governor of Minnesota in the 2010 election. He dropped out during the state convention.
He announced his intention to run for governor in the 2018 election but he withdrew from the race.
He was the "first former Minnesota House Speaker ever tapped for the state's highest court" (Minnesota Lawyer, May 8, 2018).
Religion provided by the Natural Resources Defense Council's State Directories 2005 and Politics in Minnesota the Directory, 2005-2006.
Body: House
District: 61B
Elected: 11/8/2016
Residence: Minneapolis
Term of Office: 1/3/2017 to 4/20/2018
(unfinished term)
Counties Represented:
Hennepin
Occupation: Attorney
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
-
Education Finance
Minutes
-
Job Growth & Energy Affordability Policy and Finance
Minutes
-
Legacy Funding Finance
Minutes
Reason for unfinished term:
Appointed to other office
Session Notes:
He was appointed to the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Body: House
District: 61B
Elected: 11/4/2014
Residence: Minneapolis
Term of Office: 1/6/2015 to 1/2/2017
Counties Represented:
Hennepin
Occupation: Attorney
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
-
Rules & Legislative Administration
Minutes
Leadership Position:
Minority Leader
Body: House
District: 61B
Elected: 11/6/2012
Residence: Minneapolis
Term of Office: 1/8/2013 to 1/5/2015
Counties Represented:
Hennepin
Occupation: Attorney
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
Leadership Position:
Speaker of the House
Body: House
District: 63A
Elected: 11/2/2010
Residence: Minneapolis
Term of Office: 1/4/2011 to 1/7/2013
Counties Represented:
Hennepin
Occupation: Attorney; Briggs and Morgan Law Firm (2011), Lindquist and Vennum Law Firm, Health Law (2012)
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
-
Rules and Legislative Administration
Minutes
Leadership Position:
Minority Leader
Body: House
District: 63A
Elected: 11/4/2008
Residence: Minneapolis
Term of Office: 1/6/2009 to 1/3/2011
Counties Represented:
Hennepin
Occupation: Attorney, Briggs and Morgan Law Firm
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
-
Environment Policy and Oversight
Minutes
-
Environment Policy and Oversight: Game, Fish and Forestry Division
Minutes
-
Finance
Minutes
-
Finance: Health Care and Human Services Finance Division
Minutes
-
Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight (Chair)
Minutes
Body: House
District: 63A
Elected: 11/7/2006
Residence: Minneapolis
Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 1/5/2009
Counties Represented:
Hennepin
Occupation: Attorney
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
-
Biosciences and Emerging Technology
Minutes
-
Commerce and Labor: Telecommunications Regulation and Infrastructure Division
Minutes
-
Finance
Minutes
-
Finance: Health Care and Human Services Finance Division
Minutes
-
Health and Human Services (Chair)
Minutes
-
Rules and Legislative Administration
Minutes
Body: House
District: 63A
Elected: 11/2/2004
Residence: Minneapolis
Term of Office: 1/4/2005 to 1/2/2007
Counties Represented:
Hennepin
Occupation: Attorney
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
-
Health Policy and Finance
Minutes
-
Health Policy and Finance: Health Care Cost Containment Division
Minutes
-
Regulated Industries
Minutes
Body: House
District: 63A
Elected: 11/5/2002
Residence: Minneapolis
Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/3/2005
Counties Represented:
Hennepin
Occupation: Attorney, Briggs and Morgan Law Firm
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
-
Governmental Operations and Veterans Affairs Policy
Minutes
-
State Government Finance
Minutes
-
Transportation Finance
Minutes
Session Interviews
Session Interview
(Video) 2006 House Interview
Session Interview
(Video) 2005 House Interview
Session Interview
(Video) 2003 House Interview
Video
Departing Interview
(Video) 2018
Leadership Preview
(Video) 2016
Articles & Books About
Busse, Nick. "Big Plans, Short Session/Zellers and Thissen Preview the 2012 Session." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, January 27, 2012, p. 3-5
Bryant, Miranda. "Finding His Muse: Thissen Draws on Common Principles from His Life, and 'The Boss,' in New Role as State Legislator." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, January 31, 2003, p. 18.
District Files
District File - 2003 District 63A
District File - 2004 District 63A
District File - 2005 District 63A
District File - 2006 District 63A
District File - 2007 District 63A
District File - 2008 District 63A
District File - 2009 District 63A
These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.
The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library has collected newspaper articles on legislators since 1973. They are available in the Library.