Governor -- Mark Dayton
The first DFL governor elected in 28 years, Mark Dayton brings over three decades of political experience to the office. The great-grandson of businessman George Dayton, founder of Dayton's Department store, Governor Dayton graduated cum laude from Yale University in 1969 where he also played goalie for Yale's varsity hockey team. After college, Dayton spent time as a teacher and social worker before working as an aide for Senator Walter Mondale from 1975-1976 and for Governor Rudy Perpich from 1977-1978. He continued his working relationship with Governor Perpich by serving as Commissioner of the Minnesota Departments of Economic Development and of Energy and Economic Development. In 1990 he was elected Minnesota State Auditor where he served one term. In 2000 he successfully ran for the U.S. Senate defeating Republican incumbent Rod Grams. He chose not to seek reelection in 2006.
Governor Dayton is known for being compassionate, independent, and a crusader for the issues that he believes in. He has two grown sons with whom he has a close relationship and he currently lives in Minneapolis with his two German Shepards. He plans to kick-off his term with a People's Inaugural Ball on Jan. 8 at the Minneapolis Convention Center where he will be wearing blue jeans.
Speaker of the House -- Kurt Zellers (DFL-Maple Grove)
As anticipated, Kurt Zellers will transition from his current position of House Minority Leader to Speaker of the House on January 4th, when the Minnesota legislature convenes for the 2011 session. Zellers took over the role of Minority Leader in June of 2009 when Marty Seifert stepped down from that position to run for governor. Serving in his fifth term representing Osseo and part of Maple Grove, Rep. Zellers is good-natured and down to earth. A former public relations consultant, Zellers grew up on a farm in North Dakota and played football at the University of North Dakota at Grand Forks. He worked as communications director for U.S. Senator Rod Grams from 1994-2000, and as communications director for the Minnesota House Republican caucus before his election to the House in a special election in 2003. Rep. Zellers and his wife, Kimberly (a teacher), have two children.
House Minority Leader -- Paul Thissen (DFL-Minneapolis)
Also beginning his fifth term in office, Paul Thissen has been serving as the Chair of the House Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight committee since 2007. An attorney representing parts of Richfield and Minneapolis, Rep. Thissen received his undergraduate degree from Harvard before attending the University of Chicago Law School. He sharpened his political skills during his recent gubernatorial bid. Thissen's intellect is well respected amongst both his Democrat and Republican colleagues. Rep. Thissen and his wife, Karen (also an attorney), have three children.
Senate Majority Leader -- Amy Koch (R-Buffalo)
Amy Koch is the first woman elected to serve as the Senate Majority Leader. Elected to the Senate in a special election in 2005, Senator Koch has risen through the ranks quickly and led the effort for the recent Republican takeover of the Senate, having recruited many of the candidates. Smart and outgoing, Senator Koch brings a unique background to the legislature, having served as a Russian linguist in the U. S. Air Force on active duty from 1992 to 1996, where she received the Joint Service Commendation Medal for her contributions to the intelligence community. Currently Koch and her husband, Christopher (whom she met in the service), run a family-owned utility services company. They have one daughter.
Senate Minority Leader -- Tom Bakk (DFL-Cook)
Prior to be being elected to the Senate in 2002, Tom Bakk served four terms in the Minnesota House. From 2007 to 2010 Senator Bakk chaired the Senate Taxes Committee. As a gubernatorial candidate, Bakk, an Iron Ranger representing portions of Carlton, Cook, Koochiching, Lake and St. Louis counties in the northeastern part of the state, campaigned on a jobs and pro-economic development platform. A carpenter by trade, Senator Bakk received his B.A. from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Bakk is known to be a tough and skilled negotiator who can broker deals and get results. Senator Bakk and his wife, Laura (who works for the Minnesota Senate), have four children.
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