Compiled from Minnesota legislative manuals and other sources, including previous library compilations and several histories of Minnesota.
Citations to "Toensing" refer to W.F. Toensing, Minnesota Congressmen, Legislators, and Other Elected State Officials: An Alphabetical Check
List, 1849-1971 (Minnesota Historical Society, 1971). Where a name or party designation is not given in the list, it was not given
authoritatively in the sources so far consulted. It may be available from other sources. 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.
A = Alliance, C = Conservative, D = Democrat, DFL = Democratic-Farmer-Labor, E = Extra Session, FL = Farmer-Labor, IR = Independent-Republican,
L = Liberal, P = Populist, R = Republican, W = Whig
The position of House Speaker, elected at the beginning of the odd year session, is usually held for the full biennium.
Changes made during the biennium are noted.
| YEAR |
SPEAKER |
PARTY |
DIST. |
RESIDENCE |
| 2023 |
Melissa Hortman (Speaker Designate) Elected by House DFL Caucus on November 10, 2022. |
DFL |
36B |
Brooklyn Park |
| 2021 |
Melissa Hortman |
DFL |
36B |
Brooklyn Park |
| 2019 |
Melissa Hortman |
DFL |
36B |
Brooklyn Park |
| 2017 |
Kurt Daudt |
R |
31A |
Crown |
| 2015 |
Kurt Daudt |
R |
31A |
Crown |
| 2013 |
Paul Thissen |
DFL |
61B |
Minneapolis |
| 2011 |
Kurt Zellers |
R |
32B |
Maple Grove |
| 2009 |
Margaret Anderson Kelliher |
DFL |
60A |
Minneapolis |
| 2007 |
Margaret Anderson Kelliher |
DFL |
60A |
Minneapolis |
| 2005 |
Steve Sviggum |
R |
28B |
Kenyon |
| 2003 |
Steve Sviggum |
R |
28B |
Kenyon |
| 2001 |
Steve Sviggum |
R |
28B |
Kenyon |
| 1999 |
Steve Sviggum |
R |
28B |
Kenyon |
| 1997 |
Phil Carruthers |
DFL |
47B |
Brooklyn Center |
| 1995 |
Irvin N. "Irv" Anderson |
DFL |
3A |
International Falls |
| 1993 |
Irvin N. "Irv" Anderson; elected by DFL
caucus September 1,1993.
|
DFL |
3A |
International Falls |
| 1993 |
Dee Long; resigned speaker's chair
August 5, 1993, effective September 15, 1993. |
DFL |
59A |
Minneapolis |
| 1992 |
Dee Long; elected speaker-designate by DFL caucus
August 11, 1991; elected speaker by House,
January 6, 1992. |
DFL |
59A |
Minneapolis |
| 1991 |
Robert E. Vanasek
|
DFL |
25A |
New Prague |
| 1989 |
Robert E. Vanasek |
DFL |
25A |
New Prague |
| 1987 |
Robert E. Vanasek; elected speaker
by DFL caucus June 2, 1987, elected Speaker of by the House on June 25, 1987 (Special Session), effective June 25, 1987 ) |
DFL |
25A |
New Prague |
| 1987 |
Fred C. Norton; appointed by Gov. Perpich
to Minn. Court of Appeals, May 27, 1987, effective July 1, 1987. |
DFL |
65A |
St. Paul |
| 1985 |
David M. Jennings |
IR |
29A |
Truman |
| 1985E |
David M. Jennings |
IR |
29A |
Truman |
| 1983 |
Harry A. (Tex) Sieben, Jr. |
DFL |
37B |
Hastings |
| 1982E1 |
Harry A. (Tex) Sieben, Jr. |
DFL |
52B |
Hastings |
| 1982E2 |
Harry A. (Tex) Sieben, Jr. |
DFL |
52B |
Hastings |
| 1982E3 |
Harry A. (Tex) Sieben, Jr. |
DFL |
52B |
Hastings |
| 1981 |
Harry A. (Tex) Sieben, Jr. |
DFL |
52B |
Hastings |
| 1981E1 |
Harry A. (Tex) Sieben, Jr. |
DFL |
52B |
Hastings |
| 1981E2 |
Harry A. (Tex) Sieben, Jr. |
DFL |
52B |
Hastings |
| 1981E3 |
Harry A. (Tex) Sieben, Jr. |
DFL |
52B |
Hastings |
| 1980 |
Fred C. Norton; mid-term retirements
and other changes necessitated elections resulting in 68-66 DFL
majority; DFL split in two factions (23/45); a coalition of 49 IR
and 26 DFL elected Norton Speaker. |
DFL |
65A |
St. Paul |
| 1979 |
Rodney N. Searle; elected as a compromise
since the house was evenly divided (67/67)*. |
IR |
30B |
Waseca |
| 1977 |
Martin O. Sabo (Martin Olav) |
DFL |
57B |
Minneapolis |
| 1975 |
Martin O. Sabo (Martin Olav) |
DFL |
57B |
Minneapolis |
| 1973 |
Martin O. Sabo (Martin Olav) |
DFL |
57B |
Minneapolis |
| 1971 |
Aubrey W. Dirlam |
C/R |
17A |
Redwood Falls |
| 1971E |
Aubrey W. Dirlam |
C/R |
17A |
Redwood Falls |
| 1969 |
Lloyd L. Duxbury |
C/R |
1B |
Caledonia |
| 1967 |
Lloyd L. Duxbury |
C/R |
1B |
Caledonia |
| 1967E |
Lloyd L. Duxbury |
C/R |
1B |
Caledonia |
| 1966E |
Lloyd L. Duxbury |
C/R |
1 |
Caledonia |
| 1965 |
Lloyd L. Duxbury |
C/R |
1 |
Caledonia |
| 1963 |
Lloyd L. Duxbury |
C/R |
1 |
Caledonia |
| 1961 |
Edwin J. Chilgren |
L/D |
62 |
Littlefork |
| 1961E |
Edwin J. Chilgren; "The Liberals have
controlled the House only in 1933, 1937,
1955, 1957, 1959 and 1961"--Mitau,
Politics in Minnesota (1970), p. 83. |
L/D |
62 |
Littlefork |
| 1961E2 |
Edwin J. Chilgren |
L/D |
62 |
Littlefork |
| 1959 |
Edwin J. Chilgren
| L/D |
62 |
Littlefork |
| 1959E |
Edwin J. Chilgren
| L/D |
62 |
Littlefork |
| 1958E |
Alfred I. Johnson |
L/D |
25 |
Benson |
| 1957 |
Alfred I. Johnson |
L/D |
25 |
Benson |
| 1957E |
Alfred I. Johnson |
L/D |
25 |
Benson |
| 1955 |
Alfred I. Johnson |
L/D |
25 |
Benson |
| 1955E |
Alfred I. Johnson |
L/D |
25 |
Benson |
| 1953 |
John A. Hartle |
C/R |
16 |
Owatonna |
| 1951 |
John A. Hartle |
C/R |
16 |
Owatonna |
| 1951E |
John A. Hartle |
C/R |
16 |
Owatonna |
| 1949 |
John A. Hartle |
C/R |
16 |
Owatonna |
| 1947 |
Lawrence M. Hall |
C/R |
45 |
St. Cloud |
| 1945 |
Lawrence M. Hall |
C/R |
45 |
St. Cloud |
| 1944E |
Lawrence M. Hall |
C/R |
45 |
St. Cloud |
| 1943 |
Lawrence M. Hall |
C/R |
45 |
St. Cloud |
| 1941 |
Lawrence M. Hall |
C/R |
45 |
St. Cloud |
| 1939 |
Lawrence M. Hall; elected as Democrat
in 1934; in 1939, caucused with Conservatives.
|
C/R |
45 |
St. Cloud |
| 1937 |
Harold H. Barker (Harold Henry) |
L/FL |
48 |
Elbow Lake |
| 1937E |
Harold H. Barker (Harold Henry) |
L/FL |
48 |
Elbow Lake |
| 1936E |
George W. Johnson |
C/R |
59 |
Duluth |
| 1935 |
George W. Johnson |
C/R |
59 |
Duluth |
| 1935E |
George W. Johnson |
C/R |
59 |
Duluth |
| 1933 |
Charles Munn; originally (date?) caucused
with Conservatives, but was elected to Railroad and Warehouse Commission
in 1934 as Farmer-Labor. |
L/FL |
36 |
Osseo |
| 1933E |
Charles Munn |
L |
36 |
Osseo |
| 1931 |
Oscar A. Swenson |
C/R |
15 |
Nicollet |
| 1929 |
John A. Johnson |
C/R |
1 |
Preston |
| 1927 |
John A. Johnson |
C/R |
1 |
Preston |
| 1925 |
John A. Johnson |
C/R |
1 |
Preston (erroneously given as "Princeton"
in 1925 legislative manual) |
| 1923 |
William I. Nolan |
C/R |
33 |
Minneapolis |
| 1921 |
William I. Nolan |
C/R |
33 |
Minneapolis |
| 1919 |
William I. Nolan; "Although Conservative
members were in control of the Legislature-- there were 24 Representatives
and 8 Senators who were elected with the endorsement of the Nonpartisan
league ... 5 Senators and 11 Representatives of the 'Working People's
Nonpartisan Political League."--Christianson, Minnesota history,
v. 2, p. 371. |
C/R |
33 |
Minneapolis |
| 1919E |
William I. Nolan |
C/R |
33 |
Minneapolis |
| 1917 |
Ralph J. Parker |
C? |
1 |
Spring Valley |
| 1916E |
H. H. Flowers |
C/R |
17 |
Cleveland |
| 1915 |
H. H. Flowers |
C/R |
17 |
Cleveland |
| 1913 |
Henry Rines; "'Progressives' controlled
the organization of both houses"--Christianson, Minnesota history,
v. 2 p. 330. |
|
32 |
Mora |
| 1912E |
Howard H. Dunn |
R |
9 |
Fairmont |
| 1911 |
Howard H. Dunn |
R |
9 |
Fairmont |
| 1909 |
Anton J. Rockne (Anton Julius); "Governor
Eberhart was a Republican and his party now again in full control
of the Executive and Legislative branches of the state government."--Christian
son, Minnesota history, v. 2, p. 317. |
R |
29 |
Zumbrota |
| 1907 |
Lawrence H. Johnson; name given as Lawrence
W. in Minnesota in three centuries, v. 4,
p. 299, but as Lawrence H. on p. 298. |
R |
43 |
Minneapolis |
| 1905 |
Frank Clague; "Legislature remained
under Republican control" [during Gov. John A. Johnson's terms,
1905-1909]--Mitau, Politics in Minnesota, p. 9. |
R |
19 |
Lamberton |
| 1903 |
Leverett W. Babcock; "[From 1860 to
1904 the] state Legislature remained under Republican control except
for 1891 session"--Mitau, Politics in Minnesota, p. 6. Name given
(probably erroneously) as L. V. Babcock in Minnesota in three centuries,
v. 4, p. 282. |
R |
53 |
Wadena |
| 1902E |
Michael J. Dowling (Michael John) |
R |
22 |
Renville |
| 1901 |
Michael J. Dowling (Michael John) |
R |
22 |
Renville |
| 1899 |
Arthur N. Dare |
R |
45 |
Elk River |
| 1897 |
John D. Jones; Jones' service as speaker
shown as 1895 in Toensing |
R |
46 |
Long Prairie |
| 1895 |
Samuel R. Van Sant (Samuel Rinnah) |
|
15 |
Winona |
| 1893 |
William E. Lee (William Edward) |
R |
46 |
Long Prairie |
| 1891 |
Ezra T. Champlin; Democratic-Alliance
coalition--Minnesota history, Sept. 1957, p. 303. |
A |
10 |
Garden City |
| 1889 |
Charles H. Graves (Charles Hinman) |
R |
46 |
Duluth |
| 1887 |
William R. Merriam (William Rush) |
R |
26 |
St. Paul |
| 1885 |
John L. Gibbs |
R |
4 |
Geneva |
| 1883 |
Loren Fletcher |
R |
29 |
Minneapolis |
| 1881 |
Loren Fletcher |
R |
26 |
Minneapolis |
| 1881E |
Loren Fletcher |
R |
26 |
Minneapolis |
| 1879 |
Charles A. Gilman (Charles Andrew)
In Toensing, Gilman is shown as speaker in 1879 only. |
R |
31 |
St. Cloud |
| 1878 |
Charles A. Gilman (Charles Andrew) |
R |
31 |
St. Cloud |
| 1877 |
John L. Gibbs; John L. Gibbs' service as speaker
shown as 1876 in Toensing |
R |
5 |
Geneva |
| 1876 |
William R. Kinyon |
R |
12 |
Owatonna |
| 1875 |
William R. Kinyon |
R |
12 |
Owatonna |
| 1874 |
Albert R. Hall |
R? |
27 |
Dayton |
| 1873 |
Albert R. Hall |
R? |
27 |
Dayton |
| 1872 |
Albert R. Hall |
R? |
27 |
Dayton |
| 1871 |
John L. Merriam |
R |
1 |
St. Paul |
| 1870 |
John L. Merriam |
R |
1 |
St. Paul |
| 1869 |
Chester D. Davidson |
R |
5 |
Minneapolis |
| 1868 |
John Q. Farmer (John Quincy) |
W;R |
14 |
Spring Valley |
| 1867 |
John Q. Farmer (John Quincy) |
W;R |
14 |
Spring Valley |
| 1866 |
James B. Wakefield |
R |
20 |
Blue Earth City (Blue Earth, Winnebago
per Toensing) |
| 1865 |
Thomas H. Armstrong; Toensing shows
Armstrong as speaker 1864-1865 |
R |
12 |
High Forest |
| 1864 |
Jared Benson |
R |
4 |
Anoka |
| 1863 |
Charles D. Sherwood |
R |
14 |
Elkhorn |
| 1862 |
Jared Benson |
R |
4 |
Anoka |
| 1862E |
Jared Benson |
R |
4 |
Anoka |
| 1861 |
Jared Benson; given as a Democrat on
one list. |
R |
4 |
Anoka |
| 1859 |
Amos Coggswell; was in the Republican
constitutional convention in 1857, but in 1867 was Democratic candidate
for Minnesota secretary of state (Minnesota in three centuries,
v. 3, p. 47, 56, 447-448. |
R/D |
15 |
Aurora |
| 1858 |
George Bradley; 12 March 1858-
12 August 1858. He appears to be the youngest Speaker at around 24 to 26 years old when elected. |
R? |
7 |
Belle Plaine |
| 1857/1858 |
John S. Watrous; 2 Dec. 1857-
12 March 1858 |
R? |
26 |
|
*In 1979, the parties were evenly divided. An article from the January 8, 1979
Minneapolis Tribune described how the leadership of the Minnesota House would be
handled: "Under an agreement tentatively approved late Sunday, the Independent-Republicans
will elect the speaker of the House from their ranks. To balance his power, the DFL will
get the chairmanship - and a one-vote majority - of both the rules and tax committees; the
DFL will also get the chairmanship of the appropriations committee."