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Carlson, Sr., Lyndon R.

House 1973-1982 (District 44A); House 1983-2002 (District 46B); House 2003-2012 (District 45B); House 2013-2020 (District 45A)

Party when first elected:  Nonpartisan Election-Democratic-Farmer-Labor Caucus

Counties Served:  Hennepin

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 4/18/1940
Birth Place: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Birth County: Hennepin
Birth Country: United States
Date of Death:
Gender: Male
Religion: Congregational
Reported Minority: None Reported
Other Names:
City of Residence (when first elected): Brooklyn Center
Occupation (when first elected): Social Studies Teacher and Coach; Henry High School, Minneapolis

EDUCATION

Bloomington High School; Secondary; Graduate, 1958
Minnesota State University, Mankato; B.S.; Education and Social Studies, 1964
Minnesota State University, Mankato; Attended Graduate School;
University of St. Thomas; Attended Graduate School;

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Carole Moss (married on December 7, 1968)
Children: Three children: Tonya (daughter); Lyndon "Lyn" Jr., and Philip (sons)
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

He was a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.

He has never missed a legislative day (June, 2015). He had "24 terms, spanning 48 years, with perfect attendance" (Session Daily, May 18, 2020).

He is the longest serving legislator. Rep. Lyndon Carlson is followed by Rep. Mary Murphy. Three legislators are tied for third longest serving legislator: Rep. Phyllis Kahn, Sen. Anton J. Rockne, and Rep. Carl Iverson.

He did not seek reelection in 2020.

He was a member of Cross of Glory Lutheran Church in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Religion was listed as Lutheran by the Catholic Bulletin, 3/21/1975 and Minnesota Legislative Manual, 1975-76, 1977-78, and 1979-80. The Natural Resources Defense Council's State Directories 2005 and Politics in Minnesota the Directory, 2005-2006 list him as Congregational.

Total Days Served: 17536

SESSIONS SERVED

91st Legislative Session (2019-2020)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 45A
Elected: 11/6/2018
Residence: Crystal
Term of Office: 1/7/2019 to 1/3/2021
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Retired Teacher
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
  • Rules and Legislative Administration Minutes
  • Rules and Legislative Administration: Subcommittee on Legislative Process Reform Minutes
  • Taxes Minutes
  • Ways & Means (Chair) Minutes
  • Ways & Means: Agriculture and Food Finance & Policy Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Ways & Means: Capital Investment Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Ways & Means: Corrections Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Ways & Means: Education Finance Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Ways & Means: Education Finance Division/Health and Human Services Finance Division: Early Childhood Finance and Policy Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Ways & Means: Energy and Climate Finance & Policy Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Ways & Means: Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Ways & Means: Greater Minnesota Jobs and Economic Development Finance Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Ways & Means: Health and Human Services Finance Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Ways & Means: Higher Education Finance & Policy Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Ways & Means: Housing Finance & Policy Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Ways & Means: Jobs and Economic Development Finance Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Ways & Means: Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Ways & Means: Legacy Finance Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Ways & Means: Long-Term Care Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Ways & Means: Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Finance & Policy Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Ways & Means: State Government Finance Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Ways & Means: Transportation Finance & Policy Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Ways & Means: Veterans and Military Affairs Finance & Policy Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Ways & Means: Water Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member

90th Legislative Session (2017-2018)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 45A
Elected: 11/8/2016
Residence: Crystal
Term of Office: 1/2/2017 to 1/6/2019
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Retired Teacher
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:     2017 1st Sp.S. - Author
Committees:

89th Legislative Session (2015-2016)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 45A
Elected: 11/4/2014
Residence: Crystal
Term of Office: 1/5/2015 to 1/1/2017
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Retired Teacher
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:     2015 1st Sp.S. - Author
Committees:

88th Legislative Session (2013-2014)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 45A
Elected: 11/6/2012
Residence: Crystal
Term of Office: 1/7/2013 to 1/4/2015
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Retired Teacher
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:     2013 1st Sp.S. - Author
Committees:
  • Capital Investment Minutes
  • Commerce and Consumer Protection Finance and Policy Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Education Finance Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Finance Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Health and Human Services Finance Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Higher Education Finance and Policy Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Housing Finance and Policy Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Jobs and Economic Development Finance and Policy Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Judiciary Finance and Policy Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Public Safety Finance and Policy Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Rules and Legislative Administration Minutes
  • State Government Finance and Veterans Affairs Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Taxes Minutes
  • Taxes: Property and Local Tax Division Minutes
  • Transportation Finance Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Ways and Means (Chair) Minutes

87th Legislative Session (2011-2012)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 45B
Elected: 11/2/2010
Residence: Crystal
Term of Office: 1/3/2011 to 1/6/2013
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Retired Teacher
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
  • Capital Investment Minutes
  • Education Reform Minutes [He was a member until February 22, 2011.]
  • Taxes Minutes [He became a member on February 22, 2011.]
  • Ways and Means Minutes

86th Legislative Session (2009-2010)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 45B
Elected: 11/4/2008
Residence: Crystal
Term of Office: 1/5/2009 to 1/2/2011
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Retired Teacher
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
  • Finance (Chair) Minutes
  • Finance: Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Finance Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Finance: Capital Investment Finance Division Minutes
  • Finance: Cultural and Outdoor Resources Finance Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Finance: Early Childhood Finance and Policy Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Finance: Energy Finance and Policy Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Finance: Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Finance: Health Care and Human Services Finance Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Finance: Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Finance: Housing Finance and Policy and Public Health Finance Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Finance: K-12 Education Finance Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Finance: Public Safety Finance Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Finance: State Government Finance Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Finance: Transportation Finance and Policy Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Rules and Legislative Administration Minutes
  • Taxes Minutes
  • Ways and Means Minutes

85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 45B
Elected: 11/7/2006
Residence: Crystal
Term of Office: 1/1/2007 to 1/4/2009
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Retired Teacher
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
  • Finance (Chair) Minutes
  • Finance: Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Finance Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Finance: Capital Investment Finance Division Minutes
  • Finance: Education Finance and Economic Competitiveness Finance Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Finance: Energy Finance and Policy Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Finance: Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Finance: Health Care and Human Services Finance Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Finance: Housing Policy and Finance and Public Health Finance Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Finance: Minnesota Heritage Finance Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Finance: Public Safety Finance Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Finance: State Government Finance Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Finance: Transportation Finance Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Rules and Legislative Administration Minutes
  • Taxes Minutes
  • Ways and Means Minutes

84th Legislative Session (2005-2006)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 45B
Elected: 11/2/2004
Residence: Crystal
Term of Office: 1/4/2005 to 1/2/2007
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Retired Teacher
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:  2005 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author    2005 1st Sp.S. - Author
Committees:

83rd Legislative Session (2003-2004)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 45B
Elected: 11/5/2002
Residence: Robbinsdale
Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/3/2005
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Retired Teacher
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:     2003 1st Sp.S. - Author
Committees:

82nd Legislative Session (2001-2002)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 46B
Elected: 11/7/2000
Residence: Crystal
Term of Office: 1/3/2001 to 1/6/2003
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Retired Teacher
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader

81st Legislative Session (1999-2000)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 46B
Elected: 11/3/1998
Residence: Crystal
Term of Office: 1/5/1999 to 1/2/2001
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Teacher
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
  • Education Policy Minutes
  • Governmental Operations and Veterans Affairs Policy Minutes
  • Higher Education Finance Minutes
  • Ways and Means Minutes
Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader

80th Legislative Session (1997-1998)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 46B
Elected: 11/5/1996
Residence: Crystal
Term of Office: 1/7/1997 to 1/4/1999
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Teacher
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
  • Capital Investment - Ex Officio Member
  • Education (Chair) Minutes
  • Education: Education Planning and Transitions Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Education: Facilities Minutes - Ex Officio Member
  • Education: Family and Early Childhood Education Finance Division Minutes
  • Education: Higher Education Finance Division Minutes
  • Education: K-12 Education Finance Division Minutes
  • Education: Quality Initiatives Minutes
  • Financial Institutions and Insurance Minutes
  • Ways and Means

79th Legislative Session (1995-1996)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 46B
Elected: 11/8/1994
Residence: Crystal
Term of Office: 1/3/1995 to 1/6/1997
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Teacher
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
  • Capital Investment - Ex Officio Member
  • Education (Chair)
  • Education: Higher Education Finance Division
  • Education: K-12 Education Finance Division
  • Education: University of Minnesota Finance Division
  • Financial Institutions and Insurance
  • Rules and Legislative Administration: Personnel (Chair)
  • Ways and Means

78th Legislative Session (1993-1994)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 46B
Elected: 11/3/1992
Residence: Crystal
Term of Office: 1/5/1993 to 1/2/1995
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Teacher
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
  • Education (Chair)
  • Education: Higher Education Finance Division
  • Education: K-12 Education Finance Division
  • Education: K-12 Education Finance Division: Education Reform
  • Financial Institutions and Insurance
  • Financial Institutions and Insurance: Insurance
  • Rules and Legislative Administration
  • Rules and Legislative Administration: Personnel (Chair)
  • Ways and Means

77th Legislative Session (1991-1992)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 46B
Elected: 11/6/1990
Residence: Crystal
Term of Office: 1/8/1991 to 1/4/1993
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Teacher
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
  • Appropriations
  • Appropriations: Education Division (Chair)
  • Economic Development
  • Economic Development: International Trade and Technology Division
  • Economic Development: Quality Workforce and Competitiveness
  • Financial Institutions and Insurance
  • Rules and Legislative Administration
  • Ways and Means

76th Legislative Session (1989-1990)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 46B
Elected: 11/8/1988
Residence: Crystal
Term of Office: 1/3/1989 to 1/7/1991
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Teacher
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
  • Appropriations
  • Appropriations: Computer
  • Appropriations: Education Division (Chair)
  • Economic Development
  • Economic Development: International Trade and Technology Division
  • Financial Institutions and Housing
  • Financial Institutions and Housing: Banking
  • Rules and Legislative Administration
  • Ways and Means

75th Legislative Session (1987-1988)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 46B
Elected: 11/4/1986
Residence: Crystal
Term of Office: 1/6/1987 to 1/2/1989
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Social Studies Teacher
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
  • Appropriations
  • Appropriations: Education Division (Chair)
  • Economic Development and Housing
  • Economic Development and Housing: Job Development and Training
  • Financial Institutions and Insurance
  • Financial Institutions and Insurance: Financial Institutions
  • Ways and Means

74th Legislative Session (1985-1986)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 46B
Elected: 11/6/1984
Residence: Crystal
Term of Office: 1/8/1985 to 1/5/1987
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Teacher
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
  • Appropriations
  • Appropriations: Education Division
  • Commerce and Economic Development
  • Commerce and Economic Development: Commerce and Regulation
  • Commerce and Economic Development: Housing and Consumer Protection
  • Financial Institutions and Insurance

73rd Legislative Session (1983-1984)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 46B
Elected: 11/2/1982
Residence: Crystal
Term of Office: 1/4/1983 to 1/7/1985
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Teacher
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
  • Appropriations
  • Appropriations: Education Division (Chair)
  • Health and Welfare
  • Health and Welfare: Health Care
  • Labor-Management Relations
  • Labor-Management Relations: General Labor Legislation

72nd Legislative Session (1981-1982)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 44A
Elected: 11/4/1980
Residence: Brooklyn Center
Term of Office: 1/6/1981 to 1/3/1983
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Social Studies Teacher
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
  • Appropriations
  • Appropriations: Education Division (Chair)
  • Health and Welfare
  • Health and Welfare: Health Care
  • Labor-Management Relations
  • Labor-Management Relations: Workers Compensation
  • Reapportionment and Elections

71st Legislative Session (1979-1980)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 44A
Elected: 11/7/1978
Residence: Brooklyn Center
Term of Office: 1/3/1979 to 1/5/1981
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Social Studies Teacher
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
  • Education
  • Education: Higher Education Division (Chair) [He was the Chair in 1980 only.]
  • General Legislation and Veterans Affairs
  • General Legislation and Veterans Affairs: General Law and Veterans Affairs (Chair)
  • Labor-Management Relations
  • Labor-Management Relations: Negotiation, General Labor and Legislation
  • Rules and Legislative Administration
  • Rules and Legislative Administration: Rules

70th Legislative Session (1977-1978)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 44A
Elected: 11/2/1976
Residence: Brooklyn Center
Term of Office: 1/4/1977 to 1/2/1979
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Social Studies Teacher; Henry High School, Minneapolis
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
  • Education
  • Health and Welfare
  • Labor-Management Relations

69th Legislative Session (1975-1976)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 44A
Elected: 11/5/1974
Residence: Brooklyn Center
Term of Office: 1/7/1975 to 1/3/1977
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Social Studies Teacher; Patrick Henry High School, Minneapolis
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
  • Education
  • Health and Welfare
  • Judiciary

68th Legislative Session (1973-1974)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 44A
Elected: 11/7/1972
Residence: Brooklyn Center
Term of Office: 1/2/1973 to 1/6/1975
Counties Represented: Hennepin
Occupation: Social Studies Teacher and Coach; Henry High School, Minneapolis
Party: Nonpartisan Election-Democratic-Farmer-Labor Caucus
Committees:
  • Environmental Preservation and Natural Resources
  • Health and Welfare
  • Judiciary
  • Taxes
Session Interviews
Session Interview (Video) 2018 House Interview

Session Interview (Video) 2016 House Interview

Session Interview (Video) 2014 House Interview

Session Interview (Video) 2010 House Interview

Session Interview (Video) 2008 House Interview

Session Interview (Video) 2006 House Interview

Session Interview (Video) 2005 House Interview

Session Interview (Video) 2003 House Interview


Video
2020 Departing House Member Speeches (Video) 2020


Articles & Books About
Schutz, Lee Ann. "Been There, Done That. House Finance Chair, Former Governor Reflect on Previous Budget Problem." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, January 30, 2009, p. 12-13.


District Files

District File - 2000 District 46B
District File - 2002 District 46B
District File - 2003 District 45B
District File - 2004 District 45B
District File - 2005 District 45B
District File - 2006 District 45B
District File - 2007 District 45B
District File - 2008 District 45B
District File - 2009 District 45B
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.