Name Search:

Cohen, Richard J. "Dick"

Sessions Served

Other Information

House 1977-78 (District 63B); House 1983-86 (District 64B); Senate 1987-2012 (District 64); Senate 2013-2020 (District 64)

Party when first elected: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Counties Served: Ramsey

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 12/10/1949

Birth Place: Saint Paul, Minnesota

Birth County: Ramsey

Birth Country: United States

Date of Death:

Gender: Male

Religion: Jewish

Reported Minority: None Reported

Other Names: Dick

City of Residence (when first elected): Saint Paul

Occupation (when first elected): Attorney, Hennepin County Public Defender

EDUCATION

Highland Park High School; Secondary;
Northwestern University; B.A.;
William Mitchell College of Law; J.D.; 1975

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

State Public Defender/Office: Hennepin County, Minnesota (Public Defender); 19?? to ?

U.S. Executive Branch: President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities (Appointed by President Barack Obama); 11/03/2009 to 08/18/2017 [Appointed]

State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota State Arts Board; 06/01/2021 to ?

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Single
Children:

Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

Special Legislative Concerns: finance, taxes, civil liberties, courts and justice, economic development.

He did not seek reelection in 2020.

Early in his tenure in the Senate, he founded the Legislative Arts Caucus. He chaired the National Conference of State Legislatures' Arts, Tourism, and Cultural Resources Commission and served on Americans for the Arts' National Policy Board.

He was a member of Mount Zion Temple.

Religion according to Jewish Community Relations Council and the Minnesota Legislative Manual, 1977-78.

Click to view

Total Days Served: 14609

SESSIONS SERVED

91st Legislative Session (2019-2020) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/2019

Body: Senate

District: 64

Elected: 11/8/2016

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/2/2017 to 1/3/2021
Oath Date: 1/3/2017

Counties Represented: Ramsey

Occupation: Attorney

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2020 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author    2020 1st Sp.S. - Author
2020 5th Sp.S. - Chief Author    2020 5th Sp.S. - Author
2020 7th Sp.S. - Chief Author    2020 7th Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Finance
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Rules and Administration

Click to view

90th Legislative Session (2017-2018)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2017

Body: Senate

District: 64

Elected: 11/8/2016

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/2/2017 to 1/3/2021
Oath Date: 1/3/2017

Counties Represented: Ramsey

Occupation: Attorney

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Finance
Higher Education Finance and Policy
Rules and Administration

Click to view

89th Legislative Session (2015-2016) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/2015

Body: Senate

District: 64

Elected: 11/6/2012

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/7/2013 to 1/1/2017
Oath Date: 1/8/2013

Counties Represented: Ramsey

Occupation: Attorney

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2015 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2015 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Capital Investment
Finance (Chair)
Finance: State Departments and Veterans Budget Division
Finance: Subcommittee on Legacy (Chair)
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Committees Subcommittee
Rules and Administration: Litigation Expenses Subcommittee (Chair)
Rules and Administration: Subcommittee on Elections

Click to view

88th Legislative Session (2013-2014)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/2013

Body: Senate

District: 64

Elected: 11/6/2012

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/7/2013 to 1/1/2017
Oath Date: 1/8/2013

Counties Represented: Ramsey

Occupation: Attorney

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2013 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2013 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Capital Investment
Finance (Chair)
Finance: Judiciary Division
Finance: State Departments and Veterans Division
Finance: Subcommittee on Legacy (Chair)
Judiciary
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Elections
Rules and Administration: Subcommittee on Litigation Expenses

Click to view

87th Legislative Session (2011-2012)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/2011

Body: Senate

District: 64

Elected: 11/2/2010

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/3/2011 to 1/6/2013
Oath Date: 1/4/2011

Counties Represented: Ramsey

Occupation: Attorney

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Finance
Jobs and Economic Growth
Rules and Administration
State Government Innovation and Veterans

Click to view

86th Legislative Session (2009-2010) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/2009

Body: Senate

District: 64

Elected: 11/7/2006

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/1/2007 to 1/2/2011
Oath Date: 1/3/2007

Counties Represented: Ramsey

Occupation: Attorney; Personal Injury, Private Practice

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2010 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2010 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Capital Investment
Finance (Chair)
Finance: Economic Development and Housing Budget Division
Finance: Higher Education Budget and Policy Division
Finance: Judiciary Budget Division
Higher Education
Rules and Administration

Click to view

85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2007

Body: Senate

District: 64

Elected: 11/7/2006

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/1/2007 to 1/2/2011
Oath Date: 1/3/2007

Counties Represented: Ramsey

Occupation: Attorney, St. Paul

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Capital Investment
Finance (Chair)
Finance: Economic Development Budget Division
Finance: Higher Education Budget and Policy Division
Finance: Judiciary Budget Division
Higher Education
Rules and Administration

Click to view

84th Legislative Session (2005-2006) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/2005

Body: Senate

District: 64

Elected: 11/5/2002

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/6/2003 to 12/31/2006
Oath Date: 1/7/2003

Counties Represented: Ramsey

Occupation: Attorney

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:

Capital Investment
Finance (Chair)
Finance: Environment, Agriculture and Economic Development Budget Division
Finance: Public Safety Budget Division
Finance: State Government Budget Division
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Senate Audit
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget

Click to view

83rd Legislative Session (2003-2004)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/7/2003

Body: Senate

District: 64

Elected: 11/5/2002

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/6/2003 to 12/31/2006
Oath Date: 1/7/2003

Counties Represented: Ramsey

Occupation: Attorney

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2003 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2003 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Capital Investment
Finance (Chair)
Finance: Environment, Agriculture and Economic Development Budget Division
Finance: State Government Budget Division
Judiciary
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Senate Audit
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget

Click to view

82nd Legislative Session (2001-2002)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2001

Body: Senate

District: 64

Elected: 11/7/2000

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/1/2001 to 1/5/2003
Oath Date: 1/3/2001

Counties Represented: Ramsey

Occupation: Attorney

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2001 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2001 1st Sp.S. - Author
2002 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2002 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Capital Investment
Education
Education: Higher Education Budget Division
Finance
Finance: State Government, Economic Development and Judiciary Budget Division (Chair)
Judiciary
Judiciary: Family Law
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Redistricting
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget

Click to view

81st Legislative Session (1999-2000) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/5/1999

Body: Senate

District: 64

Elected: 11/5/1996

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/6/1997 to 12/31/2000
Oath Date: 1/7/1997

Counties Represented: Ramsey

Occupation: Attorney

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Commerce
Commerce: Banking
Governmental Operations and Veterans
Governmental Operations and Veterans: Veterans
Governmental Operations and Veterans/Election Laws/State Gov't. Finance Comm.: Governmental Operations Budget Division
Judiciary
Judiciary: Family Law
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget
State Government Finance (Chair)

80th Legislative Session (1997-1998)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/7/1997

Body: Senate

District: 64

Elected: 11/5/1996

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/6/1997 to 12/31/2000
Oath Date: 1/7/1997

Counties Represented: Ramsey

Occupation: Attorney

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Commerce
Commerce: Banking
Governmental Operations and Veterans
Governmental Operations and Veterans: Veterans
Governmental Operations and Veterans/Election Laws/State Gov't. Finance Comm.: Governmental Operations Budget Division
Judiciary
Judiciary: Family Law
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget
State Government Finance (Chair)

79th Legislative Session (1995-1996) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/1995

Body: Senate

District: 64

Elected: 11/3/1992

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/4/1993 to 1/5/1997
Oath Date: 1/5/1993

Counties Represented: Ramsey

Occupation: Attorney

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Crime Prevention
Crime Prevention: Crime Prevention Finance Division
Ethics and Campaign Reform
Finance
Finance: Finance State Government Division (Chair)
Judiciary
Judiciary: Family Law

Click to view

78th Legislative Session (1993-1994)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/5/1993

Body: Senate

District: 64

Elected: 11/3/1992

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/4/1993 to 1/5/1997
Oath Date: 1/5/1993

Counties Represented: Ramsey

Occupation: Attorney

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Crime Prevention
Ethics and Campaign Reform
Finance
Finance: Finance State Government Division (Chair)
Judiciary
Judiciary: Family Law

77th Legislative Session (1991-1992)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/1991

Body: Senate

District: 64

Elected: 11/6/1990

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/7/1991 to 1/3/1993
Oath Date: 1/8/1991

Counties Represented: Ramsey

Occupation: Attorney

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Commerce
Commerce: Banking
Commerce: Insurance
Elections and Ethics
Finance
Finance: Economic and State Affairs Division
Judiciary
Judiciary: Civil Law Division (Chair)
Judiciary: Privacy
Metropolitan Affairs
Redistricting

Click to view

76th Legislative Session (1989-1990) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/1989

Body: Senate

District: 64

Elected: 11/4/1986

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/5/1987 to 1/6/1991
Oath Date: 1/6/1987

Counties Represented: Ramsey

Occupation: Attorney

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Commerce
Commerce: Consumer Protection
Commerce: Insurance
Economic Development and Housing
Elections and Ethics
Judiciary
Judiciary: Civil Law Division
Judiciary: Privacy (Chair)
Taxes and Tax Laws
Taxes and Tax Laws: Property Taxes and Local Government Aids Division

75th Legislative Session (1987-1988)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/1987

Body: Senate

District: 64

Elected: 11/4/1986

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/5/1987 to 1/6/1991
Oath Date: 1/6/1987

Counties Represented: Ramsey

Occupation: Attorney

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Commerce
Commerce: Insurance
Economic Development and Housing
Judiciary
Judiciary: Civil Law Division
Judiciary: Privacy (Chair)
Taxes and Tax Laws
Taxes and Tax Laws: Property Taxes and Local Government Aids

Click to view

74th Legislative Session (1985-1986)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/1985

Body: House

District: 64B

Elected: 11/6/1984

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/7/1985 to 1/4/1987
Oath Date: 1/8/1985

Counties Represented: Ramsey

Occupation: Attorney

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Appropriations
Appropriations: State Departments Division
Judiciary
Judiciary: Civil Laws and Administration
Regulated Industries and Energy
Regulated Industries and Energy: Energy

Click to view

73rd Legislative Session (1983-1984)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/1983

Body: House

District: 64B

Elected: 11/2/1982

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/3/1983 to 1/6/1985
Oath Date: 1/4/1983

Counties Represented: Ramsey

Occupation: Attorney

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Appropriations
Appropriations: State Departments Division
Judiciary
Judiciary: Judicial Administration
Judiciary: Law Reform
Local and Urban Affairs
Local and Urban Affairs: Physical and Economic Development

Session Notes: His margin of victory over John Drew was only 14 votes so a recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 118 votes.

70th Legislative Session (1977-1978)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/1977

Body: House

District: 63B

Elected: 11/2/1976

Residence: Saint Paul

Term of Office: 1/3/1977 to 12/31/1978
Oath Date: 1/4/1977

Counties Represented: Ramsey

Occupation: Attorney, Hennepin County Public Defender

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Criminal Justice
Governmental Operations
Higher Education

Ran in next election? Yes. Defeated in general election

Click to view

OTHER INFORMATION

News Sources

The Library maintains newspaper clippings on individual legislators during their terms. Clippings are available from 1973 to the present in a variety of formats: 1973-1999, microfiche available at the Library; 2000-2009, scanned in yearly compilations and digitally available on the legislative network; 2009-present, archived in a searchable database maintained by the Library and available on the legislative network.

District News Files

2000 (64)

2001 (64)

2002 (64)

2003 (64)

2004 (64)

2005 (64)

2006 (64)

2007 (64)

2008 (64)

2009 (64)

These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.

Photographs

Carla Nelson and Richard Cohen discuss senate business on the Senate Floor. Carla Nelson is a Republican from Rochester and Richard Cohen is a Demcrat from St. Paul. 3/29/2018. Photo credit: David Oakes, Senate Media Services.

Senator Dick Cohen testifies during a committee hearing, St. Paul, Minnesota. c. 1993. Photo credit: This image was scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library.

Senator Larry Pogemiller, Senator Dick Cohen, Senate staff person Vic Moore, and Senator Roger Moe talk during a Senate floor session, St. Paul, Minnesota. c. 1993. Photo credit: This image was scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library.

Senator Dick Cohen, Senator Ember Reichgott Junge and Senator Donna Peterson converse outside the Senate Chamber, St. Paul, Minnesota. c. 1987-1990. Photo credit: This image was scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library.

Swearing-in ceremony in the Senate Chamber during the opening day of the 1987 legislative session, St. Paul, Minnesota. 1/6/1987. Photo credit: This image was scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library.

Legislators Past & Present Home

Name Search:

Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, 321 State Capitol, Saint Paul, MN 55155