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    Gustafson, James "Jim"

    Sessions Served    Other Information

    Senate 1985-92 (District 8)

    Party when first elected:  Independent Republican

    Counties Served:  Carlton, St. Louis

    BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

    Date of Birth: 9/8/1938
    Birth Place: ,
    Birth County:
    Birth Country:
    Date of Death: 7/23/2014
    Gender: Male
    Religion:
    Reported Minority: None Reported
    Other Names: Jim
    City of Residence (when first elected): Duluth
    Occupation (when first elected): Businessman

    EDUCATION

    Ohio Wesleyan University; B.A.; Economics and History

    OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

    Municipal Council/Aldermen: Duluth, Minnesota (City Council); 19?? to 19??
    State Agency: Minnesota Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (Commissioner); 1992 to ? [Appointed]

    FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

    Spouse: Patricia (died in 2004)
    Children: Three children: Eric, Steve, and Jill
    Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
    Earl B. Gustafson  - Brother
    Ben E. Gustafson  - Nephew

    GENERAL NOTES

    Special Legislative Concerns: taxes, jobs, economic development.

    Most recent term photo
    Click to view
    Total Days Served: 2656

    SESSIONS SERVED

    77th Legislative Session (1991-1992)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/8/1991
    Body: Senate
    District: 08
    Elected: 11/6/1990
    Residence: Duluth
    Term of Office: 1/7/1991 to 5/20/1992 (unfinished term)
    Oath Date: 1/8/1991
    Counties Represented: Carlton, St. Louis
    Occupation: Businessman
    Party: Independent Republican
    Committees:
    • Economic Development and Housing
    • Employment
    • Energy and Public Utilities
    • Taxes and Tax Laws
    • Taxes and Tax Laws: Income, Sales, and Economic Development Division
    • Taxes and Tax Laws: Property Taxes and Local Government Aids Division
    Reason for unfinished term: Appointed to other office
    Session Notes: He was appointed to the position of Commissioner on the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board. No special election was held for this seat.
    term photo
    Click to view

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

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/3/1989
    Body: Senate
    District: 08
    Elected: 11/4/1986
    Residence: Duluth
    Term of Office: 1/5/1987 to 1/6/1991
    Oath Date: 1/6/1987
    Counties Represented: Carlton, St. Louis
    Occupation: Businessman
    Party: Independent Republican
    Committees:
    • Economic Development and Housing
    • Employment
    • Public Utilities and Energy
    • Public Utilities and Energy: Utilities
    • Taxes and Tax Laws
    • Taxes and Tax Laws: Economic Development
    • 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: 08
    Elected: 11/4/1986
    Residence: Duluth
    Term of Office: 1/5/1987 to 1/6/1991
    Oath Date: 1/6/1987
    Counties Represented: Carlton, St. Louis
    Occupation: Businessman
    Party: Independent Republican
    Committees:
    • Economic Development and Housing
    • Employment
    • Public Utilities and Energy
    • Public Utilities and Energy: Deregulated Industries
    • Taxes and Tax Laws
    • Taxes and Tax Laws: Property Taxes and Local Government Aids

    74th Legislative Session (1985-1986) (second half of Senate term)

      Session Details   Convened Date: 1/8/1985
    Body: Senate
    District: 08
    Elected: 2/5/1985
    Residence: Duluth
    Term of Office: 2/11/1985 to 1/4/1987 (Special Election)
    Oath Date: 2/11/1985
    Counties Represented: Carlton, St. Louis
    Occupation: Businessman
    Party: Independent Republican
    Committees:
    • Agriculture and Natural Resources
    • Agriculture and Natural Resources: Environmental Protection
    • Agriculture and Natural Resources: Public Lands and Waters
    • Employment
    • Public Utilities and State Regulated Industries
    Session Notes: He won the Senate special election held due to the resignation of James Ulland. He was sworn in on February 11, 1985.
    term photo
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    OTHER INFORMATION

    Articles & Books About

    • Passi, Peter. "Gustafson Was Well-Liked, Willing to Work Across the Aisle." Duluth News Tribune, July 27, 2014.

    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.
    These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.

    Photographs

    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.
    Senator James Gustafson speaks during a committee hearing, St. Paul, Minnesota. c. 1986. Photo credit: This image was scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library.

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