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    Leighton, Jr., Robert "Rob"

    Sessions Served    Other Information

    House 1995-2002 (District 27B)

    Party when first elected:  Democratic-Farmer-Labor

    Counties Served:  Mower

    BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

    Date of Birth: 7/7/1965
    Birth Place: Austin, Minnesota
    Birth County: Mower
    Birth Country: United States
    Date of Death:
    Gender: Male
    Religion:
    Reported Minority: None Reported
    Other Names: Rob
    City of Residence (when first elected): Austin
    Occupation (when first elected): Attorney

    EDUCATION

    University of Minnesota; B.A.; Economics
    University of California, Berkeley; J.D.; 1991

    OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

    FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

    Spouse: Single (when first elected); Shawn (first listed in 1997)
    Children: Two children: Tanner and Taylor (sons, twins, born while he was in office)
    Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

    GENERAL NOTES

    His father, Robert Leighton Sr., ran unsuccessfully for the Minnesota Senate in the 1958 election.

    Most recent term photo
    Click to view
    Total Days Served: 2926

    SESSIONS SERVED

    82nd Legislative Session (2001-2002)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 27B
    Elected: 11/7/2000
    Residence: Austin
    Term of Office: 1/3/2001 to 1/6/2003
    Counties Represented: Mower
    Occupation: Attorney
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Special Session Bills Authored:     2002 1st Sp.S. - Author
    Committees:
    • Commerce, Jobs, and Economic Development Minutes
    • Taxes Minutes
    • Taxes: Sales and Income Tax Division Minutes
    term photo
    Click to view

    81st Legislative Session (1999-2000)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 27B
    Elected: 11/3/1998
    Residence: Austin
    Term of Office: 1/5/1999 to 1/2/2001
    Counties Represented: Mower
    Occupation: Attorney
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Civil Law
    • Jobs and Economic Development Policy Minutes
    • Rules and Legislative Administration Minutes
    • Taxes Minutes
    Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader

    80th Legislative Session (1997-1998)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 27B
    Elected: 11/5/1996
    Residence: Austin
    Term of Office: 1/7/1997 to 1/4/1999
    Counties Represented: Mower
    Occupation: Attorney
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Education Minutes
    • Education: K-12 Education Finance Division Minutes
    • Education: Quality Initiatives Minutes
    • Judiciary
    • Judiciary: Civil and Family Law Division
    • Judiciary: DWI
    • Labor-Management Relations
    • Rules and Legislative Administration
    Leadership Position: Assistant Majority Leader

    79th Legislative Session (1995-1996)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 27B
    Elected: 11/8/1994
    Residence: Austin
    Term of Office: 1/3/1995 to 1/6/1997
    Counties Represented: Mower
    Occupation: Attorney
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Economic Development, Infrastructure and Regulation Finance
    • Economic Development, Infrastructure and Regulation Finance: Transportation Finance Division
    • Environment and Natural Resources
    • International Trade and Economic Development
    • Labor-Management Relations
    term photo
    Click to view

    OTHER INFORMATION

    Articles & Books About
    Hilton, Lisa. "Where His Heart Is: After Years Away from Hometown and Labor Roots, Rep. Rob Leighton Plans to Spend More Time with Austin Family." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, March 22, 2002, p. 22.

    Thilmany, Jean. "Leighton Brings Family's DFL Tradition to House." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, January 20, 1995, p. 18.


    District Files

    District File - 2000 District 27B
    District File - 2002 District 27B
    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.

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