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Pariseau, Patricia "Pat"

Sessions Served

Other Information

Senate 1989-2002 (District 37); Senate 2003-2010 (District 36)

Party when first elected: Independent Republican

Counties Served: Dakota, Goodhue, Scott, Washington

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 8/10/1936

Birth Place: Saint Paul, Minnesota

Birth County: Ramsey

Birth Country: United States

Date of Death: 11/13/2020

Gender: Female

Religion: Catholic

Reported Minority: None Reported

Other Names: Pat

City of Residence (when first elected): Farmington

Occupation (when first elected): U.S. Senate Aide/Farm Wife

EDUCATION

Johnson High School; Secondary;
Ravenswood Hospital School of Nursing, Chicago; R.N.;

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

U.S. Legislative Staff/Council/Commission: United States Senate (Aide for United States Senator Rudy Boschwitz in His St. Paul Office); 19?? to 19??

School Board/Administration: Farmington, Minnesota (School Board Member); 19?? to 19??

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Kenneth "Ken" (he died while she was still in office, no longer listed in 2006); Widow
Children: Six children
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

Special Legislative Concerns: taxes, health issues, agriculture, business and jobs, environment and sporting issues, airport planning, natural resources, corrections.

She is known for her efforts with the high-profile concealed carry gun permit bill.

Religion provided by the Natural Resources Defense Council's State Directories 2005 and Politics in Minnesota the Directory, 2005-2006.

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Total Days Served: 8036

SESSIONS SERVED

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

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 36

Elected: 11/7/2006

Residence: Farmington

Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 1/3/2011

Counties Represented: Dakota, Goodhue

Occupation: Retired Registered Nurse

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources: Public Lands and Waters
Finance
Finance: Economic Development and Housing Budget Division
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division: Natural Resources
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division: Parks and Trails Legacy
Judiciary

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85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 36

Elected: 11/7/2006

Residence: Farmington

Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 1/3/2011

Counties Represented: Dakota, Goodhue

Occupation: Retired Registered Nurse

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources: Public Lands and Waters
Finance
Finance: Economic Development Budget Division
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division: Natural Resources
Judiciary [She served in 2008 only.]

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

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 36

Elected: 11/5/2002

Residence: Farmington

Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/2/2007

Counties Represented: Dakota, Goodhue

Occupation: Business Owner/Farm Wife

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2005 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2005 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Elections
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources: Game and Fish
Finance
Finance: Environment, Agriculture and Economic Development Budget Division
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Elections
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules
Rules and Administration: Personnel

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83rd Legislative Session (2003-2004)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 36

Elected: 11/5/2002

Residence: Farmington

Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/2/2007

Counties Represented: Dakota, Goodhue

Occupation: Business Owner/Farm Wife

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

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

Committees:

Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources: Game and Fish
Finance
Finance: Environment, Agriculture and Economic Development Budget Division
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules
Rules and Administration: Personnel

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82nd Legislative Session (2001-2002)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 37

Elected: 11/7/2000

Residence: Farmington

Term of Office: 1/3/2001 to 1/6/2003

Counties Represented: Dakota, Goodhue, Scott

Occupation: Business Owner/Farm Wife

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

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

Committees:

Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources: Fish and Wildlife
Finance
Finance: Environment and Agriculture Budget Division
Health and Family Security
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Telecommunications, Energy and Utilities

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

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 37

Elected: 11/5/1996

Residence: Farmington

Term of Office: 1/7/1997 to 1/2/2001

Counties Represented: Dakota, Goodhue, Scott

Occupation: Business Owner/Farm Wife

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources/Agriculture and Rural Development/State Government Finance: Environment and Agriculture Budget Division
Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Housing and Economic Development
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Telecommunications and Technology
Local and Metropolitan Government
Taxes
Taxes/Local and Metropolitan Government: Property Taxes and Local Government Budget Division

80th Legislative Session (1997-1998)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 37

Elected: 11/5/1996

Residence: Farmington

Term of Office: 1/7/1997 to 1/2/2001

Counties Represented: Dakota, Goodhue, Scott

Occupation: Business/Farm Wife

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources/Agriculture and Rural Development/State Government Finance: Environment and Agriculture Budget Division
Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Housing and Economic Development
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Telecommunications and Technology
Local and Metropolitan Government
Taxes
Taxes/Local and Metropolitan Government: Property Taxes and Local Government Budget Division

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

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 37

Elected: 11/3/1992

Residence: Farmington

Term of Office: 1/5/1993 to 1/6/1997

Counties Represented: Dakota, Goodhue, Scott

Occupation: Farm Wife/Business Owner

Party: Independent Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources: Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division
Environment and Natural Resources: Environmental Protection
Environment and Natural Resources: Fish and Wildlife
Ethics and Campaign Reform
Metropolitan and Local Government
Metropolitan and Local Government: Intergovernmental Relations
Taxes and Tax Laws
Taxes and Tax Laws: Property Tax

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78th Legislative Session (1993-1994)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 37

Elected: 11/3/1992

Residence: Farmington

Term of Office: 1/5/1993 to 1/6/1997

Counties Represented: Dakota, Goodhue, Scott

Occupation: Farm Wife/Legislator

Party: Independent Republican

Committees:

Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources: Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division
Environment and Natural Resources: Environmental Protection
Environment and Natural Resources: Fish and Wildlife
Ethics and Campaign Reform
Metropolitan and Local Government
Metropolitan and Local Government: Intergovernmental Relations
Metropolitan and Local Government: Metropolitan and Local Government Tax Division
Rules and Administration
Taxes and Tax Laws
Taxes and Tax Laws: Property Tax

Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader

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77th Legislative Session (1991-1992)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 37

Elected: 11/6/1990

Residence: Farmington

Term of Office: 1/8/1991 to 1/4/1993

Counties Represented: Dakota, Washington

Occupation: Farm Wife/Legislator

Party: Independent Republican

Committees:

Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources: Environmental Protection
Governmental Operations
Metropolitan Affairs
Taxes and Tax Laws
Taxes and Tax Laws: Income, Sales, and Economic Development Division
Veterans and General Legislation

Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader

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

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 37

Elected: 11/8/1988

Residence: Farmington

Term of Office: 1/3/1989 to 1/7/1991 (Special Election)

Counties Represented: Dakota, Washington

Occupation: U.S. Senate Aide/Farm Wife

Party: Independent Republican

Committees:

Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources: Environmental Protection
Governmental Operations
Local and Urban Government
Local and Urban Government: Metropolitan Government
Veterans and Military Affairs

Session Notes: She won the Senate special election held due to the resignation of Darril Wegscheid. She was sworn in on January 3, 1989.

OTHER INFORMATION

Senate Photos

The photos in this collection were scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library.

Senator Don Kramer, Senator Gen Olson, and Senator Pat Pariseau discuss a bill during a Senate floor session, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Senator Jane Ranum, Senator Fritz Knaak, Senator Pat Pariseau, and Senator Ember Reichgott Junge examine a bill during a Senate floor session, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Senator Mark Piepho and Senator Pat Pariseau confer during a committee hearing, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Senator Pat Pariseau speaks in committee, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Senator Pat Pariseau, Senator Phyllis McQuaid and Senator Cal Larson confer on the Senate floor.

Articles & Books About
Johnson, Tad. "Longtime Farmington Area Sen. Pat Pariseau Dies." Sun This Week, November 17, 2020.

Pinney, Gregor W. "Rose's Death Creates Campaign Quandry." Star Tribune, July 21, 1988.

The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library has collected newspaper articles on legislators since 1973. They are available in the Library.

Legislators Past & Present Home

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