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Pelowski, Jr., Gene P.

Sessions Served

Other Information

House 1987-92 (District 34B); House 1993-2002 (District 32A); House 2003-2012 (District 31A); House 2013-2022 (District 28A); House 2023-2024 (District 26A)

Party when first elected: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Counties Served: Houston, Winona

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 2/9/1952

Birth Place: ,

Birth County:

Birth Country:

Date of Death:

Gender: Male

Religion: Catholic

Reported Minority: None Reported

Other Names:

City of Residence (when first elected): Winona

Occupation (when first elected): Teacher, Debate Coach/Golf Pro, Walnut Grove County Club

EDUCATION

Red Wing High School; Secondary;
Winona State University; B.S.; Social Studies
Winona State University; M.S.; Education

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

Municipal Board/Commission: Winona, Minnesota (Human Rights Commission, Chair); 19?? to 198?

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Deborah
Children: Two children: Ryan and Gene

Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

Special legislative concerns: legislative process reform.

He was the advisor to a model legislature for youth, which was modeled after the Minnesota Legislature since 1975.

Religion provided by Politics in Minnesota the Directory, 2005-2006.

He announced he would not seek reelection in 2024.

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Total Days Served: 13881

SESSIONS SERVED

93rd Legislative Session (2023-2024)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2023

Body: House

District: 26A

Elected: 11/8/2022

Residence: Winona

Term of Office: 1/2/2023 to 1/5/2025
Oath Date: 1/3/2023

Counties Represented: Winona

Occupation: Educator; retired golf professional; adjunct faculty, Winona State University

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Capital Investment Minutes
Higher Education Finance and Policy (Chair) Minutes
Rules and Legislative Administration Minutes
Ways and Means Minutes

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92nd Legislative Session (2021-2022)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/5/2021

Body: House

District: 28A

Elected: 11/3/2020

Residence: Winona

Term of Office: 1/4/2021 to 1/1/2023
Oath Date: 1/5/2021

Counties Represented: Winona

Occupation: Educator; retired golf professional; adjunct faculty, Winona State University

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2021 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2021 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Industrial Education and Economic Development Finance and Policy (Chair) Minutes
Rules and Legislative Administration Minutes
Rules and Legislative Administration: Subcommittee on Legislative Process Reform (Chair) Minutes
State Government Finance and Elections Minutes
Taxes: Property Tax Division Minutes
Ways and Means Minutes

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91st Legislative Session (2019-2020)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/2019

Body: House

District: 28A

Elected: 11/6/2018

Residence: Winona

Term of Office: 1/7/2019 to 1/3/2021
Oath Date: 1/8/2019

Counties Represented: Winona

Occupation: Educator; retired golf professional; adjunct faculty, Winona State University

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2019 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Government Operations Minutes
Rules and Legislative Administration Minutes
Rules and Legislative Administration: Subcommittee on Legislative Process Reform (Chair) Minutes
Ways & Means Minutes
Ways & Means: Greater Minnesota Jobs and Economic Development Finance Division (Chair) Minutes

Leadership Position: Speaker Pro Tempore

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90th Legislative Session (2017-2018)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2017

Body: House

District: 28A

Elected: 11/8/2016

Residence: Winona

Term of Office: 1/2/2017 to 1/6/2019
Oath Date: 1/3/2017

Counties Represented: Winona

Occupation: Educator, Winona Senior High School

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Higher Education & Career Readiness Policy and Finance Minutes
Rules & Legislative Administration Minutes
Ways & Means Minutes

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89th Legislative Session (2015-2016)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/2015

Body: House

District: 28A

Elected: 11/4/2014

Residence: Winona

Term of Office: 1/5/2015 to 1/1/2017
Oath Date: 1/6/2015

Counties Represented: Winona

Occupation: Educator, Winona Senior High School

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Capital Investment Minutes
Higher Education Policy & Finance Minutes
Rules & Legislative Administration Minutes
Ways and Means Minutes

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88th Legislative Session (2013-2014)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/2013

Body: House

District: 28A

Elected: 11/6/2012

Residence: Winona

Term of Office: 1/7/2013 to 1/4/2015
Oath Date: 1/8/2013

Counties Represented: Winona

Occupation: Educator

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

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

Committees:

Higher Education Finance and Policy (Chair) Minutes
Rules and Legislative Administration Minutes
Ways and Means Minutes

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87th Legislative Session (2011-2012)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/2011

Body: House

District: 31A

Elected: 11/2/2010

Residence: Winona

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

Counties Represented: Houston, Winona

Occupation: Educator, Winona Senior High School

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Higher Education Policy and Finance Minutes
Rules and Legislative Administration Minutes
Ways and Means Minutes

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86th Legislative Session (2009-2010)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/2009

Body: House

District: 31A

Elected: 11/4/2008

Residence: Winona

Term of Office: 1/5/2009 to 1/2/2011
Oath Date: 1/6/2009

Counties Represented: Houston, Winona

Occupation: Educator, Winona Senior High School

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Finance Minutes
Finance: Capital Investment Finance Division Minutes
Rules and Legislative Administration Minutes
State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections (Chair) Minutes
State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections: Local Government Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member

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85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2007

Body: House

District: 31A

Elected: 11/7/2006

Residence: Winona

Term of Office: 1/1/2007 to 1/4/2009
Oath Date: 1/3/2007

Counties Represented: Houston, Winona

Occupation: Educator; History and Government Teacher, Winona Senior High School

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2007 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2007 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Finance Minutes
Finance: Capital Investment Finance Division Minutes
Finance: Education Finance and Economic Competitiveness Finance Division Minutes
Finance: State Government Finance Division Minutes - Ex Officio Member
Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections (Chair) Minutes
Rules and Legislative Administration Minutes
Ways and Means Minutes

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84th Legislative Session (2005-2006)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/2005

Body: House

District: 31A

Elected: 11/2/2004

Residence: Winona

Term of Office: 1/3/2005 to 12/31/2006
Oath Date: 1/4/2005

Counties Represented: Houston, Winona

Occupation: Educator

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Capital Investment Minutes
Education Policy and Reform Minutes
Higher Education Finance Minutes

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83rd Legislative Session (2003-2004)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/7/2003

Body: House

District: 31A

Elected: 11/5/2002

Residence: Winona

Term of Office: 1/6/2003 to 1/2/2005
Oath Date: 1/7/2003

Counties Represented: Houston, Winona

Occupation: Educator/Golf Professional

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

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

Committees:

Education Policy Minutes
Higher Education Finance Minutes
Regulated Industries Minutes
Rules and Legislative Administration Minutes

Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader

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82nd Legislative Session (2001-2002)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2001

Body: House

District: 32A

Elected: 11/7/2000

Residence: Winona

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

Counties Represented: Winona

Occupation: Educator/Golf Professional

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

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

Committees:

Education Policy Minutes
Higher Education Finance Minutes
Redistricting Minutes
Regulated Industries Minutes

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81st Legislative Session (1999-2000)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/5/1999

Body: House

District: 32A

Elected: 11/3/1998

Residence: Winona

Term of Office: 1/4/1999 to 12/31/2000
Oath Date: 1/5/1999

Counties Represented: Winona

Occupation: Educator/Golf Professional

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Education Policy Minutes
Higher Education Finance Minutes
Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs Minutes

80th Legislative Session (1997-1998)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/7/1997

Body: House

District: 32A

Elected: 11/5/1996

Residence: Winona

Term of Office: 1/6/1997 to 1/3/1999
Oath Date: 1/7/1997

Counties Represented: Winona

Occupation: Educator

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Agriculture: Joint House/Senate Special Select Subcommittee on Agricultural Education Minutes - Ex Officio Member
Education Minutes
Education: Education Planning and Transitions Minutes
Education: Higher Education Finance Division (Chair) Minutes
Education: Higher Education Finance Division: Reform, Efficiency and Accountability Minutes - Ex Officio Member
General Legislation, Veterans Affairs and Elections
Regulated Industries and Energy
Rules and Legislative Administration

79th Legislative Session (1995-1996)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/1995

Body: House

District: 32A

Elected: 11/8/1994

Residence: Winona

Term of Office: 1/2/1995 to 1/5/1997
Oath Date: 1/3/1995

Counties Represented: Winona

Occupation: Educator/Golf Professional

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Education
Education: Higher Education Finance Division
General Legislation, Veterans Affairs and Elections
General Legislation, Veterans Affairs and Elections: Elections Division
Judiciary

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78th Legislative Session (1993-1994)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/5/1993

Body: House

District: 32A

Elected: 11/3/1992

Residence: Winona

Term of Office: 1/4/1993 to 1/1/1995
Oath Date: 1/5/1993

Counties Represented: Winona

Occupation: Educator/Golf Professional

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Education
Education: Education Standards
Education: Higher Education Finance Division
General Legislation, Veterans Affairs, and Elections
Regulated Industries and Energy

77th Legislative Session (1991-1992)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/1991

Body: House

District: 34B

Elected: 11/6/1990

Residence: Winona

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

Counties Represented: Winona

Occupation: Educator/Golf Professional

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Appropriations
Appropriations: Economic Development, Infrastructure, and Regulation Division
Education: Joint Senate/House Libraries
General Legislation, Veterans Affairs, and Gaming
General Legislation, Veterans Affairs, and Gaming: Elections Division
Health and Human Services
Health and Human Services: Standards and Regulations
Regulated Industries

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76th Legislative Session (1989-1990)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/1989

Body: House

District: 34B

Elected: 11/8/1988

Residence: Winona

Term of Office: 1/2/1989 to 1/6/1991
Oath Date: 1/3/1989

Counties Represented: Winona

Occupation: Educator/Golf Professional

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Commerce
Commerce: Tourism
Economic Development
Economic Development: Enterprise Development (Chair)
Economic Development: International Trade and Technology Division
Education
Education: Higher Education Division
Education: Joint Senate/House Library (Chair)

75th Legislative Session (1987-1988)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/1987

Body: House

District: 34B

Elected: 11/4/1986

Residence: Winona

Term of Office: 1/5/1987 to 1/1/1989
Oath Date: 1/6/1987

Counties Represented: Winona

Occupation: Teacher, Debate Coach/Golf Pro, Walnut Grove County Club

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Commerce
Commerce: Energy and Real Estate
Commerce: Tourism
Education
Education: Joint Senate/House Library
Future and Technology
Future and Technology: Software
Future and Technology: Telecommunication
Higher Education

OTHER INFORMATION

Session Interviews

House Interview 2020 (Video)
House Interview 2014 (Video)

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 (32A)

2001 (32A)

2002 (32A)

2003 (31A)

2004 (31A)

2005 (31A)

2006 (31A)

2007 (31A)

2008 (31A)

2009 (31A)

These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.

Archive Collections

Gene Pelowski Journal, 1987-1988 (Available in the Minnesota Historical Society's Collections)

Photographs

Gov. Tim Walz shakes hands with Rep. Gene Pelowski, Jr. while distributing glazed apple blondie bars in the House Chamber on the first day of the 2024 legislative session Feb. 12. 2/12/2024. Photo credit: Michele Jokinen, House Public Information Services.

Longtime friends and colleagues, Rep. Gene Pelowski, Jr. and Chief Clerk Pat Murphy, visit on the House Floor prior to Monday's opening of the 2024 legislative session. Their combined service to the House equals 83 years. First elected in 1986, Pelowski announced he will not seek re-election in November. 2/12/2024. Photo credit: Andrew VonBank, House Public Information Services.

Rep. Gene Pelowski, Jr. gavels in the House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee for the last time April 18. Currently the longest-serving House member, he will not seek re-election after 38 years of service. 4/18/2024. Photo credit: Andrew VonBank, House Public Information Services.

Rep. Gene Pelowski, Jr. presents the higher education policy bill on the House Floor April 4. 4/4/2024. Photo credit: Andrew VonBank, House Public Information Services.

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