Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature
Skip Navigation Links > >

Sviggum, Steven A. "Steve"

House 1979-82 (District 25A); House 1983-92 (District 26A); House 1993-2007 (District 28B)

Party when first elected:  Independent Republican

Counties Served:  Dakota, Dodge, Goodhue, Olmsted, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca, Winona

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 9/15/1951
Birth Place:
Birth County:
Birth Country:
Date of Death:
Gender: Male
Religion: Lutheran
Reported Minority: None Reported
Other Names: Steve
City of Residence (when first elected): Nerstrand
Occupation (when first elected): Farmer/Teacher

EDUCATION

Kenyon High School; Secondary; Graduate
St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota; B.A.; Mathematics

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

State Agency: Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (Commissioner); 07/17/2007 to 12/01/2010 [Appointed]
State Agency: Minnesota Management and Budget (Commissioner); 12/02/2010 to 01/2011 [Appointed]
Board of Regents: University of Minnesota (2nd Congressional District, He Resigned Before His Term Was Over); 03/10/2011 to 03/08/2012
State Legislative Staff: Minnesota Senate (Communications Director for the Republican Caucus and Executive Assistant to Senator Dave Senjem); 01/17/2012 to 01/07/2013
Board of Regents: University of Minnesota (2nd Congressional District); 2017 to ?

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Single (when first elected); Debra "Debbie" (first listed in 1981)
Children: Three children: Erik Bjorn, and Hans Peder (sons); Marit Christine (daughter) (all born while he was in office)
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

He was a member of Vang Lutheran Church in Dennison, Minnesota.

Religion provided by the Minnesota Legislative Manual, 1987-88.

Total Days Served: 10425

SESSIONS SERVED

85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 28B
Elected: 11/7/2006
Residence: Kenyon
Term of Office: 1/1/2007 to 7/17/2007 (unfinished term)
Counties Represented: Goodhue, Wabasha, Winona
Occupation: Farmer, Grain and Beef Cattle/Educator
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
  • Finance Minutes [He was a member in 2007 only.]
  • Finance: State Government Finance Division Minutes [He was a member in 2007 only.]
  • Ways and Means Minutes [He was a member in 2007 only.]
Reason for unfinished term: Appointed to other office
Session Notes: He was appointed by Governor Tim Pawlenty to become Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry on July 17, 2007.

84th Legislative Session (2005-2006)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 28B
Elected: 11/2/2004
Residence: Kenyon
Term of Office: 1/4/2005 to 1/2/2007
Counties Represented: Goodhue, Wabasha, Winona
Occupation: Farmer/Educator
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:     2005 1st Sp.S. - Author
Committees:
  • Rules and Legislative Administration Minutes
Leadership Position: Speaker of the House

83rd Legislative Session (2003-2004)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 28B
Elected: 11/5/2002
Residence: Kenyon
Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/3/2005
Counties Represented: Goodhue, Wabasha, Winona
Occupation: Farmer/Legislator
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
Leadership Position: Speaker of the House

82nd Legislative Session (2001-2002)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 28B
Elected: 11/7/2000
Residence: Kenyon
Term of Office: 1/3/2001 to 1/6/2003
Counties Represented: Dodge, Goodhue, Olmsted, Steele, Waseca
Occupation: Farmer/Educator
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:     2001 1st Sp.S. - Author
Committees:
Leadership Position: Speaker of the House

81st Legislative Session (1999-2000)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 28B
Elected: 11/3/1998
Residence: Kenyon
Term of Office: 1/5/1999 to 1/2/2001
Counties Represented: Dodge, Goodhue, Olmsted, Steele, Waseca
Occupation: Farmer/Educator
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
Leadership Position: Speaker of the House

80th Legislative Session (1997-1998)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 28B
Elected: 11/5/1996
Residence: Kenyon
Term of Office: 1/7/1997 to 1/4/1999
Counties Represented: Dodge, Goodhue, Olmsted, Steele, Waseca
Occupation: Farmer/Educator
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
  • Labor-Management Relations
  • Rules and Legislative Administration
  • Ways and Means
Leadership Position: Minority Leader

79th Legislative Session (1995-1996)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 28B
Elected: 11/8/1994
Residence: Kenyon
Term of Office: 1/3/1995 to 1/6/1997
Counties Represented: Dodge, Goodhue, Olmsted, Steele, Waseca
Occupation: Farmer/Educator
Party: Independent Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
  • Rules and Legislative Administration
  • Rules and Legislative Administration: Administration
  • Rules and Legislative Administration: Personnel
  • Rules and Legislative Administration: Rules
  • Taxes
  • Taxes: Sales and Income Tax Division
  • Ways and Means
Leadership Position: Minority Leader

78th Legislative Session (1993-1994)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 28B
Elected: 11/3/1992
Residence: Kenyon
Term of Office: 1/5/1993 to 1/2/1995
Counties Represented: Dodge, Goodhue, Olmsted, Steele, Waseca
Occupation: Farmer/Educator
Party: Independent Republican
Committees:
  • Rules and Legislative Administration
  • Rules and Legislative Administration: Personnel
  • Taxes
  • Taxes: Property Tax
  • Ways and Means
Leadership Position: Minority Leader

77th Legislative Session (1991-1992)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 26A
Elected: 11/6/1990
Residence: Kenyon
Term of Office: 1/8/1991 to 1/4/1993
Counties Represented: Goodhue
Occupation: Farmer/Educator
Party: Independent Republican
Committees:
  • General Legislation, Veterans Affairs, and Gaming
  • General Legislation, Veterans Affairs, and Gaming: Veterans Affairs Division
  • Health and Human Services
  • Health and Human Services: Social and Family Services
  • Labor-Management Relations
  • Labor-Management Relations: Worker's Compensation and Unemployment Insurance
  • Taxes
  • Taxes: Property Tax

76th Legislative Session (1989-1990)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 26A
Elected: 11/8/1988
Residence: Kenyon
Term of Office: 1/3/1989 to 1/7/1991
Counties Represented: Goodhue
Occupation: Farmer/Teacher
Party: Independent Republican
Committees:
  • General Legislation, Veterans Affairs and Gaming
  • General Legislation, Veterans Affairs and Gaming: Elections Division
  • Health and Human Services
  • Health and Human Services: Social Services
  • Labor-Management Relations
  • Labor-Management Relations: Unemployment Insurance and Workers' Compensation
  • Rules and Legislative Administration
  • Taxes
  • Taxes: Tax Laws
Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader

75th Legislative Session (1987-1988)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 26A
Elected: 11/4/1986
Residence: Kenyon
Term of Office: 1/6/1987 to 1/2/1989
Counties Represented: Goodhue
Occupation: Farmer/Educator
Party: Independent Republican
Committees:
  • General Legislation, Veterans Affairs and Gaming
  • General Legislation, Veterans Affairs and Gaming: Gaming
  • General Legislation, Veterans Affairs and Gaming: Veterans Affairs and Miscellaneous Legislation
  • Health and Human Services
  • Health and Human Services: Social Services
  • Labor-Management Relations
  • Labor-Management Relations: Unemployment Insurance and Workers Compensation Division
  • Taxes
  • Taxes: Tax Law Division

74th Legislative Session (1985-1986)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 26A
Elected: 11/6/1984
Residence: Kenyon
Term of Office: 1/8/1985 to 1/5/1987
Counties Represented: Goodhue
Occupation: Family Farmer/Educator/Coach
Party: Independent Republican
Committees:
  • Governmental Operations
  • Health and Human Services
  • Health and Human Services: Social Services
  • Labor-Management Relations
  • Labor-Management Relations: Unemployment Insurance and Workers Compensation Division (Chair)
  • Rules and Legislative Administration
Leadership Position: Assistant Majority Leader

73rd Legislative Session (1983-1984)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 26A
Elected: 11/2/1982
Residence: Kenyon
Term of Office: 1/4/1983 to 1/7/1985
Counties Represented: Goodhue
Occupation: Farmer/Educator
Party: Independent Republican
Committees:
  • General Legislation and Veterans Affairs
  • General Legislation and Veterans Affairs: Gaming Division
  • General Legislation and Veterans Affairs: Veterans Affairs and Miscellaneous Legislation
  • Governmental Operations
  • Governmental Operations: Pensions and Investments
  • Health and Welfare
  • Health and Welfare: Social Services

72nd Legislative Session (1981-1982)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 25A
Elected: 11/4/1980
Residence: Kenyon
Term of Office: 1/6/1981 to 1/3/1983
Counties Represented: Dakota, Goodhue
Occupation: Teacher/Football and Basketball Coach/Farmer
Party: Independent Republican
Committees:
  • Financial Institutions and Insurance
  • Financial Institutions and Insurance: Banking
  • General Legislation and Veterans Affairs
  • General Legislation and Veterans Affairs: General Legislation and Veterans Affairs
  • Governmental Operations
  • Governmental Operations: Pensions and Investments
  • Health and Welfare
  • Health and Welfare: Social Services

71st Legislative Session (1979-1980)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 25A
Elected: 11/7/1978
Residence: Nerstrand
Term of Office: 1/3/1979 to 1/5/1981
Counties Represented: Dakota, Goodhue
Occupation: Farmer/Teacher
Party: Independent Republican
Committees:
  • Agriculture
  • Agriculture: Agriculture Programs and Policies
  • Financial Institutions and Insurance
  • Governmental Operations
  • Governmental Operations: Administration and Structures
Session Interviews
Session Interview (Video) 2007 House Interview

Session Interview (Video) 2006 House Interview

Session Interview (Video) 2003 House Interview


Articles & Books About
Wetzel, Matt. "More or Less: Republicans, DFL Take Different Paths When Establishing Leadership Structure." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, January 7, 2005, p. 7.

Lonergan, Tom. "Running the Show: Sviggum Re-Elected as House Speaker, Olson Joins Abrams and Boudreau as Speaker Pro Tempore." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, January 10, 2003, p. 9.

Donovan, Sandy. "Sviggum Promises Balance, Openness in House." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, January 8, 1999, p. 7.

Riley, Celeste. "Sviggum: Lawmaking One of the 'Best Things' He's Done." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, January 24, 1997, p. 13.

Hanzlik, K. Darcy. "Minority Leader's Success Will be Measured Nov. 8." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, March 18, 1994, p. 14.

Price, Dave. "'Sviggum Referees House Minority Caucus." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, January 22, 1993, p. 10.


District Files

District File - 2000 District 28B
District File - 2002 District 28B
District File - 2003 District 28B
District File - 2004 District 28B
District File - 2005 District 28B
District File - 2006 District 28B
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.