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Dettmer, Bob

House 2007-2012 (District 52A); House 2013-2022 (District 39A)

Party when first elected:  Republican

Counties Served:  Anoka, Chisago, Washington

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 3/1/1951
Birth Place: Faribault, Minnesota
Birth County: Rice
Birth Country: United States
Date of Death:
Gender: Male
Religion: Baptist
Reported Minority: None Reported
Other Names:
City of Residence (when first elected): Forest Lake
Occupation (when first elected): Soldier/Retired Educator, Teacher and Coach (Wrestling, Track, and Soccer), Forest Lake High School

EDUCATION

Faribault High School; Secondary;
Bemidji State University; B.S.; Health and Physical Education, May 1973
St. Thomas University; M.A.; Education Curriculum and Instruction

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

Military: United States Army Reserves (Kuwait, November 2001-2003 and Iraq; Chief Warrant Officer, Electronic Intelligence Specialist, Army Master Fitness Trainer); 1986 to 2011

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Colleen (married in 1972)
Children: Three children: Robb and Travis (sons, twins); Krystle (daughter)
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

He was born and raised on a farm.

Religion provided by Politics in Minnesota, the Directory, 2007-2008.

In 2004, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame awarded him a Lifetime Service to Wrestling (Minnesota Chapter) award.

He announced he would not seek reelection in 2022.

Total Days Served: 5845

SESSIONS SERVED

92nd Legislative Session (2021-2022)

  Session Details   Convened Date: 1/5/2021
Body: House
District: 39A
Elected: 11/3/2020
Residence: Forest Lake
Term of Office: 1/4/2021 to 1/1/2023
Oath Date: 1/5/2021
Counties Represented: Chisago, Washington
Occupation: Educator/retired; Chief Warrant Officer U.S. Army Reserve (retired)
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
  • Labor, Industry, Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Minutes
  • Taxes Minutes

91st Legislative Session (2019-2020)

  Session Details   Convened Date: 1/8/2019
Body: House
District: 39A
Elected: 11/6/2018
Residence: Forest Lake
Term of Office: 1/7/2019 to 1/3/2021
Oath Date: 1/8/2019
Counties Represented: Chisago, Washington
Occupation: Educator/Retired; Chief Warrant Officer U.S. Army Reserve (retired)
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:     2020 2nd Sp.S. - Author
Committees:
  • Labor Minutes
  • Ways & Means: Education Finance Division Minutes
  • Ways & Means: Veterans and Military Affairs Finance & Policy Division Minutes

90th Legislative Session (2017-2018)

  Session Details   Convened Date: 1/3/2017
Body: House
District: 39A
Elected: 11/8/2016
Residence: Forest Lake
Term of Office: 1/2/2017 to 1/6/2019
Oath Date: 1/3/2017
Counties Represented: Chisago, Washington
Occupation: Educator/Retired; Chief Warrant Officer U.S. Army Reserve (retired)
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:

89th Legislative Session (2015-2016)

  Session Details   Convened Date: 1/6/2015
Body: House
District: 39A
Elected: 11/4/2014
Residence: Forest Lake
Term of Office: 1/5/2015 to 1/1/2017
Oath Date: 1/6/2015
Counties Represented: Chisago, Washington
Occupation: Educator/Retired; Chief Warrant Officer U.S. Army Reserve (retired)
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
  • Education Finance Minutes
  • State Government Finance Minutes
  • State Government Finance: Veterans Affairs Division (Chair) Minutes
  • Ways and Means Minutes

88th Legislative Session (2013-2014)

  Session Details   Convened Date: 1/8/2013
Body: House
District: 39A
Elected: 11/6/2012
Residence: Forest Lake
Term of Office: 1/7/2013 to 1/4/2015
Oath Date: 1/8/2013
Counties Represented: Chisago, Washington
Occupation: Educator/Retired
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:  2013 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author    2013 1st Sp.S. - Author
Committees:
  • Capital Investment Minutes
  • State Government Finance and Veterans Affairs Minutes
  • Ways and Means Minutes

87th Legislative Session (2011-2012)

  Session Details   Convened Date: 1/4/2011
Body: House
District: 52A
Elected: 11/2/2010
Residence: Forest Lake
Term of Office: 1/3/2011 to 1/6/2013
Oath Date: 1/4/2011
Counties Represented: Anoka, Washington
Occupation: Educator/Retired
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
  • Higher Education Policy and Finance Minutes
  • State Government Finance: Veterans Services Division Minutes
  • Taxes: Property and Local Tax Division Minutes

86th Legislative Session (2009-2010)

  Session Details   Convened Date: 1/6/2009
Body: House
District: 52A
Elected: 11/4/2008
Residence: Forest Lake
Term of Office: 1/5/2009 to 1/2/2011
Oath Date: 1/6/2009
Counties Represented: Anoka, Washington
Occupation: Educator
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
  • Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs: Veterans Affairs Division Minutes
  • Finance: Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division Minutes
  • Finance: K-12 Education Finance Division Minutes
  • Rules and Legislative Administration Minutes
  • Taxes: Property and Local Sales Tax Division Minutes
Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Whip

85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

  Session Details   Convened Date: 1/3/2007
Body: House
District: 52A
Elected: 11/7/2006
Residence: Forest Lake
Term of Office: 1/1/2007 to 1/4/2009
Oath Date: 1/3/2007
Counties Represented: Anoka, Washington
Occupation: Soldier/Retired Educator, Teacher and Coach (Wrestling, Track, and Soccer), Forest Lake High School
Party: Republican
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
  • Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs: Veterans Affairs Division Minutes
  • E-12 Education Minutes
  • Finance: Education Finance and Economic Competitiveness Finance Division: Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division Minutes
  • Finance: Education Finance and Economic Competitiveness Finance Division: K-12 Finance Division Minutes

Articles & Books About

Session Interviews

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

2007 (52A)
2008 (52A)
2009 (52A)
These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.