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Persell, Jr., John Sterling

House 2009-2012 (District 4A); House 2013-2016 (District 5A); House 2019-2020 (District 5A)

Party when first elected:  Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Counties Served:  Beltrami, Cass, Hubbard, Itasca

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: ??/??/1950
Birth Place: ,
Birth County:
Birth Country:
Date of Death:
Gender: Male
Religion:
Reported Minority: None Reported
Other Names:
City of Residence (when first elected): Bemidji
Occupation (when first elected): Government/Former Environmental Specialist, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe

EDUCATION

Battle Creek High School, Iowa; Secondary;
Bemidji State University; B.S.; Biology Major, Chemistry Minor

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

County Board/Commissioner: Beltrami County, Minnesota (Soil and Water Conservation Board); [Dates Unknown] [Elected]
Military: United States Air Force; [Dates Unknown]
Municipal Board/Commission: Frohn, Minnesota (Township Board of Supervisors); [Dates Unknown] [Elected]

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Patty Jean Wilson (she died in September 2007, before he served); Widower; listed as married in 2012 Election Directory.
Children: Eight children: John Sterling III, Allisa, and Dacia
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

He grew up in Battle Creek, Iowa.

Total Days Served: 3647

SESSIONS SERVED

91st Legislative Session (2019-2020)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 05A
Elected: 11/6/2018
Residence: Bemidji
Term of Office: 1/8/2019 to 1/4/2021
Counties Represented: Beltrami, Cass, Hubbard, Itasca
Occupation: Policy Analyst
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
  • Environment and Natural Resources Policy (Chair) Minutes
  • Labor Minutes
  • Ways & Means: Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division Minutes
  • Ways & Means: Greater Minnesota Jobs and Economic Development Finance Division Minutes
  • Ways & Means: Veterans and Military Affairs Finance & Policy Division Minutes
Session Notes: His margin of victory over Matt Bliss was only 8 votes so a recount occurred. After the recount he was declared the winner by 11 votes.
Ran in next election? Yes. Defeated in general election

89th Legislative Session (2015-2016)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 05A
Elected: 11/4/2014
Residence: Bemidji
Term of Office: 1/6/2015 to 1/2/2017
Counties Represented: Beltrami, Cass, Hubbard, Itasca
Occupation: Policy Analyst
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:     2015 1st Sp.S. - Author
Committees:
  • Environment & Natural Resources Policy & Finance Minutes
  • Health and Human Services Finance Minutes
  • State Government Finance: Veterans Affairs Division Minutes
Ran in next election? Yes. Defeated in general election

88th Legislative Session (2013-2014)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 05A
Elected: 11/6/2012
Residence: Bemidji
Term of Office: 1/8/2013 to 1/5/2015
Counties Represented: Beltrami, Cass, Hubbard, Itasca
Occupation: Policy Analyst
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:     2013 1st Sp.S. - Author
Committees:
  • Environment and Natural Resources Policy Minutes
  • Jobs and Economic Development Finance and Policy Minutes
  • Rules and Legislative Administration Minutes
  • State Government Finance and Veterans Affairs Minutes
Leadership Position: Majority Whip

87th Legislative Session (2011-2012)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 04A
Elected: 11/2/2010
Residence: Bemidji
Term of Office: 1/4/2011 to 1/7/2013
Counties Represented: Beltrami, Cass, Itasca
Occupation: Policy Analyst
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Special Session Bills Authored:     2011 1st Sp.S. - Author
   2012 1st Sp.S. - Author
Committees:
  • Agriculture and Rural Development Policy and Finance Minutes
  • Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Minutes
  • State Government Finance: Veterans Services Division Minutes
Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader

86th Legislative Session (2009-2010)

  Session Details
Body: House
District: 04A
Elected: 11/4/2008
Residence: Bemidji
Term of Office: 1/6/2009 to 1/3/2011
Counties Represented: Beltrami, Cass, Itasca
Occupation: Government/Former Environmental Specialist, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
Committees:
  • Environment Policy and Oversight Minutes
  • Environment Policy and Oversight: Game, Fish and Forestry Division Minutes
  • Finance: Energy Finance and Policy Division Minutes
  • Finance: Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division Minutes
Session Interviews
Session Interview (Video) 2019 House Interview

Session Interview (Video) 2016 House Interview

Session Interview (Video) 2009 House Interview


Articles & Books About
Hegarty, Susan. "Walking the Talk, Persell Models Stewardship of the Environment." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, January 23, 2009, p. 16.


District Files

District File - 2009 District 04A
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.