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.
Body:
House
District:
05A
Elected:
11/6/2018
Residence:
Bemidji
Term of Office:
1/7/2019 to 1/3/2021
Counties Represented:
Beltrami, Cass, Hubbard, Itasca
Occupation:
Policy Analyst
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
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
Body:
House
District:
05A
Elected:
11/4/2014
Residence:
Bemidji
Term of Office:
1/5/2015 to 1/1/2017
Counties Represented:
Beltrami, Cass, Hubbard, Itasca
Occupation:
Policy Analyst
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
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
Body:
House
District:
05A
Elected:
11/6/2012
Residence:
Bemidji
Term of Office:
1/7/2013 to 1/4/2015
Counties Represented:
Beltrami, Cass, Hubbard, Itasca
Occupation:
Policy Analyst
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
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
Body:
House
District:
04A
Elected:
11/2/2010
Residence:
Bemidji
Term of Office:
1/3/2011 to 1/6/2013
Counties Represented:
Beltrami, Cass, Itasca
Occupation:
Policy Analyst
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
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
Body:
House
District:
04A
Elected:
11/4/2008
Residence:
Bemidji
Term of Office:
1/5/2009 to 1/2/2011
Counties Represented:
Beltrami, Cass, Itasca
Occupation:
Government/Former Environmental Specialist, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
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
Articles & Books About
Session Interviews
District Files
These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.
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.