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    Simonson, Erik

    Sessions Served    Other Information

    House 2013-2016 (District 07B); Senate 2017-2020 (District 07)

    Party when first elected:  Democratic-Farmer-Labor

    Counties Served:  St. Louis

    BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

    Date of Birth: 5/26/1968
    Birth Place: Duluth, Minnesota
    Birth County: St. Louis
    Birth Country: United States
    Date of Death:
    Gender: Male
    Religion: Lutheran
    Reported Minority: None Reported
    Other Names:
    City of Residence (when first elected): Duluth
    Occupation (when first elected): Assistant Fire Chief

    EDUCATION

    Duluth Central High School; Secondary;
    Lake Superior College; Attended College;
    Columbia Southern University; Attended College;
    National Fire Academy; Vocational-Technical School;
    College of St. Scholastica; B.A.;

    OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

    FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

    Spouse: Holly
    Children: Two children: (daughters)
    Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

    GENERAL NOTES

    Religion provided by Politics in Minnesota, The Directory, 2013-2014.

    Most recent term photo
    Click to view
    Total Days Served: 2919

    SESSIONS SERVED

    91st Legislative Session (2019-2020) (second half of Senate term)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 07
    Elected: 11/8/2016
    Residence: Duluth
    Term of Office: 1/3/2017 to 1/4/2021
    Counties Represented: St. Louis
    Occupation: Retired Assistant Fire Chief; CEO
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Special Session Bills Authored:  2019 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author    2019 1st Sp.S. - Author
    2020 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author    2020 1st Sp.S. - Author
    2020 2nd Sp.S. - Chief Author    2020 2nd Sp.S. - Author
    2020 5th Sp.S. - Chief Author    2020 5th Sp.S. - Author
    2020 7th Sp.S. - Chief Author    2020 7th Sp.S. - Author
    Committees:
    • Energy and Utilities Finance and Policy
    • Environment and Natural Resources Finance
    • Jobs and Economic Growth Finance and Policy
    Ran in next election? Yes. Defeated in primary
    term photo
    Click to view

    90th Legislative Session (2017-2018)

      Session Details
    Body: Senate
    District: 07
    Elected: 11/8/2016
    Residence: Duluth
    Term of Office: 1/3/2017 to 1/4/2021
    Counties Represented: St. Louis
    Occupation: Retired Assistant Fire Chief; CEO
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Energy and Utilities Finance and Policy
    • Environment and Natural Resources Finance
    • Jobs and Economic Growth Finance and Policy
    term photo
    Click to view

    89th Legislative Session (2015-2016)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 07B
    Elected: 11/4/2014
    Residence: Duluth
    Term of Office: 1/6/2015 to 1/2/2017
    Counties Represented: St. Louis
    Occupation: Assistant Fire Chief
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Special Session Bills Authored:     2015 1st Sp.S. - Author
    Committees:
    • Job Growth & Energy Affordability Policy & Finance Minutes
    • Taxes Minutes
    • Taxes: Property Tax & Local Government Finance Division Minutes
    term photo
    Click to view

    88th Legislative Session (2013-2014)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 07B
    Elected: 11/6/2012
    Residence: Duluth
    Term of Office: 1/8/2013 to 1/5/2015
    Counties Represented: St. Louis
    Occupation: Assistant Fire Chief
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    Session Notes: In September, 2012, after Rep. Kerry Gauthier withdrew from the ballot, it appeared that Erik Simonson, as the DFL-party-endorsed replacement, would have to run as a write-in candidate. State law did not allow for removal of legislative candidates from the ballot after the official candidate withdrawal period ends. Following a hearing, the Minnesota Supreme Court ordered his name to appear on the ballot against the Republican candidate Travis Silvers. Jay Fosle ran unsuccesfully as an independent write-in candidate in this race.
    term photo
    Click to view

    OTHER INFORMATION

    Session Interviews
    Session Interview (Video) 2013 House Interview


    Video
    Departing Member Interview (Video) 2016



    The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library has collected newspaper articles on legislators since 1973. They are available in the Library.

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