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Bakk, Thomas M. "Tom"

Sessions Served

Other Information

House 1995-2002 (District 6A); Senate 2003-2012 (District 6); Senate 2013-2022 (District 3)

Party when first elected: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Counties Served: Carlton, Cook, Koochiching, Lake, St. Louis

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 6/8/1954

Birth Place: Virginia, Minnesota

Birth County: St. Louis

Birth Country: United States

Date of Death:

Gender: Male

Religion: Lutheran

Reported Minority: None Reported

Other Names: Tom

City of Residence (when first elected): Cook

Occupation (when first elected): Labor Representative/Carpenter

EDUCATION

Cook High School; Secondary; Graduate, 1972
Mesabi Community College; A.A.;
University of Minnesota, Duluth; B.A.; Business Administration and Labor-Management Relations, also listed as a B.B.A.

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

Municipal Government: Iron Range Area, Minnesota (Volunteer Firefighter); [Dates Unknown]

State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota Iron Range Resources Board; 1995 to 2???

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Laura (second wife, married around 2001; she was a Legislative Assistant to Sen. David Tomassoni)
Children: Four children
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

Special Legislative Concerns: economic development, taxes, natural resources.

He grew up in Cook, Minnesota.

He ran unsuccessfully to become the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party candidate for Governor of Minnesota in the 2010 election. He dropped out of the race in March 2010.

He announced he would not seek reelection in 2022.

Religion provided by Politics in Minnesota the Directory, 2005-2006.

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Total Days Served: 10227

SESSIONS SERVED

92nd Legislative Session (2021-2022)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/5/2021

Body: Senate

District: 03

Elected: 11/3/2020

Residence: Cook

Term of Office: 1/4/2021 to 1/1/2023
Oath Date: 1/5/2021

Counties Represented: Cook, Koochiching, Lake, St. Louis

Occupation: Retired labor official

Party: Independent-No Party Affiliation Party Notes: Sen. Tom Bakk and Sen. David Tomassoni formed a separate and independent caucus. Their party endorsement in the election was DFL.

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2021 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2021 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Capital Investment (Chair)
Redistricting
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Subcommittee on Committees
Taxes

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

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/2019

Body: Senate

District: 03

Elected: 11/8/2016

Residence: Cook

Term of Office: 1/2/2017 to 1/3/2021
Oath Date: 1/3/2017

Counties Represented: Cook, Koochiching, Lake, St. Louis

Occupation: Retired labor official

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored:     2019 1st Sp.S. - Author
   2020 1st Sp.S. - Author
   2020 2nd Sp.S. - Author
   2020 3rd Sp.S. - Author
   2020 5th Sp.S. - Author
   2020 7th Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Environment and Natural Resources Finance
Rules and Administration
Taxes

Leadership Position: Minority Leader - He was Minority Leader for 2019 only.

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90th Legislative Session (2017-2018)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2017

Body: Senate

District: 03

Elected: 11/8/2016

Residence: Cook

Term of Office: 1/2/2017 to 1/3/2021
Oath Date: 1/3/2017

Counties Represented: Cook, Koochiching, Lake, St. Louis

Occupation: Retired Labor Official

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2017 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Environment and Natural Resources Finance
Rules and Administration
Taxes

Leadership Position: Minority Leader

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89th Legislative Session (2015-2016) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/2015

Body: Senate

District: 03

Elected: 11/6/2012

Residence: Cook

Term of Office: 1/7/2013 to 1/1/2017
Oath Date: 1/8/2013

Counties Represented:

Occupation: Retired Labor Official

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2015 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2015 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Rules and Administration (Chair)
Rules and Administration: Committees Subcommittee (Chair)
Rules and Administration: Conference Committees Subcommittee (Chair)
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules Subcommittee (Chair)
Taxes

Leadership Position: Majority Leader

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88th Legislative Session (2013-2014)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/2013

Body: Senate

District: 03

Elected: 11/6/2012

Residence: Cook

Term of Office: 1/7/2013 to 1/1/2017
Oath Date: 1/8/2013

Counties Represented: Cook, Koochiching, Lake, St. Louis

Occupation: Retired Labor Official

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2013 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2013 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Rules and Administration (Chair)
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules Subcommittee
Rules and Administration: Subcommittee on Committees
Taxes

Leadership Position: Majority Leader

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87th Legislative Session (2011-2012)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/2011

Body: Senate

District: 06

Elected: 11/2/2010

Residence: Cook

Term of Office: 1/3/2011 to 1/6/2013
Oath Date: 1/4/2011

Counties Represented: Carlton, Cook, Lake, St. Louis

Occupation: Labor Official

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2011 1st Sp.S. - Author
2012 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Committees
Rules and Administration: Conference Committees
Rules and Administration: Redistricting
Taxes

Leadership Position: Minority Leader

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86th Legislative Session (2009-2010) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/2009

Body: Senate

District: 06

Elected: 11/7/2006

Residence: Cook

Term of Office: 1/1/2007 to 1/2/2011
Oath Date: 1/3/2007

Counties Represented: Carlton, Cook, Lake, St. Louis

Occupation: Labor Official

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Business, Industry and Jobs
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division: Natural Resources
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division: Parks and Trails Legacy
Rules and Administration
Taxes (Chair)
Taxes: Property Tax Division

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85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2007

Body: Senate

District: 06

Elected: 11/7/2006

Residence: Cook

Term of Office: 1/1/2007 to 1/2/2011
Oath Date: 1/3/2007

Counties Represented: Carlton, Cook, Lake, St. Louis

Occupation: Labor Official

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Business, Industry and Jobs
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division: Natural Resources
Rules and Administration
Taxes (Chair)
Taxes: Property Taxes Division

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84th Legislative Session (2005-2006) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/2005

Body: Senate

District: 06

Elected: 11/5/2002

Residence: Cook

Term of Office: 1/6/2003 to 12/31/2006
Oath Date: 1/7/2003

Counties Represented: Carlton, Cook, Lake, St. Louis

Occupation: Labor Representative, Lakes and Plains Regional Council of Carpenters and Joiners Union Local 606

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2005 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2005 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources: Public Lands and Waters
Finance: Environment, Agriculture and Economic Development Budget Division
Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Economic Development and Tourism (Chair)
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Taxes

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83rd Legislative Session (2003-2004)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/7/2003

Body: Senate

District: 06

Elected: 11/5/2002

Residence: Cook

Term of Office: 1/6/2003 to 12/31/2006
Oath Date: 1/7/2003

Counties Represented: Carlton, Cook, Lake, St. Louis

Occupation: Labor Representative

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Notes: When the 2003 1st Special Session ended, he left the DFL caucus, but remained in the DFL party. He returned to the DFL caucus before the 2004 session convened. The legislature was not in session while he was not a member of the DFL caucus.

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2003 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author 2003 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Finance: Early Childhood-Grade 12 Education Budget Division-2003/K-12 Education Budget Division-2004
Finance: Environment, Agriculture and Economic Development Budget Division
Jobs, Housing and Community Development-2003/Jobs, Energy and Community Development-2004
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Taxes

Session Notes: He served on the 2003 Early Childhood-Grade 12 Education Budget Division.

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82nd Legislative Session (2001-2002)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2001

Body: House

District: 06A

Elected: 11/7/2000

Residence: Cook

Term of Office: 1/1/2001 to 1/5/2003
Oath Date: 1/3/2001

Counties Represented: Cook, Koochiching, Lake, St. Louis

Occupation: Labor Representative

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2001 1st Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Commerce, Jobs, and Economic Development Minutes
Environment and Natural Resources Finance Minutes
Environment and Natural Resources Policy Minutes

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81st Legislative Session (1999-2000)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/5/1999

Body: House

District: 06A

Elected: 11/3/1998

Residence: Cook

Term of Office: 1/4/1999 to 12/31/2000
Oath Date: 1/5/1999

Counties Represented: Cook, Koochiching, Lake, St. Louis

Occupation: Labor Representative

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Commerce Minutes
Environment and Natural Resources Finance Minutes
Environment and Natural Resources Policy Minutes

80th Legislative Session (1997-1998)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/7/1997

Body: House

District: 06A

Elected: 11/5/1996

Residence: Cook

Term of Office: 1/6/1997 to 1/3/1999
Oath Date: 1/7/1997

Counties Represented: Cook, Koochiching, Lake, St. Louis

Occupation: Labor Representative

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Environment and Natural Resources Minutes
Environment and Natural Resources: Land Sales Minutes
Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Finance
Labor-Management Relations
Taxes Minutes
Taxes: Sales and Income Tax Division Minutes

79th Legislative Session (1995-1996)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/1995

Body: House

District: 06A

Elected: 11/8/1994

Residence: Cook

Term of Office: 1/2/1995 to 1/5/1997
Oath Date: 1/3/1995

Counties Represented: Cook, Koochiching, Lake, St. Louis

Occupation: Labor Representative/Carpenter

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Environment and Natural Resources
International Trade and Economic Development
Labor-Management Relations
Taxes
Taxes: Sales and Income Tax Division

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OTHER INFORMATION

Articles & Books About

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

2000 (06A)

2001 (06A)

2002 (06A)

2003 (06)

2004 (06)

2005 (06)

2006 (06)

2007 (06)

2008 (06)

2009 (06)

These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.

Photographs

Tom Bakk and Jeremy Miller discuss legislation during a floor session. Tom Bakk is an Independent from Cook and Jeremy Miller is a Republican from Winona. 3/10/2021. Photo credit: Catherine Davis, Senate Media Services.

Tom Bakk and Paul Gazelka converse on the Senate Floor during session. Tom Bakk is a Democrat from Cook and Paul Gazelka is a Republican from Nisswa. 5/14/2018. Photo credit: David Oakes, Senate Media Services.

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