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Johnson, Dean Elton

Sessions Served

Other Information

House 1979-82 (District 21A); Senate 1983-2002 (District 15); Senate 2003-2006 (District 13)

Party when first elected: Independent Republican

Counties Served: Chippewa, Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Pope, Renville, Stearns, Yellow Medicine

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 6/24/1947

Birth Place: Lanesboro, Minnesota

Birth County: Fillmore

Birth Country: United States

Date of Death:

Gender: Male

Religion: Lutheran

Reported Minority: None Reported

Other Names:

City of Residence (when first elected): Willmar

Occupation (when first elected): Clergy/Chaplain, Minnesota Army National Guard/Former Pastor Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar

EDUCATION

Lanesboro High School; Secondary;
Luther College, Decorah, Iowa; B.A.; Business Administration
Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul; M.Div.; Master of Divinity
U.S. Army War College; M.S.S.; Strategic Studies, 2002

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

Military: Minnesota Army National Guard; 19?? to 2???

Municipal Government: Willmar, Minnesota (Fire Department); 19?? to 19??

Municipal Council/Aldermen: Willmar, Minnesota (City Council); 1977 to 1978 [Elected]

Board of Regents: University of Minnesota; 2007 to 2013 [Elected]

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Single (when first elected); Avonelle (first listed in 1985, she died in 2005 while he was in office); Widower
Children: One child
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

Special Legislative Concerns: criminal justice, business climate, agriculture, welfare reform, transportation, public education, rural economic development, telecommunications, taxes.

He grew up on a farm.

He served as Senate Minority Leader as an Independent Republican member and Senate Majority Leader as a Democratic-Farmer-Labor member.

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

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Total Days Served: 10227

SESSIONS SERVED

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

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/2005

Body: Senate

District: 13

Elected: 11/5/2002

Residence: Willmar

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

Counties Represented: Kandiyohi, Pope, Stearns

Occupation: Lutheran Pastor, Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar/National Guard Chaplain, Brigadier General

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:

Agriculture, Veterans and Gaming
Capital Investment
Finance: Transportation Budget Division
Rules and Administration (Chair)
Rules and Administration: Committees (Chair)
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules
Rules and Administration: Personnel (Chair)
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget
Transportation

Leadership Position: Majority Leader

Ran in next election? Yes. Defeated in general election

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83rd Legislative Session (2003-2004)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/7/2003

Body: Senate

District: 13

Elected: 11/5/2002

Residence: Willmar

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

Counties Represented: Kandiyohi, Pope, Stearns

Occupation: Lutheran Pastor, Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar/National Guard Chaplain, Brigadier General (Select)

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

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

Committees:

Agriculture, General Legislation and Veterans Affairs-2003/Agriculture, Veterans and Gaming-2004 [He was a member in 2004 only.]
Capital Investment
Finance [He was a member in 2003 only.]
Finance: Transportation Policy and Budget Division (Chair) [He was the Chair in 2003 only.]
Rules and Administration (Chair)
Rules and Administration: Elections
Rules and Administration: Ethical Conduct
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules
State and Local Government Operations

Leadership Position: Majority Leader - He was elected Majority Leader in 2004.

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82nd Legislative Session (2001-2002)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2001

Body: Senate

District: 15

Elected: 11/7/2000

Residence: Willmar

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

Counties Represented: Chippewa, Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Renville, Yellow Medicine

Occupation: Lutheran Minister, Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar/National Guard Chaplain

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

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

Committees:

Agriculture, General Legislation and Veterans Affairs
Finance
Finance: Transportation and Public Safety Budget Division (Chair)
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Elections
Rules and Administration: Ethical Conduct
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules
Transportation

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81st Legislative Session (1999-2000) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/5/1999

Body: Senate

District: 15

Elected: 11/5/1996

Residence: Willmar

Term of Office: 1/6/1997 to 12/31/2000
Oath Date: 1/7/1997

Counties Represented: Chippewa, Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Renville, Yellow Medicine

Occupation: Lutheran Pastor, Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar/National Guard Chaplain (Colonel)

Party: Republican Party Notes: He switched to the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party on January 12, 2000.

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Agriculture and Rural Development
Education Finance
Election Laws
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Committees
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget
Transportation
Transportation/State Government Finance: Transportation Budget Division

80th Legislative Session (1997-1998)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/7/1997

Body: Senate

District: 15

Elected: 11/5/1996

Residence: Willmar

Term of Office: 1/6/1997 to 12/31/2000
Oath Date: 1/7/1997

Counties Represented: Chippewa, Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Renville, Yellow Medicine

Occupation: Lutheran Pastor, Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar/National Guard Chaplain (Colonel)

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Agriculture and Rural Development
Education Finance
Election Laws
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Committees
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget
Transportation
Transportation/State Government Finance: Transportation Budget Division

Leadership Position: Minority Leader - He resigned from his position as Minority Leader in July 1997.

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79th Legislative Session (1995-1996) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/1995

Body: Senate

District: 15

Elected: 11/3/1992

Residence: Willmar

Term of Office: 1/4/1993 to 1/5/1997
Oath Date: 1/5/1993

Counties Represented: Chippewa, Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Renville, Yellow Medicine

Occupation: Lutheran Pastor, Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar/Chaplain (Colonel) Minnesota Army National Guard

Party: Independent Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Ethics and Campaign Reform
Finance
Finance: Capital Budget
Gaming Regulation
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Committees
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget

Leadership Position: Minority Leader

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78th Legislative Session (1993-1994)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/5/1993

Body: Senate

District: 15

Elected: 11/3/1992

Residence: Willmar

Term of Office: 1/4/1993 to 1/5/1997
Oath Date: 1/5/1993

Counties Represented: Chippewa, Kandiyohi, McLeod, Meeker, Renville, Yellow Medicine

Occupation: Lutheran Pastor, Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar/Chaplain (Colonel) MN Army National Guard

Party: Independent Republican

Committees:

Ethics and Campaign Reform
Finance
Gaming Regulation
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Committees
Rules and Administration: Permanent and Joint Rules
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget

Leadership Position: Minority Leader

77th Legislative Session (1991-1992)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/1991

Body: Senate

District: 15

Elected: 11/6/1990

Residence: Willmar

Term of Office: 1/7/1991 to 1/3/1993
Oath Date: 1/8/1991

Counties Represented: Kandiyohi, Pope, Stearns

Occupation: Lutheran Pastor, Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar/Chaplain (LTC) MN Army National Guard

Party: Independent Republican

Committees:

Elections and Ethics
Finance
Finance: Education Division
Finance: Joint Claims
Gaming Regulation
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Special Committee on Ethical Conduct
Transportation
Transportation: Commercial Policy
Veterans and General Legislation

Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader

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76th Legislative Session (1989-1990) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/1989

Body: Senate

District: 15

Elected: 11/4/1986

Residence: Willmar

Term of Office: 1/5/1987 to 1/6/1991
Oath Date: 1/6/1987

Counties Represented: Kandiyohi, Pope, Stearns

Occupation: Lutheran Pastor, Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar/Chaplain (LTC) MN Army National Guard

Party: Independent Republican

Committees:

Elections and Ethics
Finance
Finance: Education Division
Finance: Health and Human Services Division
Finance: Joint Claims
General Legislation and Public Gaming
Public Utilities and Energy
Public Utilities and Energy: Utilities
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Special Committee on Ethical Conduct

75th Legislative Session (1987-1988)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/1987

Body: Senate

District: 15

Elected: 11/4/1986

Residence: Willmar

Term of Office: 1/5/1987 to 1/6/1991
Oath Date: 1/6/1987

Counties Represented: Kandiyohi, Pope, Stearns

Occupation: Lutheran Pastor, Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar/Chaplain (Major) MN Army National Guard

Party: Independent Republican

Committees:

Elections and Ethics
Finance
Finance: Education Division
General Legislation and Public Gaming
Public Utilities and Energy
Public Utilities and Energy: Deregulated Industries
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Special Committee on Ethical Conduct

Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader

74th Legislative Session (1985-1986) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/1985

Body: Senate

District: 15

Elected: 11/2/1982

Residence: Willmar

Term of Office: 1/3/1983 to 1/4/1987
Oath Date: 1/4/1983

Counties Represented: Kandiyohi, Pope, Stearns

Occupation: Lutheran Pastor, Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar/Chaplain (Major) MN Army National Guard

Party: Independent Republican

Committees:

Elections and Ethics
Finance
Finance: Health and Human Services
Health and Human Services
Health and Human Services: Income Maintenance
Judiciary
Judiciary: Criminal Law
Judiciary: Judicial Administration
Rules and Administration: Special Committee on Ethical Conduct

Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader

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73rd Legislative Session (1983-1984)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/1983

Body: Senate

District: 15

Elected: 11/2/1982

Residence: Willmar

Term of Office: 1/3/1983 to 1/4/1987
Oath Date: 1/4/1983

Counties Represented: Kandiyohi, Pope, Stearns

Occupation: Lutheran Pastor, Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar/Realtor

Party: Independent Republican

Committees:

Elections and Ethics
Finance
Finance: Health and Human Services
Health and Human Services
Health and Human Services: Income Maintenance
Judiciary
Judiciary: Criminal Law
Judiciary: Judicial Administration
Rules and Administration: Special Committee on Ethical Conduct

72nd Legislative Session (1981-1982)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/1981

Body: House

District: 21A

Elected: 11/4/1980

Residence: Willmar

Term of Office: 1/5/1981 to 1/2/1983
Oath Date: 1/6/1981

Counties Represented: Kandiyohi

Occupation: Clergy, Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar/Real Estate

Party: Independent Republican

Committees:

Appropriations
Appropriations: State Departments Division
Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice: Law Enforcement and Corrections
Financial Institutions and Insurance
Financial Institutions and Insurance: Insurance

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71st Legislative Session (1979-1980)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/1979

Body: House

District: 21A

Elected: 11/7/1978

Residence: Willmar

Term of Office: 1/1/1979 to 1/4/1981
Oath Date: 1/3/1979

Counties Represented: Kandiyohi

Occupation: Clergy/Chaplain, Minnesota Army National Guard/Former Pastor Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar

Party: Independent Republican

Committees:

Appropriations
Appropriations: State Departments Division
Financial Institutions and Insurance
Financial Institutions and Insurance: Banking
Local and Urban Affairs
Local and Urban Affairs: Governmental Administration and Structures

OTHER INFORMATION

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 (15)

2001 (15)

2002 (15)

2003 (13)

2004 (13)

2005 (13)

2006 (13)

These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.

Audio

Gay Rights Speech, 1993. - from 3/18/93 Senate Floor Session

Photographs

Senator Dean Johnson speaks on the floor of the Senate, St. Paul, Minnesota. c. 1996. Photo credit: This image was scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library.

Senator Dean Johnson listens in committee, St. Paul, Minnesota. c. 1990. Photo credit: This image was scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library.

Senator Dean Johnson, Senator Clarence Purfeerst, and Representative Randy Kelly listen to testimony during a committee hearing, St. Paul, Minnesota. c. 1987-1990. Photo credit: This image was scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library.

Senator Donald Moe and Senator Dean Johnson confer during a committee hearing, St. Paul, Minnesota. c. 1987-1990. Photo credit: This image was scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library.

Senator Gary Laidig, Senator Donald Storm, and Senator Dean Johnson confer during a committee hearing, St. Paul, Minnesota. c. 1987-1990. Photo credit: This image was scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library.

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