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Johnson, Douglas J. "Doug, Dougie"

Sessions Served

Other Information

House 1971-72 (District 63); House 1973-76 (District 6B); Senate 1977-2002 (District 6)

Party when first elected: Nonpartisan Election-Liberal Caucus

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

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 8/17/1942

Birth Place: Cook, Minnesota

Birth County: St. Louis

Birth Country: United States

Date of Death: 11/7/2022

Gender: Male

Religion: Covenant

Reported Minority: None Reported

Other Names: Doug, Dougie

City of Residence (when first elected): Cook

Occupation (when first elected): High School Guidance Counselor

EDUCATION

Cook High School; Secondary; Graduate
Virginia Junior College; A.A.;
University of Minnesota, Duluth; B.S.;
University of Wisconsin, Superior; M.Ed.; Also Listed as Wisconsin State University

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

Municipal Mayor: Cook, Minnesota (City Mayor); 1965 to 19??

State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board; 1973 to 2002

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Single (when first elected); Denesse Hoole (married in 1996, while in office)
Children: Two children: Nicole and Alan
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

Special Legislative Concerns: economic development, education, natural resources, taxes, consumer protection.

He was a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.

He had a "reputation as a shrewd political strategist with a populist flair." (Timberjay obituary, November 9, 2022)

He ran for the Democratic-Farmer-Labor endorsement for the United States Senate in 1978.

He ran for the Democratic-Farmer-Labor endorsement for Minnesota Governor in 1998.

He was a member of Kappa Delta Pi and Phi Alpha Theta.

He was a member of Cook Covenant Church.

Religion provided by the Catholic Bulletin, 3/21/1975 and MN Legislative Manual, 1975-76.

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Total Days Served: 11690

SESSIONS SERVED

82nd Legislative Session (2001-2002)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 06

Elected: 11/7/2000

Residence: Tower

Term of Office: 1/3/2001 to 1/6/2003

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

Occupation: Legislator

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Capital Investment
Finance (Chair)
Finance: Environment and Agriculture Budget Division
Jobs, Housing and Community Development
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Elections

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

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 06

Elected: 11/5/1996

Residence: Tower

Term of Office: 1/7/1997 to 1/2/2001

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

Occupation: Retired Educator

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Election Laws
Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Housing and Economic Development
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Taxes (Chair)
Taxes: Income and Sales Tax
Taxes/Local and Metropolitan Government: Property Taxes and Local Government Budget Division

80th Legislative Session (1997-1998)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 06

Elected: 11/5/1996

Residence: Tower

Term of Office: 1/7/1997 to 1/2/2001

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

Occupation: High School Counselor

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Election Laws
Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Housing and Economic Development
Local and Metropolitan Government
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Taxes (Chair)
Taxes: Income and Sales Tax
Taxes/Local and Metropolitan Government: Property Taxes and Local Government Budget Division

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

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 06

Elected: 11/3/1992

Residence: Cook

Term of Office: 1/5/1993 to 1/6/1997

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

Occupation: High School Counselor, Cook High School

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Ethics and Campaign Reform
Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Economic Development and Housing
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Energy and Public Utilities
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget
Taxes and Tax Laws (Chair)
Taxes and Tax Laws: Income and Sales Tax
Taxes and Tax Laws: Property Tax

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78th Legislative Session (1993-1994)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 06

Elected: 11/3/1992

Residence: Cook

Term of Office: 1/5/1993 to 1/6/1997

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

Occupation: High School Counselor

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Ethics and Campaign Reform
Jobs, Energy and Community Development
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Economic Development and Housing
Jobs, Energy and Community Development: Energy and Public Utilities
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Rules and Administration: Senate Budget
Taxes and Tax Laws (Chair)
Taxes and Tax Laws: Income and Sales Tax
Taxes and Tax Laws: Property Tax

77th Legislative Session (1991-1992)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 06

Elected: 11/6/1990

Residence: Cook

Term of Office: 1/8/1991 to 1/4/1993

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

Occupation: High School Counselor

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Elections and Ethics
Energy and Public Utilities
Redistricting
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Taxes and Tax Laws (Chair)
Taxes and Tax Laws: Income, Sales, and Economic Development Division
Taxes and Tax Laws: Property Taxes and Local Government Aids Division

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

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 06

Elected: 11/4/1986

Residence: Cook

Term of Office: 1/6/1987 to 1/7/1991

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

Occupation: High School Counselor

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Elections and Ethics
Public Utilities and Energy
Public Utilities and Energy: Utilities
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Taxes and Tax Laws (Chair)
Taxes and Tax Laws: Economic Development
Taxes and Tax Laws: Income Tax Division
Taxes and Tax Laws: Property Taxes and Local Government Aids Division
Taxes and Tax Laws: Sales Tax Division

75th Legislative Session (1987-1988)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 06

Elected: 11/4/1986

Residence: Cook

Term of Office: 1/6/1987 to 1/7/1991

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

Occupation: High School Guidance Counselor

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Elections and Ethics
Public Utilities and Energy
Public Utilities and Energy: Deregulated Industries
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Taxes and Tax Laws (Chair)
Taxes and Tax Laws: Income Tax
Taxes and Tax Laws: Property Taxes and Local Government Aids
Taxes and Tax Laws: Sales Tax

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

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 06

Elected: 11/2/1982

Residence: Cook

Term of Office: 1/4/1983 to 1/5/1987

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

Occupation: High School Counselor

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Elections and Ethics
Public Utilities and State Regulated Industries
Public Utilities and State Regulated Industries: Public Utilities
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Bill Scheduling
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Taxes and Tax Laws (Chair)
Taxes and Tax Laws: Economic Development
Taxes and Tax Laws: Income Tax
Taxes and Tax Laws: Property Taxes and Local Government Aids

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73rd Legislative Session (1983-1984)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 06

Elected: 11/2/1982

Residence: Cook

Term of Office: 1/4/1983 to 1/5/1987

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

Occupation: High School Counselor, Cook High School

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Elections and Ethics
Public Utilities and State Regulated Industries
Public Utilities and State Regulated Industries: Public Utilities
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Bill Scheduling
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Taxes and Tax Laws (Chair)
Taxes and Tax Laws: Economic Development
Taxes and Tax Laws: Income Tax
Taxes and Tax Laws: Property Taxes and Local Government Aids

72nd Legislative Session (1981-1982)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 06

Elected: 11/4/1980

Residence: Cook

Term of Office: 1/6/1981 to 1/3/1983

Counties Represented: Cook, Lake, St. Louis

Occupation: High School Counselor, Cook High School

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Commerce
Commerce: Consumer Protection
Elections and Reapportionment
Rules and Administration
Rules and Administration: Bill Scheduling
Rules and Administration: Personnel
Taxes and Tax Laws (Chair)
Taxes and Tax Laws: Natural Resources Tax (Chair)

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71st Legislative Session (1979-1980) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 06

Elected: 11/2/1976

Residence: Cook

Term of Office: 1/4/1977 to 1/5/1981

Counties Represented: Cook, Lake, St. Louis

Occupation: High School Counselor

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Commerce
Commerce: Insurance
Elections
Taxes and Tax Laws
Taxes and Tax Laws: Sales and Property Tax

Leadership Position: Majority Whip

70th Legislative Session (1977-1978)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 06

Elected: 11/2/1976

Residence: Cook

Term of Office: 1/4/1977 to 1/5/1981

Counties Represented: Cook, Lake, St. Louis

Occupation: High School Guidance Counselor, Cook High School

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Commerce
Commerce: Insurance
Elections
Taxes and Tax Laws

Leadership Position: Majority Whip

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69th Legislative Session (1975-1976)

Session Details

Body: House

District: 06B

Elected: 11/5/1974

Residence: Cook

Term of Office: 1/7/1975 to 1/3/1977

Counties Represented: Cook, Lake, St. Louis

Occupation: High School Guidance Counselor

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Commerce and Economic Development (Chair)
Labor-Management Relations
Taxes

68th Legislative Session (1973-1974)

Session Details

Body: House

District: 06B

Elected: 11/7/1972

Residence: Cook

Term of Office: 1/2/1973 to 1/6/1975

Counties Represented: Cook, Lake, St. Louis

Occupation: High School Guidance Counselor

Party: Nonpartisan Election-Democratic-Farmer-Labor Caucus

Committees:

Commerce and Economic Development
Education
Environmental Preservation and Natural Resources
Local Government
Taxes

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67th Legislative Session (1971-1972)

Session Details

Body: House

District: 63

Elected: 11/3/1970

Residence: Cook

Term of Office: 1/5/1971 to 1/1/1973

Counties Represented: St. Louis

Occupation: High School Guidance Counselor

Party: Nonpartisan Election-Liberal Caucus

Committees:

Education
Environmental Preservation
General Legislation and Veterans Affairs
Natural Resources
Transportation

OTHER INFORMATION

Senate Photos

The photos in this collection were scanned from the files of the Minnesota Senate Photographer with the generous help of the Minnesota Digital Library.

Senator Doug Johnson and Representative Dee Long co-chair a committee, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Senator Doug Johnson speaks in committee, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Senator Doug Johnson, Representative Irv Anderson, and Senator Bob Lessard talk in the Senate Chamber, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Senator Doug Johnson, Senator Roger Moe, Senator Nick Coleman, and Senator Marvin Hanson discuss a bill during a committee hearing, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Senator Doug Johnson, Senator Steve Morse, and Senator Gene Merriam confer during a Senate floor session, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Senator Doug Johnson, Senator Steve Novak, and Senator John Bernhagen during a tax conference committee, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Senator Eric Petty, Senator Collin Peterson, Senator Doug Johnson, and Senator Steve Novak in a tax conference committee, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Senator Jack Davies and Senator Doug Johnson confer during a Senate floor session, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Senator Nick Coleman, Senator Doug Johnson, and others confer in the Governor's reception room, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Senator Sam Solon and Senator Doug Johnson pose with former Vice President Walter Mondale in the Senate Retiring Room, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Senators Eric Petty, Collin Peterson, Gene Merriam, Doug Johnson, and Steve Novak in a tax conference committee, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Senators Larry Pogemiller, Doug Johnson, LeRoy Stumpf, and Roger Moe confer with Representative Robert Vanasek and Representative Dee Long in a tax conference committee, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Senators Larry Pogemiller, Roger Moe, Doug Johnson, and LeRoy Stumpf at a DFL press conference, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Senators Marvin Hanson, Roger Moe, and Doug Johnson, and Representatives Irv Anderson, Harry Sieben, and Willis Eken, and others in negotiations prior to a 1981 special session to address the state's severe budget difficulties, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Articles & Books About
Riebe, Angie. "The Range will Miss Him: Longtime State Sen. Doug Johnson Remembered." Mesabi Tribune, November 12, 2022.

Olson, Rochelle. "Doug Johnson, 1942-2022: A DFL Giant and Fighter for the Range." Star Tribune, November 11, 2022, p. B1.

Helmberger, Marshall. "Longtime lawmaker Doug Johnson dies at 80." The Timberjay, November 9, 2022.

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

Legislators Past & Present Home

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