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    Pugh, Thomas W. "Tom"

    Sessions Served    Other Information

    House 1989-2004 (District 39A)

    Party when first elected:  Democratic-Farmer-Labor

    Counties Served:  Dakota

    BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

    Date of Birth: 8/??/1949
    Birth Place: South Saint Paul, Minnesota
    Birth County: Dakota
    Birth Country: United States
    Date of Death:
    Gender: Male
    Religion: Lutheran
    Reported Minority: None Reported
    Other Names: Tom
    City of Residence (when first elected): South Saint Paul
    Occupation (when first elected): Attorney

    EDUCATION

    South Saint Paul High School; Secondary; Graduate, 1967
    Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire; A.B.; Government, Political Science; Cum Laude, 1971
    University of Minnesota, Law School; J.D.; 1976

    OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

    State Public Defender/Office: Dakota County, Minnesota (Public Defender, Specialized in Children in Need of Protection Cases); 19?? to ?
    State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commissioner, Appointed by Governor Tim Pawlenty); 09/01/2004 to 01/2011 [Appointed]
    Judge: 1st Judicial District, Minnesota (District Court Judge, Appointed by Governor Mark Dayton); 12/29/2011 to 2019 [Appointed]

    FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

    Spouse: Susan (married in 1971)
    Children: Two children: Aimee (daughter), Doug (son)
    Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

    GENERAL NOTES

    He grew up in South St. Paul, Minnesota.

    He ran unsuccessfully for the Minnesota House of Representatives in the 1986 election.

    He played hockey in college.

    He was a member of Luther Memorial Church in South St. Paul, Minnesota.

    Religion provided by a newspaper article.

    Most recent term photo
    Click to view
    Total Days Served: 5720

    SESSIONS SERVED

    83rd Legislative Session (2003-2004)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 39A
    Elected: 11/5/2002
    Residence: South Saint Paul
    Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 8/31/2004 (unfinished term)
    Counties Represented: Dakota
    Occupation: Attorney
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Special Session Bills Authored:     2003 1st Sp.S. - Author
    Committees:
    Reason for unfinished term: Appointed to other office
    Session Notes: He was appointed by Governor Tim Pawlenty to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission in 2004. No special election was held for this seat.
    term photo
    Click to view

    82nd Legislative Session (2001-2002)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 39A
    Elected: 11/7/2000
    Residence: South Saint Paul
    Term of Office: 1/3/2001 to 1/6/2003
    Counties Represented: Dakota
    Occupation: Attorney
    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:
    • Rules and Legislative Administration Minutes
    Leadership Position: Minority Leader
    term photo
    Click to view

    81st Legislative Session (1999-2000)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 39A
    Elected: 11/3/1998
    Residence: South Saint Paul
    Term of Office: 1/5/1999 to 1/2/2001
    Counties Represented: Dakota
    Occupation: Attorney
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    Leadership Position: Minority Leader

    80th Legislative Session (1997-1998)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 39A
    Elected: 11/5/1996
    Residence: South Saint Paul
    Term of Office: 1/7/1997 to 1/4/1999
    Counties Represented: Dakota
    Occupation: Attorney
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Commerce, Tourism and Consumer Affairs Minutes
    • Commerce, Tourism and Consumer Affairs: Business Regulation Minutes
    • Judiciary
    • Judiciary: Data Practices
    • Judiciary: Judiciary Finance Division
    • Ways and Means

    79th Legislative Session (1995-1996)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 39A
    Elected: 11/8/1994
    Residence: South Saint Paul
    Term of Office: 1/3/1995 to 1/6/1997
    Counties Represented: Dakota
    Occupation: Attorney
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • Commerce, Tourism and Consumer Affairs
    • Commerce, Tourism and Consumer Affairs: Consumer Affairs
    • Commerce, Tourism and Consumer Affairs: Real Estate and Commerce
    • Ethics
    • Governmental Operations
    • Governmental Operations: Administrative Rules
    • Governmental Operations: Gambling Division
    • Judiciary
    • Judiciary: Civil Law (Chair)
    • Judiciary: Data Practices
    • Judiciary Finance
    • Rules and Legislative Administration: Administration
    term photo
    Click to view

    78th Legislative Session (1993-1994)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 39A
    Elected: 11/3/1992
    Residence: South Saint Paul
    Term of Office: 1/5/1993 to 1/2/1995
    Counties Represented: Dakota
    Occupation: Attorney
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Committees:
    • Environment and Natural Resources Finance
    • Ethics
    • Judiciary
    • Judiciary: Civil Law (Chair)
    • Judiciary: Data Privacy
    • Judiciary: Judiciary Finance Division
    • Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs
    • Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs: Transit (Chair)
    • Rules and Legislative Administration

    77th Legislative Session (1991-1992)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 39A
    Elected: 11/6/1990
    Residence: South Saint Paul
    Term of Office: 1/8/1991 to 1/4/1993
    Counties Represented: Dakota
    Occupation: Attorney
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Committees:
    • Appropriations
    • Appropriations: State Government Division
    • Environment and Natural Resources
    • Financial Institutions and Insurance
    • Judiciary
    • Judiciary: Civil Law (Chair)
    • Judiciary: Data Privacy
    • Judiciary: Family Law
    term photo
    Click to view

    76th Legislative Session (1989-1990)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 39A
    Elected: 11/8/1988
    Residence: South Saint Paul
    Term of Office: 1/3/1989 to 1/7/1991
    Counties Represented: Dakota
    Occupation: Attorney
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Committees:
    • Appropriations
    • Appropriations: Computer
    • Appropriations: Health and Human Services Division
    • Environment and Natural Resources
    • Environment and Natural Resources: Environment
    • Insurance
    • Judiciary
    • Judiciary: Civil Law
    • Judiciary: Privacy (Chair)

    OTHER INFORMATION

    Articles & Books About
    Miranda, Maricella. "He Thinks the Robe Will Fit." St. Paul Pioneer Press, December 28, 2011, p. 1B, 4B.

    Donovan, Sandy. "Pugh Hopes to Fare Well in New Role Guiding DFL." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, January 15, 1999, p. 13.


    District Files

    District File - 2000 District 39A
    District File - 2002 District 39A
    District File - 2003 District 39A
    These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.

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

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