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Tomassoni, David J. "Dave"

Sessions Served

Other Information

House 1993-2000 (District 5B); Senate 2000-2012 (District 5); Senate 2013-2022 (District 6)

Party when first elected: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Counties Served: Itasca, St. Louis

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 12/5/1952

Birth Place: ,

Birth County:

Birth Country:

Date of Death: 8/11/2022

Gender: Male

Religion: Catholic

Reported Minority: None Reported

Other Names: Dave

City of Residence (when first elected): Chisholm

Occupation (when first elected): Insurance

EDUCATION

Chisholm High School; Secondary;
University of Denver; B.S.B.A.; Business Administration

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Charlotte
Children: Three children: Danny and Dante (sons); Chauntell (daughter)
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

Special Legislative Concerns: mining, logging, education, taxes, environment, economic development, seniors, veterans.

He played professional hockey in Italy for 16 years and played on the Italian Olympic hockey team in 1984.

He was president of the Chisholm Italian-American Club.

He announced he was living with ALS or Lou Gehrig's on July 17, 2021 in the Mesabi Tribune.

He announced he would not seek reelection in 2022.

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

His funeral was held on August 19, 2022, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Chisholm. He was buried at Chisholm Cemetery.

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Total Days Served: 10813

SESSIONS SERVED

92nd Legislative Session (2021-2022)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 06

Elected: 11/3/2020

Residence: Chisholm

Term of Office: 1/4/2021 to 8/11/2022 (unfinished term)

Counties Represented: Itasca, St. Louis

Occupation: Legislator

Party: Independent-No Party Affiliation Party Notes: Sen. David Tomassoni and Sen. Tom Bakk 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:

Environment and Natural Resources Finance
Higher Education Finance and Policy (Chair)
Mining and Forestry Policy

Leadership Position: President Pro Tempore

Reason for unfinished term: Death

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

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 06

Elected: 11/8/2016

Residence: Chisholm

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

Counties Represented: Itasca, St. Louis

Occupation: Legislator

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 3rd Sp.S. - Chief Author    2020 3rd Sp.S. - Author
2020 4th Sp.S. - Chief Author    2020 4th 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:

Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Policy
Capital Investment
Environment and Natural Resources Finance

Leadership Position: President of the Senate
Leadership Notes: On November 12, 2020, during the 6th Special Session, he was elected President of the Senate for the remainder of the Ninety-First Legislature.

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90th Legislative Session (2017-2018)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 06

Elected: 11/8/2016

Residence: Chisholm

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

Counties Represented: Itasca, St. Louis

Occupation: Legislator

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Policy
E-12 Finance
Environment and Natural Resources Finance

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

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 06

Elected: 11/6/2012

Residence: Chisholm

Term of Office: 1/7/2013 to 1/1/2017

Counties Represented: Itasca, St. Louis

Occupation: Legislator

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:

Capital Investment
Finance
Finance: Environment, Economic Development and Agriculture Budget Division - 2015 / Natural Resources, Economic Development and Agriculture Budget Division - 2016 (Chair)
Finance: Subcommittee on Legacy
Finance: Transportation and Public Safety Budget Division
Transportation and Public Safety

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88th Legislative Session (2013-2014)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 06

Elected: 11/6/2012

Residence: Chisholm

Term of Office: 1/7/2013 to 1/1/2017

Counties Represented: Itasca, St. Louis

Occupation: Legislator

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

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

Committees:

Capital Investment
Finance
Finance: Environment, Economic Development, and Agriculture Division (Chair)
Finance: Subcommittee on Legacy
Finance: Transportation and Public Safety Division
Transportation and Public Safety

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87th Legislative Session (2011-2012)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 05

Elected: 11/2/2010

Residence: Chisholm

Term of Office: 1/3/2011 to 1/6/2013

Counties Represented: St. Louis

Occupation: Legislator

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Capital Investment
Higher Education
Jobs and Economic Growth

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

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 05

Elected: 11/7/2006

Residence: Chisholm

Term of Office: 1/1/2007 to 1/2/2011

Counties Represented: St. Louis

Occupation: Legislator

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Business, Industry and Jobs
Business, Industry and Jobs: Bioscience and Renewable Energy Development
Capital Investment
Finance
Finance: Economic Development and Housing Budget Division (Chair)
Finance: Higher Education Budget and Policy Division
Health, Housing and Family Security: Joint Health, Housing and Family Security with Finance: Economic Development and Housing Budget Division: Housing (also subcommittee to Finance: Economic Development and Housing Budget Division)
Higher Education

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85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 05

Elected: 11/7/2006

Residence: Chisholm

Term of Office: 1/1/2007 to 1/2/2011

Counties Represented: St. Louis

Occupation: Legislator

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Business, Industry and Jobs
Capital Investment
Finance [He was a member in 2008 only.]
Finance: Economic Development Budget Division (Chair)
Finance: Higher Education Budget and Policy Division
Higher Education

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

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 05

Elected: 11/5/2002

Residence: Chisholm

Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/2/2007

Counties Represented: St. Louis

Occupation: Legislator

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

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

Committees:

Education
Finance: Higher Education Budget Division
State and Local Government Operations
Taxes

Leadership Position: Majority Whip

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83rd Legislative Session (2003-2004)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 05

Elected: 11/5/2002

Residence: Chisholm

Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/2/2007

Counties Represented: St. Louis

Occupation: Legislator

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

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

Committees:

Education
Finance: Higher Education Budget Division
State and Local Government Operations
Taxes

Leadership Position: Majority Whip

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82nd Legislative Session (2001-2002)

Session Details

Body: Senate

District: 05

Elected: 11/7/2000

Residence: Chisholm

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

Counties Represented: St. Louis

Occupation: Insurance Agent/Legislator

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Education
Education: Early Childhood-Grade 12 Education Budget Division
Environment and Natural Resources
Environment and Natural Resources: Environmental Protection
Taxes
Taxes: Income and Sales Tax Budget Division
Telecommunications, Energy and Utilities

Leadership Position: Majority Whip

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81st Legislative Session (1999-2000)

Session Details

Body: House

District: 05B

Elected: 11/3/1998

Residence: Chisholm

Term of Office: 1/5/1999 to 1/2/2001

Counties Represented: St. Louis

Occupation: Insurance

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Commerce Minutes
Education Policy Minutes
K-12 Education Finance Minutes

Leadership Position: Assistant Minority Leader

80th Legislative Session (1997-1998)

Session Details

Body: House

District: 05B

Elected: 11/5/1996

Residence: Chisholm

Term of Office: 1/7/1997 to 1/4/1999

Counties Represented: St. Louis

Occupation: Insurance

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Commerce, Tourism and Consumer Affairs Minutes
Commerce, Tourism and Consumer Affairs: Consumer Affairs Minutes
Commerce, Tourism and Consumer Affairs: Tourism Minutes
Education Minutes
Education: Education Planning and Transitions (Chair) Minutes
Education: K-12 Education Finance Division Minutes
Financial Institutions and Insurance Minutes

Leadership Position: Assistant Majority Leader

79th Legislative Session (1995-1996)

Session Details

Body: House

District: 05B

Elected: 11/8/1994

Residence: Chisholm

Term of Office: 1/3/1995 to 1/6/1997

Counties Represented: St. Louis

Occupation: Insurance

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
Commerce, Tourism and Consumer Affairs: Tourism
Education
Education: K-12 Education Finance Division
Financial Institutions and Insurance
Governmental Operations
Governmental Operations: Gambling Division

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78th Legislative Session (1993-1994)

Session Details

Body: House

District: 05B

Elected: 11/3/1992

Residence: Chisholm

Term of Office: 1/5/1993 to 1/2/1995

Counties Represented: St. Louis

Occupation: Insurance

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Committees:

Education
Education: Education Standards
Education: K-12 Education Finance Division
Education: K-12 Education Finance Division: Facilities
Governmental Operations and Gambling
Governmental Operations and Gambling: Gambling
Housing

OTHER INFORMATION

Articles & Books About

"Veteran Lawmaker Fought for Iron Range, Against ALS." Pioneer Press, August 14, 2022, p. 3A.
"The guy cared about people no matter where they were in life." Mesabi Tribune, August 12, 2022.
Price, Dave. "Rookie Lawmaker Tomassoni Inks Two-Year Deal." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, March 19, 1993, p. 19.

District Files

2000 (05B)

2001 (05)

2002 (05)

2003 (05)

2004 (05)

2005 (05)

2006 (05)

2007 (05)

2008 (05)

2009 (05)

These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.

Photographs

John Jasinski, Gary Dahms, John Hoffman, and David Tomassoni on the Minnesota Senate floor, St. Paul, Minnesota 3/1/2018. John Jasinski, Gary Dahms, John Hoffman, and David Tomassoni converse on the Senate Floor. John Jasinski is a Republican from Faribault, Gary Dahms is a Republican from Redwood Falls, John Hoffman is a Democrat from Champlin, and David Tomassoni is a Democrat from Chisholm. Photo credit: David Oakes, Senate Media Services.

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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Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, 321 State Capitol, Saint Paul, MN 55155