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Westrom, Torrey

Official Senate Web Page Sessions Served

Other Information

House 1997-2002 (District 13A); House 2003-2012 (District 11A); Senate 2013-2022 (District 12); Senate 2023-Present (District 12)

Party when first elected: Republican

Counties Served: Big Stone, Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Wilkin

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 3/27/1973

Birth Place: ,

Birth County:

Birth Country:

Date of Death:

Gender: Male

Religion: Evangelical Free Christian

Reported Minority: None Reported

Other Names:

City of Residence (when first elected): Elbow Lake

Occupation (when first elected): Business

EDUCATION

Elbow Lake High School; Secondary; 1991
West Central School of Agriculture, Morris, Minnesota; Secondary;
Bemidji State University; B.A.; Political Science and Business Administration, 1995
William Mitchell College of Law; J.D.; 2003

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Single (when first elected); Anna (married while in office)
Children: Three children (born while he was in office): Madelyne and Whitney (daughters, twins); Carter Thomas (son)
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

He was the first known blind member of the Minnesota Legislature. He became blind at the age of 14 due to a car accident on his family's dairy farm. (Minnesota had elected a blind person, named Thomas Schall, to the United States Congress. He served in the United States House of Representatives from 1915 to 1925 and in the United States Senate from 1925-1935.)

On May 17, 2011 he was called upon to act as Speaker Pro Tempore, making him the first known blind person to oversee state House debate in the United States.

Special Legislative Concerns: Reinvigorate Minnesota economy to promote more job growth by the private sector, especially rural counties. Create a more efficient government through innovation and reform. Promote private sector job growth and value-added agriculture.

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

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Total Days Served: 10342

SESSIONS SERVED

94th Legislative Session (2025-2026) (second half of Senate term)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/14/2025

Body: Senate

District: 12

Elected: 11/8/2022

Residence: Alexandria

Term of Office: 1/2/2023 to 1/3/2027
Oath Date: 1/2/2023

Counties Represented: Big Stone, Douglas, Pope, Stearns, Stevens, Swift

Occupation: Small business owner, Attorney

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development [He was co-chair from 1/14/2025 to 2/3/2025.]
Environment, Climate, and Legacy [He served on this committee from 1/14/2025 to 2/3/2025.]
Finance [He served on this committee from 1/14/2025 to 2/3/2025.]
Judiciary and Public Safety

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93rd Legislative Session (2023-2024)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2023

Body: Senate

District: 12

Elected: 11/8/2022

Residence: Alexandria

Term of Office: 1/2/2023 to 1/3/2027
Oath Date: 1/3/2023

Counties Represented: Big Stone, Douglas, Pope, Stearns, Stevens, Swift

Occupation: Small business owner, Attorney

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Agriculture, Broadband and Rural Development
Finance

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92nd Legislative Session (2021-2022)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/5/2021

Body: Senate

District: 12

Elected: 11/3/2020

Residence: Elbow Lake

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

Counties Represented: Big Stone, Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stearns, Stevens, Traverse, Wilkin

Occupation: Attorney, Small business owner

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

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

Committees:

Agriculture and Rural Development Finance and Policy (Chair)
Civil Law and Data Practices Policy
Local Government Policy
Technology and Reform Policy

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

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/2019

Body: Senate

District: 12

Elected: 11/8/2016

Residence: Elbow Lake

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

Counties Represented: Big Stone, Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stearns, Stevens, Traverse, Wilkin

Occupation: Attorney, Small Business Owner; Torrey Westrom Law Office

Party: Republican

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 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 Finance (Chair)
Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Policy
Finance
State Government Finance and Policy and Elections

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90th Legislative Session (2017-2018)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2017

Body: Senate

District: 12

Elected: 11/8/2016

Residence: Elbow Lake

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

Counties Represented: Big Stone, Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stearns, Stevens, Traverse, Wilkin

Occupation: Attorney, Small Business Owner; Torrey Westrom Law Office

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Finance (Chair)
Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Policy
Finance
State Government Finance and Policy and Elections
Transportation Finance and Policy

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

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/2015

Body: Senate

District: 12

Elected: 11/6/2012

Residence: Elbow Lake

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

Counties Represented: Big Stone, Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stearns, Stevens, Traverse, Wilkin

Occupation: Attorney, Small Business Owner; Torrey Westrom Law Office

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Finance
Finance: Environment, Economic Development and Agriculture Budget Division - 2015 / Natural Resources, Economic Development and Agriculture Budget Division - 2016
Finance: Transportation and Public Safety Budget Division
Transportation and Public Safety

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88th Legislative Session (2013-2014)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/2013

Body: Senate

District: 12

Elected: 11/6/2012

Residence: Elbow Lake

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

Counties Represented: Big Stone, Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stearns, Stevens, Traverse, Wilkin

Occupation: Attorney, Small Business Owner; Torrey Westrom Law Office

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

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

Committees:

Finance
Finance: Environment, Economic Development, and Agriculture Division
Finance: Transportation and Public Safety Division
Transportation and Public Safety

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87th Legislative Session (2011-2012)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/2011

Body: House

District: 11A

Elected: 11/2/2010

Residence: Elbow Lake

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

Counties Represented: Douglas, Grant, Stevens

Occupation: Attorney, Lawyer/Small Business

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Civil Law (Chair) Minutes
Rules and Legislative Administration Minutes
Ways and Means Minutes

Leadership Position: Speaker Pro Tempore - On May 17, 2011 he was called upon to act as Speaker Pro Tempore, making him the first known blind person to oversee state House debate in the United States.

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86th Legislative Session (2009-2010)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/2009

Body: House

District: 11A

Elected: 11/4/2008

Residence: Elbow Lake

Term of Office: 1/5/2009 to 1/2/2011
Oath Date: 1/6/2009

Counties Represented: Douglas, Grant, Stevens

Occupation: Attorney/Small Business

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Civil Justice Minutes
Finance: Energy Finance and Policy Division Minutes
Rules and Legislative Administration Minutes
Ways and Means Minutes

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85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2007

Body: House

District: 11A

Elected: 11/7/2006

Residence: Elbow Lake

Term of Office: 1/1/2007 to 1/4/2009
Oath Date: 1/3/2007

Counties Represented: Douglas, Grant, Stevens

Occupation: Attorney/Small Business, Real Estate

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Finance Minutes
Finance: Energy Finance and Policy Division Minutes
Public Safety and Civil Justice Minutes
Rules and Legislative Administration Minutes

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84th Legislative Session (2005-2006)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/2005

Body: House

District: 11A

Elected: 11/2/2004

Residence: Elbow Lake

Term of Office: 1/3/2005 to 12/31/2006
Oath Date: 1/4/2005

Counties Represented: Douglas, Grant, Stevens

Occupation: Real Estate

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

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

Committees:

Civil Law and Elections Minutes
Environment and Natural Resources Minutes
Regulated Industries (Chair) Minutes

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83rd Legislative Session (2003-2004)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/7/2003

Body: House

District: 11A

Elected: 11/5/2002

Residence: Elbow Lake

Term of Office: 1/6/2003 to 1/2/2005
Oath Date: 1/7/2003

Counties Represented: Douglas, Grant, Stevens

Occupation: Business

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

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

Committees:

Agriculture Policy Minutes
Regulated Industries (Chair) Minutes
Transportation Finance Minutes

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82nd Legislative Session (2001-2002)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2001

Body: House

District: 13A

Elected: 11/7/2000

Residence: Elbow Lake

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

Counties Represented: Big Stone, Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stevens, Swift, Traverse

Occupation: Business Manager

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

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

Committees:

Agriculture and Rural Development Finance Minutes
Agriculture and Rural Development Policy Minutes
Regulated Industries Minutes
Transportation Policy Minutes

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81st Legislative Session (1999-2000)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/5/1999

Body: House

District: 13A

Elected: 11/3/1998

Residence: Elbow Lake

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

Counties Represented: Big Stone, Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stevens, Swift, Traverse

Occupation: Business

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Agriculture and Rural Development Finance Minutes
Agriculture Policy Minutes
Transportation Finance Minutes
Transportation Policy Minutes

80th Legislative Session (1997-1998)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/7/1997

Body: House

District: 13A

Elected: 11/5/1996

Residence: Elbow Lake

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

Counties Represented: Big Stone, Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stevens, Swift, Traverse

Occupation: Business

Party: Republican

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Agriculture Minutes
Agriculture: Joint House/Senate Special Select Subcommittee on Agricultural Education Minutes
Financial Institutions and Insurance Minutes
Transportation and Transit Minutes
Transportation and Transit: Transportation and Transit Finance Division Minutes
Transportation and Transit: Transportation Operations Minutes

OTHER INFORMATION

Articles & Books About

Session Interviews

House Interview 2003 (Video)

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.