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Torres Ray, Patricia

Sessions Served

Other Information

Senate 2007-2012 (District 62); Senate 2013-2022 (District 63)

Party when first elected: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Counties Served: Hennepin

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 3/25/1964

Birth Place: Pasto,

Birth County:

Birth Country: Colombia

Date of Death:

Gender: Female

Religion: Catholic

Reported Minority: Hispanic, Latino or Spanish Origin

Other Names:

Former Name: Torres

City of Residence (when first elected): Minneapolis

Occupation (when first elected): Consultant/Social Services, Minnesota Department of Human Services

EDUCATION

Catholic Schools; Elementary School;
Sagrado Corzon de Jesus Bethlemitas High School, Colombia; Secondary;
University of Minnesota; B.A.; Urban Studies
University of Minnesota, Humphrey Institute; M.P.A.; Public Affairs, 2004
University, Pasto, Colombia; Studied Law;

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

Judicial Administration: Hennepin County Juvenile Court, Minnesota (Juvenile Court Consultant); [Dates Unknown]

State Board/Commission/Council: Minnesota State Ombudsperson for Families; 1992 to ?

State Agency: Minnesota Department of Human Services (Policy Analyst/Program Administrator); 1998 to 2006

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Jackson "Jack" Ray (married in 1987)
Children: Two children: Tomas and Carlos (sons)
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

Special Legislative Concerns: education, health and human services, environment, economic development.

She was the first known Hispanic woman to serve in the Minnesota Senate. (Star Tribune, December 1, 2006) Edwina Garcia was the first known Hispanic woman to serve in the Minnesota Legislature.

She moved to Minnesota in November 1987.

She ran for the 5th Congressional District in the 2018 election. She lost the primary and continued her term in the Senate.

She announced she would not seek reelection in 2022.

Religion provided by the Catholic Spirit, January 18, 2007, p. 11.

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Total Days Served: 5845

SESSIONS SERVED

92nd Legislative Session (2021-2022)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/5/2021

Body: Senate

District: 63

Elected: 11/3/2020

Residence: Minneapolis

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

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: Consultant

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Energy and Utilities Finance and Policy
Environment and Natural Resources Finance
Rules and Administration: Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct

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

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/2019

Body: Senate

District: 63

Elected: 11/8/2016

Residence: Minneapolis

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

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: Consultant

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2020 1st Sp.S. - Chief Author    2020 1st Sp.S. - Author
2020 2nd Sp.S. - Chief Author    2020 2nd Sp.S. - Author
2020 5th Sp.S. - Chief Author    2020 5th Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

E-12 Finance and Policy
Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance
Local Government

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90th Legislative Session (2017-2018)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2017

Body: Senate

District: 63

Elected: 11/8/2016

Residence: Minneapolis

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

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: Consultant

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

E-12 Finance
Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance
Local Government

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

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/2015

Body: Senate

District: 63

Elected: 11/6/2012

Residence: Minneapolis

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

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: Consultant

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:

Education
Finance: E-12 Policy and Budget Division
Finance: Higher Education and Workforce Development Budget Division
Finance: State Departments and Veterans Budget Division
Finance: Subcommittee on Equity
Higher Education and Workforce Development
State and Local Government (Chair)

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88th Legislative Session (2013-2014)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/8/2013

Body: Senate

District: 63

Elected: 11/6/2012

Residence: Minneapolis

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

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: Consultant

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Education (Chair)
Finance: E-12 Division
Finance: Higher Education and Workforce Development Division
Higher Education and Workforce Development
State and Local Government

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87th Legislative Session (2011-2012)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/4/2011

Body: Senate

District: 62

Elected: 11/2/2010

Residence: Minneapolis

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

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: Consultant

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Education
Jobs and Economic Growth
State Government Innovation and Veterans

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

Session Details Convened Date: 1/6/2009

Body: Senate

District: 62

Elected: 11/7/2006

Residence: Minneapolis

Term of Office: 1/1/2007 to 1/2/2011
Oath Date: 1/3/2007

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: Consultant

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Special Session Bills Authored: 2010 2nd Sp.S. - Author

Committees:

Education
Finance: E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division
Finance: E-12 Education Budget and Policy Division: Integration Aid
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division: Clean Water Legacy
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division: Energy Subdivision
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division: Parks and Trails Legacy (Chair)
Health, Housing and Family Security

Leadership Position: Majority Whip

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85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

Session Details Convened Date: 1/3/2007

Body: Senate

District: 62

Elected: 11/7/2006

Residence: Minneapolis

Term of Office: 1/1/2007 to 1/2/2011
Oath Date: 1/3/2007

Counties Represented: Hennepin

Occupation: Consultant/Social Services, Minnesota Department of Human Services

Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor

Bills Authored: Chief Author Author

Committees:

Education
Finance: E-12 Education Budget Division
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division
Finance: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Budget Division: Energy Subdivision
Health, Housing and Family Security

Leadership Position: Majority Whip

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OTHER INFORMATION

Articles & Books About

Peterson-de la Cueva, Lisa. "Primed for Power: Patricia Torres Ray is Working to Launch More Women into Elected Office." Minnesota Women's Press, October 2014, p. 10-11.

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

2007 (62)

2008 (62)

2009 (62)

These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.

Photographs

Chris Eaton, Melisa López-Franzen, and Patricia Torres Ray converse on tthe Senate Floor. Chris Eaton is a Democrat from Brooklyn Center, Melisa Franzen is Democrat from Edina, and Patricia Torres Ray is a Democrat from Minneapolis. 4/12/2018. Photo credit: A.J. Olmscheid, Senate Media Services.

Patricia Torres Ray and Chris Eaton review legislation during a floor session in the Senate Chamber. Patricia Torres Ray is a Democrat from Minneapolis and Chris Eaton is a Democrat from Brooklyn Center. 2/26/2015. Photo credit: David Oakes, Senate Media Services.

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