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    Ward, John

    Sessions Served    Other Information

    House 2007-2012 (District 12A); House 2013-2014 (District 10A)

    Party when first elected:  Democratic-Farmer-Labor

    Counties Served:  Crow Wing

    BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

    Date of Birth: 8/2/1950
    Birth Place: Duluth, Minnesota
    Birth County: St. Louis
    Birth Country: United States
    Date of Death:
    Gender: Male
    Religion: Catholic
    Reported Minority: None Reported
    Other Names:
    City of Residence (when first elected): Brainerd
    Occupation (when first elected): Educator; Teacher, Special Education Teacher, and High School Coach, Elementary to Senior High School, 33 Years

    EDUCATION

    Proctor High School; Secondary; Class President, Graduate, 1968
    University of Minnesota, Duluth; B.S.; Physical Education and Health; Coaching and Driver’s Education Certification, 1973
    University of Minnesota, Duluth; M.A.; Special Education, 1982
    University of Wisconsin, Superior; E.B.D.; Emotional Behavior Disorders, 1984

    OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

    Municipal Council/Aldermen: Proctor, Minnesota (City Council); 1982 to 1983 [Elected]
    Municipal Mayor: Proctor, Minnesota (City Mayor); 1984 to 1987 [Elected]

    FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

    Spouse: Sally Gfrerer (married on April 27, 1974)
    Children: Four children: Amy, Eric, Ryan, and Shannon
    Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

    GENERAL NOTES

    He grew up in Proctor, Minnesota.

    Religion provided by the 2006 WCCO TV Voters' Guide.

    Most recent term photo
    Click to view
    Total Days Served: 2925

    SESSIONS SERVED

    88th Legislative Session (2013-2014)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 10A
    Elected: 11/6/2012
    Residence: Baxter
    Term of Office: 1/8/2013 to 1/5/2015
    Counties Represented: Crow Wing
    Occupation: Licensed Insurance Agent/Retired Educator/Coach
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Special Session Bills Authored:     2013 1st Sp.S. - Author
    Committees:
    • Capital Investment Minutes
    • Jobs and Economic Development Finance and Policy Minutes
    • Legacy Minutes
    • Public Safety Finance and Policy Minutes
    • Rules and Legislative Administration Minutes
    Leadership Position: Assistant Majority Leader
    Ran in next election? Yes. Defeated in general election
    term photo
    Click to view

    87th Legislative Session (2011-2012)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 12A
    Elected: 11/2/2010
    Residence: Brainerd
    Term of Office: 1/4/2011 to 1/7/2013
    Counties Represented: Crow Wing
    Occupation: Retired Educator, Teacher
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Special Session Bills Authored:     2012 1st Sp.S. - Author
    Committees:
    • Agriculture and Rural Development Policy and Finance Minutes
    • Capital Investment Minutes
    • Education Finance Minutes
    term photo
    Click to view

    86th Legislative Session (2009-2010)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 12A
    Elected: 11/4/2008
    Residence: Brainerd
    Term of Office: 1/6/2009 to 1/3/2011
    Counties Represented: Crow Wing
    Occupation: Retired High School and Elementary Teacher/Licensed Insurance Agent
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Special Session Bills Authored:     2010 1st Sp.S. - Author
    Committees:
    • Finance: Early Childhood Finance and Policy Division Minutes
    • Finance: K-12 Education Finance Division Minutes
    • Finance: Public Safety Finance Division Minutes
    term photo
    Click to view

    85th Legislative Session (2007-2008)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 12A
    Elected: 11/7/2006
    Residence: Brainerd
    Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 1/5/2009
    Counties Represented: Crow Wing
    Occupation: Educator; Teacher, Special Education Teacher, and High School Coach, Elementary to Senior High School, 33 Years
    Party: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
    Bills Authored: Chief Author     Author
    Committees:
    • E-12 Education Minutes
    • Finance: Education Finance and Economic Competitiveness Finance Division Minutes
    • Finance: Education Finance and Economic Competitiveness Finance Division: Early Childhood Learning Finance Division Minutes
    • Finance: State Government Finance Division Minutes
    term photo
    Click to view

    OTHER INFORMATION

    Session Interviews
    Session Interview (Video) 2010 House Interview

    Session Interview (Video) 2008 House Interview

    Session Interview (Video) 2007 House Interview


    Articles & Books About
    Cook, Mike. "Not Slowing Down: Ward Continues His Public Service in St. Paul." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, January 26, 2007, p. 18.


    District Files

    District File - 2007 District 12A
    District File - 2008 District 12A
    District File - 2009 District 12A
    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.

    Legislators Past & Present Home