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{{unreferenced|date=May 2011}}
{{Politics of Minnesota}}
The '''Minnesota Senate''' is the [[upper house]] in the [[Minnesota Legislature]]. There are 67 members, half as many as are in the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]]. In terms of membership, it is the largest [[upper house]] of any [[State legislature (United States)|state legislature]]. Each Senate district in the state includes an ''A'' and ''B'' House district (e.g. Senate district 41 contains House districts 41A and 41B). The [[Minnesota Constitution]] forbids a House district to be within more than one Senate district. Before the 1960s, Senators were apportioned by [[county (US)|county]], resulting in the underrepresentation of those in cities. From statehood through 1972 the [[Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota]] served as [[List of Presidents of the Minnesota Senate|President of the Senate]]. In 1972 the voters approved a constitutional amendment that provided for the senate to elect its own president from among its members effective January 1973. Functionally, the leadership in the Senate is vested in the [[Majority Leader]].
Members are elected to four year terms in years ending in 2 and 6, and for two year terms in years ending in 0. Districts are redrawn after the census in time for the primary and general elections in years ending in 2. The state legislature is located in the [[Minnesota State Capitol]] building in [[Saint Paul, Minnesota]].
In the [[Minnesota Senate elections, 2010|2010 election]] the Republicans gained a majority for the first time since partisan identification returned to the legislature in 1974.
==Current session==
:''87th Legislature (2011-2012)''
{|class=wikitable style="text-align:center"
|- valign=bottom
!rowspan=3|Affiliation
!colspan=2|Party
!rowspan=3|Total
!
|- style="height:5px"
|{{American politics/party colors/Republican}}|
|{{American politics/party colors/Democratic}}|
|style="background: black"|
|-
![[Republican Party of Minnesota|Republican]]
!width=60|[[Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party|Democratic-Farmer-Labor]]
!Vacant
|-
!nowrap style="font-size:80%"|End of previous legislature
| 21
|{{party shading/Democratic}}| 46
! 67
|0
|-
|colspan=5|
|-
!nowrap style="font-size:80%"|Begin
| {{party shading/Republican}} rowspan=7| 37
| 30
! 67
|0
|-
!nowrap style="font-size:80%"|March 20, 2011
| 29
! 66
|1
|-
!nowrap style="font-size:80%"|April 12, 2011
| 30
! 67
|0
|-
!nowrap style="font-size:80%"|June 15, 2011
|29
! 66
|1
|-
!nowrap style="font-size:80%"|August 15, 2011
|28
!65
|2
|-
!nowrap style="font-size:80%"|October 18, 2011
|30
!67
|0
|-
!nowrap style="font-size:80%"|November 7, 2011
|29
!66
|1
|-
!Latest voting share
!{{party shading/Republican}}|56.1%
!43.9%
!colspan=2|
|}
President of the Senate: [[Michelle Fischbach]] ([[Republican Party of Minnesota|R]] - [[Paynesville, Minnesota|Paynesville]])
Majority Leader: [[Amy Koch]] ([[Republican Party of Minnesota|R]] - [[Buffalo, Minnesota|Buffalo]])
Minority Leader: [[Tom Bakk]] ([[Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party|DFL]] - [[Cook, Minnesota|Cook]])
===Members: 2011-2012===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! District
! Name
! Party
! Residence
! First elected
|-
| 1
| [[LeRoy A. Stumpf]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| [[Thief River Falls, Minnesota|Thief River Falls]]
| 1982
|-
| 2
| [[Rod Skoe]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| [[Clearbrook, Minnesota|Clearbrook]]
| 2002
|-
| 3
| [[Tom Saxhaug]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| [[Grand Rapids, Minnesota|Grand Rapids]]
| 2002
|-
| 4
| [[John Carlson (Minnesota politician)|John Carlson]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Bemidji, Minnesota|Bemidji]]
| 2010
|-
| 5
| [[Dave Tomassoni]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| [[Chisholm, Minnesota|Chisholm]]
| 2000
|-
| 6
| [[Tom Bakk]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| [[Cook, Minnesota|Cook]]
| 2002
|-
| 7
| [[Roger Reinert]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| [[Duluth, Minnesota|Duluth]]
| 2010
|-
| 8
| [[Tony Lourey]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| [[Kerrick, Minnesota|Kerrick]]
| 2006
|-
| 9
| [[Keith Langseth]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| [[Glyndon, Minnesota|Glyndon]]
| 1980
|-
| 10
| [[Gretchen Hoffman]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Vergas, Minnesota|Vergas]]
| 2010
|-
| 11
| [[Bill Ingebrigtsen]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Alexandria, Minnesota|Alexandria]]
| 2006
|-
| 12
| [[Paul Gazelka]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Brainerd, Minnesota|Brainerd]]
| 2010
|-
| 13
| [[Joe Gimse]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Willmar, Minnesota|Willmar]]
| 2006
|-
| 14
| [[Michelle Fischbach]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Paynesville, Minnesota|Paynesville]]
| 1996
|-
| 15
| [[John Pederson (Minnesota politician)|John Pederson]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[St. Cloud, Minnesota|St. Cloud]]
| 2010
|-
| 16
| [[David Brown (Minnesota politician)|Dave Brown]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Becker, Minnesota|Becker]]
| 2010
|-
| 17
| [[Sean Nienow]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Cambridge, Minnesota|Cambridge]]
| 2010
|-
| 18
| [[Scott Newman (politician)|Scott Newman]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Hutchinson, Minnesota|Hutchinson]]
| 2010
|-
| 19
| [[Amy Koch]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Buffalo, Minnesota|Buffalo]]
| 2006
|-
| 20
| [[Gary Kubly]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| [[Granite Falls, Minnesota|Granite Falls]]
| 2002
|-
| 21
| [[Gary Dahms]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Redwood Falls, Minnesota|Redwood Falls]]
| 2010
|-
| 22
| [[Doug Magnus]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Slayton, Minnesota|Slayton]]
| 2010
|-
| 23
| [[Kathy Sheran]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| [[Mankato, Minnesota|Mankato]]
| 2006
|-
| 24
| [[Julie Rosen]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Fairmont, Minnesota|Fairmont]]
| 2002
|-
| 25
| [[Al DeKruif]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Madison Lake, Minnesota|Madison Lake]]
| 2010
|-
| 26
| [[Mike Parry (politician)|Mike Parry]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Waseca, Minnesota|Waseca]]
| 2010
|-
| 27
| [[Dan Sparks]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| [[Austin, Minnesota|Austin]]
| 2002
|-
| 28
| [[John Howe (politician)|John Sterling Howe]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Red Wing, Minnesota|Red Wing]]
| 2010
|-
| 29
| [[David Senjem]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Rochester, Minnesota|Rochester]]
| 2002
|-
| 30
| [[Carla Nelson]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Rochester, Minnesota|Rochester]]
| 2010
|-
| 31
| [[Jeremy Miller (politician)|Jeremy Miller]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Winona, Minnesota|Winona]]
| 2010
|-
| 32
| [[Warren Limmer]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Maple Grove, Minnesota|Maple Grove]]
| 1994
|-
| 33
| [[Gen Olson]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Minnetrista, Minnesota|Minnetrista]]
| 1982
|-
| 34
| [[Julianne Ortman]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Chanhassen, Minnesota|Chanhassen]]
| 2002
|-
| 35
| [[Claire Robling]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Jordan, Minnesota|Jordan]]
| 1996
|-
| 36
| [[Dave Thompson (radio host)|Dave Thompson]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Lakeville, Minnesota|Lakeville]]
| 2010
|-
| 37
| [[Chris Gerlach]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Apple Valley, Minnesota|Apple Valley]]
| 2004
|-
| 38
| [[Ted Daley]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Eagan, Minnesota|Eagan]]
| 2010
|-
| 39
| [[James Metzen]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| [[South Saint Paul, Minnesota|South Saint Paul]]
| 1986
|-
| 40
| [[Dan Hall (politician)|Dan Hall]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Burnsville, Minnesota|Burnsville]]
| 2010
|-
| 41
| [[Geoff Michel]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Edina, Minnesota|Edina]]
| 2002
|-
| 42
| [[David Hann]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Eden Prairie, Minnesota|Eden Prairie]]
| 2002
|-
| 43
| [[Terri Bonoff]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| [[Hopkins, Minnesota|Hopkins]]
| 2004
|-
| 44
| [[Ron Latz]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| [[St. Louis Park, Minnesota|St. Louis Park]]
| 2006
|-
| 45
| [[Ann Rest]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| [[New Hope, Minnesota|New Hope]]
| 2000
|-
| 46
| [[Chris Eaton (politician)|Chris Eaton]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| [[Brooklyn Center, Minnesota|Brooklyn Center]]
| 2011
|-
| 47
| [[Benjamin Kruse (Minnesota politician)|Benjamin Kruse]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Brooklyn Park, Minnesota|Brooklyn Park]]
| 2010
|-
| 48
| [[Mike Jungbauer]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[East Bethel, Minnesota|East Bethel]]
| 2002
|-
| 49
| [[Michelle Benson]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Ham Lake, Minnesota|Ham Lake]]
| 2010
|-
| 50
| [[Barb Goodwin]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| [[Columbia Heights, Minnesota|Columbia Heights]]
| 2010
|-
| 51
| [[Pam Wolf]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Spring Lake Park, Minnesota|Spring Lake Park]]
| 2010
|-
| 52
| [[Ray Vandeveer]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Forest Lake, Minnesota|Forest Lake]]
| 2006
|-
| 53
| [[Roger Chamberlain]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Lino Lakes, Minnesota|Lino Lakes]]
| 2010
|-
| 54
| [[John Marty]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| [[Roseville, Minnesota|Roseville]]
| 1986
|-
| 55
| [[Charles Wiger]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| [[Maplewood, Minnesota|Maplewood]]
| 1996
|-
| 56
| [[Ted Lillie]]
| {{Party shading/Republican}} | Rep
| [[Lake Elmo, Minnesota|Lake Elmo]]
| 2010
|-
| 57
| [[Katie Sieben]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| [[Newport, Minnesota|Newport]]
| 2006
|-
| 58
| [[Linda Higgins]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| [[Minneapolis, Minnesota|Minneapolis]]
| 1996
|-
| 59
| Vacant
|
|
|
|-
| 60
| [[D. Scott Dibble]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| [[Minneapolis, Minnesota|Minneapolis]]
| 2002
|-
| 61
| [[Jeff Hayden]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| [[Minneapolis, Minnesota|Minneapolis]]
| 2011
|-
| 62
| [[Patricia Torres Ray]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| [[Minneapolis, Minnesota|Minneapolis]]
| 2006
|-
| 63
| [[Ken Kelash]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| [[Minneapolis, Minnesota|Minneapolis]]
| 2008
|-
| 64
| [[Dick Cohen]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| [[Saint Paul, Minnesota|Saint Paul]]
| 1986
|-
| 65
| [[Sandy Pappas]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| [[Saint Paul, Minnesota|Saint Paul]]
| 1990
|-
| 66
| [[Mary Jo McGuire]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| [[Saint Paul, Minnesota|Saint Paul]]
| 2011
|-
| 67
| [[John Harrington (politician)|John Harrington]]
| {{Party shading/Democratic}} | DFL
| [[Saint Paul, Minnesota|Saint Paul]]
| 2010
|}
== Previous sessions ==
* [[Eighty-sixth Minnesota Legislature|Minnesota Senate 2009-2010 Session]]
* [[Minnesota Senate 2007-2008 Session]]
* [[Minnesota Senate 2005-2006 Session]]
* [[Minnesota Senate 2003-2004 Session]]
* [[Minnesota Senate 2001-2002 Session]]
== See also ==
* [[Presidents of the Minnesota Senate]]
* [[List of Minnesota Senate Majority Leaders|Minnesota Senate Majority Leaders]]
* [[Minnesota Senate Minority Leader]]s
*[[Minnesota Senate elections, 2010|Minnesota Senate Elections 2010]]
==External links==
*[http://www.senate.mn/ Minnesota Senate] ''official government website''
*[http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/cco/rules/mncon/preamble.htm Minnesota Constitution]
*[http://www.vote-smart.org/official_state_legislator.php?type=office&state_id=MN&criteria=upper State Senate of Minnesota] at [[Project Vote Smart]]
{{Minnesota Senate}}
{{Usleg}}
{{coord missing|Minnesota}}