Dave Senjem

David Howard Senjem (born December 20, 1942) is an American politician and member of the Minnesota Senate. He served as its majority leader from 2011 to 2013. A Republican, Senjem represents District 25, which includes portions of Dodge and Olmsted counties in the southeastern part of the state.

Dave Senjem
Majority Leader of the Minnesota Senate
In office December 27, 2011 – January 7, 2013
Preceded by	Amy Koch
Succeeded by	Tom Bakk
Minority Leader of the Minnesota Senate
In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by	Dick Day
Succeeded by	Tom Bakk
Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 25th district 29th (2003–2013)
Incumbent
Assumed office January 7, 2003
Preceded by	redrawn district
Personal details
Born	December 20, 1942 Austin, Minnesota, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Marlys
Children	2
Residence	Rochester, Minnesota
Alma mater	Luther College
Occupation	legislator

Early life, education, and career

Senjem grew up in Hayfield, Minnesota and attended Hayfield High School. After graduating, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. He served on the Rochester City Park Board for five years, then on the Rochester City Council from 1992 to 2002. He is a retired Environmental Affairs Officer for the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.[1]

Senjem's family originates from Bingen, Buskerud County, Norway; the original family name was Sønju. His great-great-grandfather John N. Hanson served as a Republican state representative from Dodge County from 1873 to 1874.[1]

Minnesota Senate

Senjem was first elected in 2002, and was reelected in 2006, 2010, 2012, 2016, and 2020. He served as minority leader from 2007 until January 3, 2011.[1][2] On December 27, 2011, Senjem was elected majority leader after the previous majority leader, Amy Koch, resigned over an affair with a Senate staffer.[3] Senjem became the third person to serve as both minority and majority leader, and the first to serve in both roles as a Republican.

Senjem tested positive for COVID-19 in November 2020. Upon finding out, the Minnesota Senate Republican chief of staff warned other Republicans of the positive test, but did not tell Democratic state legislators about the positive test, thus preventing them from taking the appropriate precautions.[4]

References

1. Minnesota Senators Past and Present
2. Pugmire, Tim (November 4, 2010). "Bakk elected new Senate minority leader; GOP ponders leadership". Retrieved December 13, 2017.
3. Rochester Senator David Senjem Elected Majority Leader
4. "Minnesota GOP sent virus alert only to its side of the aisle". Star Tribune. Retrieved November 14, 2020.

External links

• Dave Senjem at Minnesota Legislators Past & Present
• Senator Dave Senjem official Minnesota Senate website
• Minnesota Public Radio Votetracker: Senator Senjem Voting Record
• Follow the Money – David Senjem Campaign Contributions
  • 2006 2002
• Senator Dave Senjem official campaign website