Tom Bakk

Thomas M. "Tom" Bakk (born June 8, 1954) is a Minnesota politician and member of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, Bakk represents District 3, which includes portions of Cook, Koochiching, Lake and St. Louis counties in the northeastern part of Minnesota. He has served in the Minnesota legislature since 1995 and is a former majority leader and minority leader.[1]

Tom Bakk
Minority Leader of the Minnesota Senate
In office January 3, 2017 – February 1, 2020
Preceded by	David Hann
Succeeded by	Susan Kent
In office January 4, 2011 – January 7, 2013
Preceded by	Dave Senjem
Succeeded by	David Hann
Majority Leader of the Minnesota Senate
In office January 8, 2013 – January 2, 2017
Preceded by	Dave Senjem
Succeeded by	Paul Gazelka
Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 3rd district 6th (2003–2013)
Incumbent
Assumed office January 7, 2003
Preceded by	Douglas Johnson
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 6A district
In office January 3, 1995 – January 6, 2003
Preceded by	David Peter Battaglia
Succeeded by	David Dill
Personal details
Born	(1954-06-08) June 8, 1954 Virginia, Minnesota, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Laura
Children	4
Education	Mesabi Range College University of Minnesota, Duluth (BA)

Early life, education, and career

Bakk was born and raised in Cook, Minnesota, where he graduated from Cook High School in 1972.[2] He received an associate degree from Mesabi Community College and a bachelor's degree in business administration and labor relations from the University of Minnesota Duluth. He is a retired union carpenter and labor official.[3]

Political career

Minnesota House of Representatives

Bakk represented District 6A in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003.[3]

Minnesota Senate

Bakk was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2002 and was re-elected in 2006, 2010, 2012, and 2016.[3] After the 2010 election, in which Republicans gained control of the Senate for the first time since party designation, Bakk was elected by his caucus to serve as its first-ever minority leader.[4] After the DFL regained a majority in the 2012 election, Bakk was elected by his caucus to serve as majority leader, a position he assumed when the legislature convened on January 8, 2013.[5] Bakk was again elected by his caucus to serve as minority leader following the 2016 election, which saw Republicans re-gain control of the upper chamber.[6]

In late 2019, it was reported that Susan Kent, a state senator from Woodbury, intended to challenge Bakk for his caucus leadership post.[7] On February 1, 2020, in a caucus meeting that lasted more than six hours, Kent defeated Bakk, succeeding him as minority leader.[8]

2010 Minnesota gubernatorial campaign

Bakk at a DFL gubernatorial debate in November 2009

Bakk campaigned in the 2010 Minnesota gubernatorial election. He led in early fundraising among the DFL candidates, raising $146,000 in 2008, and beginning 2009 with a little more than $131,000. He ended his campaign in March 2010.[9]

Electoral history

Minnesota Senate 3rd district election, 2012[10]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Democratic (DFL)	Tom Bakk (incumbent)	28,427	64.59
	Republican	Jennifer Havlick	15,509	35.24

Minnesota Senate 6th district election, 2010[11]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Democratic (DFL)	Tom Bakk (incumbent)	21,728	62.94	-8.39pp
	Republican	Jennifer Havlick	12,742	36.91	+8.50pp

Minnesota Senate 6th district election, 2006[12]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Democratic (DFL)	Tom Bakk (incumbent)	25,275	71.33	-0.93pp
	Republican	Jennifer Havlick	10,065	28.41

Minnesota Senate 6th district election, 2002[13]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Democratic (DFL)	Tom Bakk	24,934	72.26
	Independence	Tom Norman	9,467	27.44

Personal life

Bakk and his wife, Laura, who works as a legislative assistant in the Minnesota Senate, have four children.[3]

See also

• Minnesota gubernatorial election, 2010

References

1. "DFL leader Tom Bakk faces leadership challenge from fellow Senate Democrat". Star Tribune. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
2. "Tom Bakk has always been a builder – from houses to union deals to laws". Twin Cities. May 1, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
3. "Bakk, Thomas M. "Tom"". Legislators Past & Present. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
4. Shaw, Charley (November 4, 2010). "Tom Bakk elected Senate minority leader". Politics in Minnesota. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
5. "Bakk chosen as Minnesota Senate majority leader". Duluth News Tribune. November 8, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
6. "Bakk to serve as DFL Senate Minority Leader". Mesabi Daily News. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
7. Van Oot, Torey. "DFL leader Tom Bakk faces leadership challenge from fellow Senate Democrat". Star Tribune. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
8. Bierschbach, Briana. "Susan Kent ousts Tom Bakk as Senate DFL leader". Star Tribune. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
9. Scheck, Tom (March 20, 2010). "Sen. Bakk drops out of race for governor". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
10. "Results for State Senator District 3". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
11. "State Senator District: 06". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
12. "State Senator District 06". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved January 25, 2013.
13. "State Senator District 06". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved January 25, 2013.

External links

• Tom Bakk at Minnesota Legislators Past & Present
• Official Minnesota Senate website

Minnesota House of Representatives
Preceded by David Peter Battaglia	Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 6A district 1995–2003	Succeeded by David Dill
Preceded by Douglas Johnson	Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 3rd district 6th (2003–2013) 2003–present	Incumbent
Preceded by Dave Senjem	Minority Leader of the Minnesota Senate 2011–2013	Succeeded by David Hann
	Majority Leader of the Minnesota Senate 2013–2017	Succeeded by Paul Gazelka
Preceded by David Hann	Minority Leader of the Minnesota Senate 2017–2020	Succeeded by Susan Kent