Gene Pelowski

Gene Pelowski
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 26A district
Previously 34B (1987–1993), 32A (1993–2003), 31A (2003–2013), 28A (2013-2022)
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 6, 1987
Preceded byTim Sherman
Personal details
BornFebruary 1952 (age 72)
Political partyMinnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
SpouseDeborah
Children2
ResidenceWinona, Minnesota
Alma materWinona State University
Occupationteacher, golf pro, legislator

Gene P. Pelowski, Jr. (born February 2, 1952) is an American politician, teacher, and member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), he represents District 26A, which includes the cities of Winona and Goodview and parts of Winona County in southeastern Minnesota.[1]

On January 7, 2024, Pelowski announced he would not seek reelection after serving 38 years in the Minnesota House. At the time of his retirement, he was the longest-serving member in the House.[2]

Early life and education

Born in 1952, Pelowski attended Red Wing High School. He received a bachelor's degree in social studies and a master's in education from Winona State University. Pelowski taught and coached debate at Winona High School and was a golf professional when he was elected to the legislature.[3]

Minnesota House of Representatives

Pelowski was first elected in 1986, and has been reelected every two years since, for a total of 19 terms. He represented the old District 34B before the 1992 legislative redistricting, and the old District 32A before the 2002 legislative redistricting. After the 2022 election, he represented the new District 26A. As of 2023, he is the longest-serving member of the Minnesota House of Representatives.[3][4]

During his time in the legislature, Pelowski has served on and chaired numerous committees. In 1997-98, he chaired the Higher Education Committee. Pelowski was an assistant minority leader during the 2003-04 session.[5] After the DFL retook the House in 2006, Pelowski chaired the Governmental Operations, Reform, Technology and Elections Committee until 2011. In 2013-14, he again chaired the Higher Education Committee. After House DFLers regained the majority in 2018, Pelowski chaired both the Subcommittee on Legislative Process Reform and the Industrial Education Jobs and Economic Development Finance Division until the end of the 2021 session. He now again chairs the Higher Education Committee.[3]

In 2013, Pelowski was honored at the Polish Consulate during a visit to the Polish museum in Winona.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Pelowski, Jr., Gene P. - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present". www.lrl.mn.gov. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  2. ^ Mewes, Trey (2024-01-18). "Winona legislator retires after 38 years". www.startribune.com. Retrieved 2024-08-24.
  3. ^ a b c "Minnesota Legislators Past & Present - Legislator Record - Pelowski, Jr., Gene P". Leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
  4. ^ "Pelowski last DFLer in a district headed red". 4 November 2010.
  5. ^ "Gene Pelowski Jr. (DFL) 31A - Minnesota House of Representatives". House.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
  6. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-05-03. Retrieved 2014-05-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)