Sandy Pappas

Sandy Pappas
11th President of the Minnesota Senate
In office
January 8, 2013 – January 2, 2017
Preceded byMichelle Fischbach
Succeeded byMichelle Fischbach
Member of the Minnesota Senate
from the 65th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 8, 1991
Preceded byDonald Moe
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 65B district
In office
January 8, 1985 – January 7, 1991
Preceded byFrank J. Rodriguez Sr.
Succeeded byCarlos Mariani
Personal details
Born (1949-06-15) June 15, 1949 (age 75)
Hibbing, Minnesota, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic (DFL)
SpouseNeal Gosman
Children3
Alma materMetropolitan State University
Harvard University

Sandra L. "Sandy" Pappas (born June 15, 1949) is an American politician and serving in the Minnesota Senate since 1991. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), she represents District 65, which includes parts of Saint Paul in Ramsey County. Pappas served as President of the Minnesota Senate from 2013 to 2019.[1]

In 1997, Pappas ran as the DFL endorsed candidate for Mayor of Saint Paul, losing to incumbent Norm Coleman. Prior to be elected to the Senate, Pappas served three terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives.[1]

Early life and education

Pappas was born in Hibbing, Minnesota, and attended high school at Robbinsdale High School in Robbinsdale, Minnesota.[1]

Pappas attended the University of Minnesota and Metropolitan State University, from which she earned a B.A. in public policy in 1986. She later attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, earning an MPA.[1]

Minnesota House of Representatives

Pappas was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1984 for District 65B. Her margin of victory in the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party primary election was so small that a recount occurred.[1]

Pappas served three terms in the House before running for Minnesota Senate in 1990.[1]

Minnesota Senate

Pappas was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1990, defeating incumbent Donald Moe in a DFL primary.[1][2]

Pappas has been reelected in every election since, serving a total of 10 terms. She has served on the Capital Investment, Commerce, Finance, Rules and Administration, and State and Local Government Committees. She chaired the Higher Education Committee from 2007 to 2011 the Education Committee from 2001 to 2003. She served as president pro tempore from 2003 to 2007.

After the DFL regained a majority in the 2012 election, Pappas was elected by her caucus to serve as President of the Minnesota Senate, starting in January 2013.[3] Pappas was reelected to the Senate in 2016, 2020, and 2022.[4]

1997 Saint Paul mayoral campaign

Pappas ran an unsuccessful campaign for mayor of Saint Paul against incumbent Norm Coleman in 1997.[5]

Personal life

Pappas is married to Neal Gosman. They have three children and 31 grandchildren. She is Jewish.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Pappas, Sandra L. "Sandy" - Legislator Record - Minnesota Legislators Past & Present". www.lrl.mn.gov. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  2. ^ "Former state Sen. Donald Moe dies; 'straight talker' wasn't typical St. Paul Democrat". Twin Cities. 2017-12-31. Retrieved 2024-10-18.
  3. ^ Stassen-Berger, Rachel E. (November 8, 2012). "Bakk, Thissen to lead DFL at the State Capitol". Star Tribune. Retrieved March 1, 2013.
  4. ^ "Minnesota State Senate District 65". Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Pappas, Sandra L. "Sandy"". Legislators Past & Present. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
Minnesota House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 65B district
1985–1990 		Succeeded by
Minnesota Senate
Preceded by
Donald Moe
 Member of the Minnesota Senate
from the 65th district
1991–present 		Incumbent
Preceded by President of the Minnesota Senate
2013–2017 		Succeeded by