Lawrence "Larry" J. Pogemiller (born September 18, 1951) is an American politician from Minnesota, and the Commissioner of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.[1] A member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, he represented northeast Minneapolis districts in the Minnesota Legislature from 1981 to 2011, and served as the Senate's 9th majority leader from 2007 to 2011. As majority leader, he was chair of the Senate Rules Committee and its subcommittees, and also served on the Senate Tax Committee.[2][3]

Larry Pogemiller
Director of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education
Assumed office
October 28, 2011
Majority Leader of the Minnesota Senate
In office
January 2007 – January 4, 2011
Preceded byDean Johnson
Succeeded byAmy Koch
Minnesota State Senator from the 59th District
In office
January 1993 – November 7, 2011
Preceded byAllan Spear
Succeeded byKari Dziedzic
Minnesota State Senator from the 58th District
In office
January 1983 – January 1993
Preceded byEric D. Petty
Succeeded byCarl W. Kroening
Minnesota State Representative from District 55A
In office
January 1981 – January 1983
Preceded byStanley J. Fudro
Succeeded byConnie Levi
Personal details
Born (1951-09-18) September 18, 1951 (age 73)
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Domestic partnerJill
Children2
Residence(s)Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Minnesota
Harvard University
Occupationsystem project analyst, legislator

Pogemiller was born in Minneapolis and graduated from DeLaSalle High School in 1969. He was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1980, serving as the representative of District 55A from 1981 to 1983. After serving one term, he was elected to the Senate in 1982, serving the old District 58 prior to the 1992 redistricting and, thereafter, District 59. He was re-elected in every general election. He was appointed Director of the Higher Education office in October 2011 by Governor of Minnesota Mark Dayton.[2][4]

Pogemiller is known for his outspoken, assertive leadership style and his strategic thinking.[5] Reporter Tom Scheck of Minnesota Public Radio called him "a brilliant and combative political tactician who often speaks his mind".[6] Former Minnesota House Speaker Steve Sviggum called him "a very frustrating individual as he runs the clock past midnight all the time." Pogemiller had a rocky relationship with former Republican governor Tim Pawlenty.[7]

References

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  1. ^ Governor's Cabinet
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "Governor Dayton Appoints Sen. Larry Pogemiller to Head the Office of Higher Education". Archived from the original on January 18, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  3. ^ Pugmire, Tim (January 10, 2012). "Elections today in Minneapolis to fill state House and Senate seats". Minnesota Public Radio. Archived from the original on January 15, 2012.
  4. ^ "Pogemiller, Lawrence J. "Larry"". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
  5. ^ Brunswick, Mark; Lopez, Patricia (November 9, 2006). "Pogemiller to take Senate helm: As the newly elected DFL Senate majority leader, combative Minneapolis Sen. Larry Pogemiller pledged cooperation to get business done". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on December 26, 2009. Retrieved March 20, 2009.
  6. ^ Scheck, Tom (November 9, 2006). "Minneapolis to rule at Legislature". Minnesota Public Radio.
  7. ^ Scheck, Tom (November 29, 2006). "Pogemiller in spotlight as session nears". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved February 29, 2008.
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Political offices
Preceded by Minnesota Senate Majority Leader
2007–2011
Succeeded by