Paul Torkelson
| Paul Torkelson | ||
 | ||
| Minnesota House of Representatives District 16B | ||
| Incumbent | ||
| In office | ||
| 2009 - present | ||
| Term ends | ||
| January 6, 2015 | ||
| Years in position | 4 | |
| Party | Republican | |
| Compensation | ||
| Base salary | $31,140.90/year | |
| Per diem | $66/day | |
| Elections and appointments | ||
| Last election | November 6, 2012 | |
| First elected | November 4, 2008 | |
| Next election | November 4, 2014 | |
| Term limits | N/A | |
| Education | ||
| Bachelor's | Gustavus Adolphus College | |
| Personal | ||
| Profession | Farmer/Former Teacher | |
| Religion | Lutheran | |
| Websites | ||
| Office website | ||
| Campaign website | ||
 | ||
Contents |
Torkelson is a farmer.
He is a member of the East Sveadahl Lutheran Church, Minnesota's Deer Hunters Association, Saint James Lions Club, and Governor Tim Pawlenty's Clean Water Council.[1]
He is married and has 2 children.
Issues
Campaign themes
Torkelson's website highlights the following campaign themes:[2]
The Economy
- Excerpt:"Jobs in the private sector are the backbone of our economy. Our government must maintain an economic and regulatory climate where businesses large and small are allowed to thrive."
Education
- Excerpt:"Paul firmly believes that what is best for the students should be our first priority and that local control is an important ingredient for success."
Agriculture
- Excerpt:"He understands that it is the strong ag economy that has been critical in supporting our state's economy in the economic downturn. Agriculture is especially important to rural Minnesota and Paul is actively engaged in a variety of issues and doing his best to support producers large and small."
Life Issues
- Excerpt:"Paul has consistently supported the pro-life agenda by cosponsoring and voting for legislation that would strengthen protection of the unborn."
Voter ID
- Excerpt:"Proving with a photo ID at the polling place that you are who you say you are and that you live where you say live is the best way to protect the integrity of our election system."
Committee assignments
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Torkelson served on the following committees:
| Minnesota Committee Assignments, 2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Finance | ||||
| • Legacy | ||||
| • Rules and Legislative Administration | ||||
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Torkelson served on these committees:
| Minnesota Committee Assignments, 2011 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Agriculture and Rural Development | ||||
| • Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance, Vice-chair | ||||
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Torkelson served on these committees:
| Minnesota Committee Assignments, 2009 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight | ||||
Elections
2012
Torkelson won re-election in the 2012 election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 16B. He was unopposed in the Republican primary on August 14 and defeated James Kanne (D) and Pike Pagel (I) in the general election on November 6, 2012.[3]
| Minnesota House of Representatives, District 16B, General Election, 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Paul Torkelson Incumbent |
56.2% | 11,243 | |
| Democratic | James Kanne | 32.3% | 6,466 | |
| Independent | Pike Pagel | 11.5% | 2,303 | |
| Total Votes | 20,012 | |||
2010
Torkelson won re-election to the District 21B Seat in 2010. He was unopposed in the August 10 primary. He also faced no opposition in the general election on November 2, 2010.[4]
| Minnesota House of Representatives, District 21B (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Paul Torkelson (DFL) | 11,774 | 98.31% | ||
| Write-In | 203 | 1.69% | ||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Paul Torkelson won election to the District 21B Seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives, defeating Robert Skillings. [5]
Paul Torkelson raised $33,638 for his campaign.[6]
| Minnesota House of Representatives, District 21B (2008) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Paul Torkelson (R)
|
9,111 | 51.43% | ||
| Robert Skillings (DFL) | 8,586 | 48.47% | ||
| Write-In | 17 | 0.10% | ||
Campaign donors
2012
Campaign donor information is not yet available for this year.
2010
In 2010, Torkelson received $15,600 in campaign donations. The largest donors are listed below.[7]
| Minnesota House of Representatives 2010 election - Campaign Contributions | |
|---|---|
| Top contributors to Paul Torkelson's campaign in 2010 | |
| Brown County RPM | $2,500 |
| Minnesota Telecommunication Alliance | $500 |
| Redwood County RPM | $500 |
| Minnesota Corn Growers Association | $500 |
| Arsers, Samuel C | $350 |
| Total Raised in 2010 | $15,600 |
2008
Listed below are the three largest contributors to Paul Torkelson's 2008 campaign.
| Donor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Public Fund | $5,086 |
| Brown County Republican Party | $2,500 |
| Redwood County Republican Party | $1,750 |
Recent news
This section displays the most recent stories in a google news search for the term Paul + Torkelson + Minnesota + Legislature
- All stories may not be relevant to this page due to the nature of the search engine.
Paul Torkelson News Feed
- Torkelson, Dahms dissect 2013 session - NUjournal
- Dahms, Torkelson review session - NUjournal
- Legislators host town hall meetings - Redwood Falls Gazette
- Nursing homes to get bump in funding - Alexandria Echo Press
- What's cut, kept in divisive Legacy bill - Minnesota Public Radio
- Children's museum gets $400K grant - Mankato Free Press
- Decades Later, Back to the Hill - Wall Street Journal
- Highway 14 funding - NUjournal
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External links
- Paul Torkelson's personal website
- Minnesota House of Representatives - Rep. Torkelson
- Legislative profile from Project Vote Smart
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign Contributions: 2008
- Paul Torkelson on Facebook
References
- ↑ Project Vote Smart - Rep. Torkelson
- ↑ "paultorkelson," Official Campaign Website
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State "2012 State General Election Candidate Filings," Accessed June 18, 2012
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State – 2010 General Election Results
- ↑ 2008 General Election Results
- ↑ Follow the Money's report on Torkelson's 2008 campaign contributions
- ↑ Follow the Money - 2010 Campaign contributions
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Mary Kiffmeyer (R) |
Minnesota State House District 16B 2013-present |
Succeeded by NA |
| Preceded by - |
Minnesota State House District 21B 2009–2013 |
Succeeded by Steve Drazkowski (R) |
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State of Minnesota St. Paul (capital) |
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- State legislative article missing donor information
- Current member, Minnesota House of Representatives
- State representatives first elected in 2009
- 2010 unopposed
- Republican Party
- 2010 incumbent
- House of Representatives candidate, 2010
- 2010 winner
- 2010 candidate
- Minnesota
- 2012 incumbent
- House of Representatives candidate, 2012
- 2012 primary (winner)
- 2012 general election (winner)
- 2012 unopposed
