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Tom Rukavina
Tom Rukavina (b. August 23, 1950) is a former Democratic-Farmer-Labor member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing District 5A from 1987 to 2013.
Rukavina's professional experience includes working as a legal assistant. He previously served on the Pike Township Town Board, was chair of the City of Virginia School Board, and is a current member of the Minnesota Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board.[1]
Issue positions
Rukavina has been active in sponsoring medical marijuana legislation in Minnesota. This may lead to a Medical Marijuana Amendment appearing on the November 2010 ballot in the state.[2]
Committee assignments
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Rukavina served on these committees:
- Capital Investment
- Higher Education Policy and Finance, Ranking Minority Member
- Taxes
- Ways and Means
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Rukavina served on these committees:
- Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division (Chair)
- Capital Investment Finance Division
- Finance
- Taxes
Elections
2010
Rukavina won for re-election to the District 5A seat in 2010. He had no primary opposition. He defeated Greg Knutson (R) in the general election on November 2, 2010.[3][4]
| Minnesota House of Representatives, District 5A (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
 Tom Rukavina (DFL)
|
11,799 | 70.81% | ||
| Greg Knutson (R) | 4,842 | 29.06% | ||
| Write-In | 21 | 0.13% | ||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Rukavina won re-election to the District 5A Seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives, defeating Greg Knutson (R).[5]
| Minnesota House of Representatives, District 5A (2008) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Tom Rukavina (DFL)
|
16,230 | 78.33% | ||
| Greg Knutson (R) | 4,461 | 21.53% | ||
| Write-In | 29 | 0.14% | ||
Campaign finance summary
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Scorecards
Taxpayers League of Minnesota
The Taxpayers League of Minnesota, a Minnesota-based taxpayer advocacy organization, releases a legislative scorecard for the Minnesota House of Representatives and Minnesota State Senate once a year. The scorecard gives each legislator a score based on how they voted in the prior legislative term on tax issues and “their efforts to balance the state budget without a tax increase.” The organization also compiles a legislator’s individual "Lifetime Score."[6]
2012
Rukavina received a score of 14% in the 2012 scorecard, ranking 98th out of all 134 Minnesota House of Representatives members.[7]
2011
Rukavina received a score of 8% in the 2011 scorecard, ranking 87th out of all 134 Minnesota House of Representatives members. [8]
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term Tom + Rukavina + Minnesota + Legislature
External links
- Tom Rukavina's campaign website
- Representative Rukavina's Webpage at the Minnesota House of Representatives
- Legislative Profile from Project Vote Smart
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign contributions: 2008, 2004, 2002, 2000, 1998, 1996
- Tom Rukavina on Facebook
- Tom Rukavina on Twitter
Footnotes
- ↑ Project Vote Smart - Rep. Rukavina
- ↑ The Political Animal, "Medical Marijuana Vetoed," May 22, 2009
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Report of Votes Cast - Minnesota State Primary - Tuesday, August 10, 2010," accessed November 29, 2014
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "State of Minnesota Canvassing Report," accessed November 29, 2014
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State - 2008 General Election Results
- ↑ Taypayers League of Minnesota, "Legislative Scorecards," accessed May 15, 2014
- ↑ Taypayers League of Minnesota, "Legislative Scorecard, 2012," accessed May 15, 2014
- ↑ Taypayers League of Minnesota, "Legislative Scorecard, 2011," accessed May 15, 2014
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Minnesota State House District 5A 1987–2013 |
Succeeded by John Persell (DFL) |
