Bobby Joe Champion

Bobby Joe Champion (born December 17, 1963) is an American attorney and politician serving as a member of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), he represents the 59th district, which includes portions of downtown and north Minneapolis in Hennepin County. He is the incumbent president of the Minnesota Senate.
Bobby Joe Champion | |
|---|---|
Champion in 2016 | |
| President of the Minnesota Senate | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2023 Serving with Jeremy Miller (January 14, 2025 – February 3, 2025) | |
| Preceded by | David Osmek |
| Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 59th district | |
| Assumed office January 8, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Linda Higgins (Redistricting) |
| Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 58B district | |
| In office January 6, 2009 – January 8, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Augustine Dominguez |
| Succeeded by | Raymond Dehn (Redistricting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 17, 1963 Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Angela |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Macalester College (BA) William Mitchell College of Law (JD) |
Bobby Joe Champion (born December 17, 1963) is an American attorney and politician serving as a member of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), he represents the 59th district, which includes portions of downtown and north Minneapolis in Hennepin County.[1] He is the incumbent president of the Minnesota Senate.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]Champion was born in Minneapolis and graduated from Minneapolis North High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Macalester College and a Juris Doctor from the William Mitchell College of Law.
Career
[edit]Champion worked as an assistant Minnesota attorney general under Skip Humphrey and Mike Hatch, and as an attorney for a legal rights center. He also worked with Flyte Tyme Productions and co-founded and directed the Grammy-nominated Excelsior Choir. He was executive director of the Midwest chapter of the National Association of Minority Contractors and program director for Social Spaces with Stairstep Initiative.[1][3]
In the 2023 legislative session, Champion pushed for changes to Minnesota's juvenile probation program.[4]
On January 27, 2026, Champion was struck by liquid sprayed by a man at a Ilhan Omar townhall event.[5]
Minnesota House of Representatives
[edit]Champion was elected to the House in 2008, unseating first-term incumbent Augustine Dominguez. He was reelected in 2010.[6]
Minnesota Senate
[edit]In 2012, Champion was elected to the Minnesota Senate, defeating Republican Jim Lilly, 82%–18%.[7] He was reelected to the Senate in 2016, defeating challenger Jennifer Carnahan.[8] Champion was also reelected in 2020 and 2022.[9] In 2022, he was chosen to serve as president of the Senate by his caucus. He is the first African-American to hold this position. Champion also chairs the Committee on Jobs and Economic Development.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Minnesota Legislators Past & Present - Legislator Record - Champion, Bobby Joe". Leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
- ^ Olson, Rochelle (11 November 2022). "Minnesota Senate Democrats choose Kari Dziedzic of Minneapolis as new majority leader". Star Tribune. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
- ^ "Project Vote Smart - Representative Bobby Joe Champion - Biography". Votesmart.org. 1963-12-17. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
- ^ Serres, Chris (12 January 2023). "Citing failures, Minnesota DFL lawmakers push juvenile justice system reforms". www.startribune.com. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
- ^ Champion, Senator Bobby Joe (2026-01-28). "Senator Champion Statement on Incident at Town Hall | Minnesota Senate DFL". Retrieved 2026-01-28.
- ^ "Election Reporting". Archived from the original on 2012-03-13. Retrieved 2010-11-15.
- ^ "Election Results". kare11.com. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
- ^ "Minnesota 59th District State Senate Results: Bobby Joe Champion Wins". The New York Times. 2017-08-01. Retrieved 2017-11-13.
- ^ "Results for State Senator District 59". Minnesota Secretary of State: Election Results.
External links
[edit]- Bobby Joe Champion at Minnesota Legislators Past & Present
- Senator Bobby Joe Champion official Minnesota Senate website
- Project Votesmart - Rep. Bobby Joe Champion Profile