Warren E. Limmer (born January 24, 1955) is a Minnesota politician and member of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, he represents the 37th District, which includes portions of Hennepin County in the northwestern Twin Cities metropolitan area. Limmer previously served in the Minnesota House of Representatives, and in 1998 he sought the Republican endorsement for Minnesota Secretary of State, losing to Mary Kiffmeyer. He was the author of the 2012 Minnesota constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.
Warren Limmer | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 37th district | |
| Assumed office February 13, 1995 | |
| Preceded by | Pat McGowan |
| President pro tempore of the Minnesota Senate | |
| In office January 3, 2017 – January 7, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Ann Rest |
| Succeeded by | Mary Kiffmeyer |
| Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 33B district 48A (1989–1993) | |
| In office January 3, 1989 – February 13, 1995 | |
| Preceded by | Dale Clausnitzer |
| Succeeded by | Rich Stanek |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 24, 1955 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Lori |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | North Hennepin Community College St. Cloud State University (BA) |
Early life, education, and career
editLimmer attended North Hennepin Community College, where he received an A.A., and St. Cloud State University, where he received a B.A. in criminal justice studies. He worked as a corrections officer before serving in the legislature. Limmer is a former member of the Hennepin County Corrections Advisory Commission and the Crystal Human Rights Commission.[1] He now works as a real estate agent.[1]
Minnesota Legislature
editBefore being elected to the Minnesota Senate, Limmer was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, first elected in 1988 in the old House District 48A, and reelected in 1990, 1992 and 1994. After the 1992 redistricting, the area became House District 33B.[2]
Limmer was first elected to the Senate in a February 1995 special election held after Senator Patrick McGowan resigned upon being elected Hennepin County Sheriff. He has been continuously reelected ever since. Limmer has held multiple leadership positions, including assistant minority leader, assistant majority leader, and chair of the Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee.[2] His special legislative concerns include criminal justice, public education, safe school legislation, economic development, and tax reform.[2]
On April 27, 2011, Limmer introduced a bill to propose a referendum on an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution banning same-sex marriage.[3] The bill passed, but voters rejected the amendment in the 2012 election by six percentage points.[4][5]
In the next legislative session, Senator Scott Dibble and Representative Karen Clark introduced bills to legalize same-sex marriage in Minnesota.[6] The Minnesota House of Representatives voted 75–59 in favor of legalization.[7] A few days later, after debate on the Senate floor,[8] the body also voted for legalization, 37–30.[9] On May 14, 2013, in front of a crowd of 7,000 on the Capitol Mall in St. Paul, Governor Mark Dayton signed Dibble's and Clark's marriage equality bill into law, making Minnesota the 12th state to legalize gay marriage.[10]
Limmer opposes universal background checks for gun purchases. As chair of the Senate Judiciary's public safety committee, he has refused to allow any hearings on gun safety.[11]
Personal life
editLimmer and his wife Lori live in Maple Grove and have three children.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Senator Warren Limmer Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
- ^ a b c "Legislator Record - Limmer, Warren E". Minnesota Legislators Past & Present. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
- ^ "Senate File 1308, 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012)". Minnesota Senate. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
- ^ "Minnesota voters reject marriage amendment". MPR. Retrieved May 24, 2013.
- ^ "Minnesota Same-Sex Marriage Amendment, Amendment 1 (2012)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
- ^ "Senate Republicans try to block same-sex marriage bill". MPR News. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
- ^ "Minnesota House of Representatives".
- ^ "Minnesota Senate joins House in approving same-sex marriage". MinnPost. May 13, 2013. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
- ^ "Minnesota Senate Votes to Allow Same-Sex Marriage". ABC News. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
- ^ "Minnesota now 12th state to approve gay marriage". NBC News. Retrieved May 25, 2013.
- ^ Jones, Hannah. "Sen. Warren Limmer's human blockade of gun control in Minnesota". City Pages. Retrieved March 14, 2019.