Dick Cohen

Dick Cohen
Member of the Minnesota Senate
from the 64th district
Assumed office
January 6, 1987
Preceded by Ron Sieloff
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 64B district
In office
January 4, 1983 – January 5, 1987
Preceded by redrawn district
Succeeded by Howard Orenstein
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 63B district
In office
January 4, 1977 – January 2, 1979
Preceded by Ron Sieloff
Succeeded by John Drew
Personal details
Born (1949-12-10) December 10, 1949
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Political party Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
Residence Saint Paul, Minnesota
Alma mater Northwestern University
William Mitchell College of Law
Occupation attorney, legislator
Religion Jewish

Richard J. "Dick" Cohen (born December 10, 1949) is a Minnesota politician and member of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), he represents District 64, which includes portions of the city of Saint Paul in Ramsey County.[1]

Early life and education

Cohen was born in Saint Paul and graduated from Highland Park High School. He earned his B.A. from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and his J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law in Saint Paul.

Minnesota Legislature

Cohen was first elected to the Minnesota Legislature in 1976. He served as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for District 63B and, after redistricting in 1982, for District 64B. He was elected senator for District 64 in 1986, gaining the lone Republican-held Senate seat within the Twin Cities.[2] He was reelected in the 1990, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2012 elections.

Cohen was chair of the Senate Finance Committee from 2003 to 2011 and chair of the Senate State Government Finance Committee from 1997 to 2001.[1]

On November 3, 2009, President Barack Obama announced Cohen's appointment to the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities. Cohen is considered by many to be the leading champion for the arts in the Minnesota Legislature. He led the campaign to include funding for the arts in the Clean Water, Land and Legacy constitutional amendment that Minnesota voters approved in 2008.[3]

Personal Life

Cohen serves on the board of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. He previously served on the Guthrie Theater board.[4]

Electoral history

Minnesota Senate 64th district election, 2012[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
DFL Dick Cohen (incumbent) 33,008 69.67
Republican Sharon Anderson 9,069 19.14
Independent Scott Larson 5,196 10.97
Minnesota Senate 64th district election, 2010[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
DFL Dick Cohen (incumbent) 23,854 70.74 -5.74pp
Republican Tony Hernandez 9,817 29.11 +5.77pp
Minnesota Senate 64th district election, 2006[7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
DFL Dick Cohen (incumbent) 27,427 76.48 +4.65pp
Republican Christine Van Tassel 8,369 23.34 -4.61pp
Minnesota Senate 64th district election, 2002[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
DFL Dick Cohen (incumbent) 27,408 71.83
Republican Christopher Johnston 10,664 27.95
Minnesota Senate 64th district election, 2000[9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
DFL Dick Cohen (incumbent) 26,215 72.31 +11.27pp
Republican Chris Berg 10,039 27.69 -6.48pp
Minnesota Senate 64th district election, 1996[10]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
DFL Dick Cohen (incumbent) 22,539 61.04 -1.40pp
Republican Joe Zappa 12,618 34.17 +3.52pp
Minnesota Senate 64th district election, 1992[11]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
DFL Dick Cohen (incumbent) 25,025 62.44
Independent-Republican Joseph P. McCabe 12,285 30.65
Minnesota Senate 64th district election, 1990[12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
DFL Dick Cohen (incumbent) 10,841 69.33 +21.73pp
Independent-Republican G. Hess 3,702 23.68 -19.22pp
Minnesota Senate 64th district election, 1986[13]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
DFL Dick Cohen 11,499 47.6
Independent-Republican Bill Ridley 10,408 42.9

References

  1. 1 2 "Cohen, Richard J.". Legislators Past & Present. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
  2. ↑ Gregor W. Pinney, (August 13, 1986), "DFL hopes to win the seat in lone IR district in Cities", Star Tribune
  3. ↑ "Longtime state arts advocate is named to Obama's panel on arts, humanities". Star Tribune. November 3, 2009. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  4. ↑ "About Dick Cohen". Cohen Volunteer Committee. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Results for All State Senate Races, 2012". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Results for All State Senate Races, 2010". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Results for All State Senate Races, 2006". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Results for All State Senate Races, 2002". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Results for All State Senate Races, 2000". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Minnesota Election Results 1996" (PDF). Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  11. ↑ "Minnesota Election Results 1992" (PDF). Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Minnesota Election Results 1990" (PDF). Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
  13. ↑ "Minnesota Election Results 1986" (PDF). Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved February 26, 2013.
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