Bobby Joe Champion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bobby Joe Champion
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| 17th President of the Minnesota Senate | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2023 Serving with Jeremy Miller
(since January 14, 2025) |
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| Preceded by | David Osmek |
| Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 59th district |
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| Assumed office January 8, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Linda Higgins (Redistricting) |
| Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 58B district |
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| In office January 6, 2009 – January 8, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Augustine Dominguez |
| Succeeded by | Raymond Dehn (Redistricting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 17, 1963 Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Political 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 lawyer and politician. He is a member of the Minnesota Senate. He belongs to the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL). He represents the 59th district, which includes parts of downtown and north Minneapolis in Hennepin County. He is currently the president of the Minnesota Senate.
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Early Life and Education
Bobby Joe Champion was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He went to Minneapolis North High School. After high school, he studied political science at Macalester College. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree there. Later, he went to William Mitchell College of Law. He earned a law degree, called a Juris Doctor, from this school.
Career Highlights
Champion has had an interesting career before becoming a senator. He worked as a lawyer for the state of Minnesota. This job is called an assistant attorney general. He worked under two different attorneys general, Skip Humphrey and Mike Hatch. He also worked for a center that helps people with their legal rights.
Champion also has a background in music. He worked with a company called Flyte Tyme Productions. He helped start and direct the Excelsior Choir. This choir was even nominated for a Grammy award! He also led the Midwest chapter of the National Association of Minority Contractors. This group helps minority-owned businesses in construction.
Working as a Lawyer
As a lawyer, Bobby Joe Champion worked on different types of cases. He used his legal skills to represent people. He also worked to improve laws for young people. For example, he supported a bill in the Minnesota Senate. This bill, called SF 3904, aimed to change the age limit for how young people are treated in the justice system. He wanted to help more young people get rehabilitation instead of adult prison sentences.
Serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives
Bobby Joe Champion began his political career in the Minnesota House of Representatives. He was first elected to the House in 2008. He won against the person who held the seat before him, Augustine Dominguez. He was reelected for a second term in 2010.
Becoming a Minnesota Senator
In November 2012, Champion was elected to the Minnesota Senate. He won by a large margin against his opponent, Jim Lilly. He was reelected to the Senate multiple times. He won again in 2016, 2020, and 2022.
In 2022, his fellow senators chose him for a very important role. He became the president of the Minnesota Senate. This was a historic moment. He is the first African-American person to ever hold this position. As president, he helps lead the Senate's work. Champion also chairs the Committee on Jobs and Economic Development. This committee works on creating jobs and improving the economy in Minnesota.
