Bobby Joe Champion facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bobby Joe Champion
|
|
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) |
|
| 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. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Angela |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Macalester College (BA) William Mitchell College of Law (JD) |
Bobby Joe Champion, born on December 17, 1963, is an American lawyer and politician. He is a member of the Minnesota Senate, which is part of Minnesota's state government. Champion belongs to the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL). He represents the 59th district, covering parts of downtown and north Minneapolis. This area is in Hennepin County. Since January 2023, he has been the President of the Minnesota Senate.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Bobby Joe Champion was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He attended and graduated from Minneapolis North High School. After high school, he continued his studies at Macalester College. There, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. Later, he went to the William Mitchell College of Law. He earned a Juris Doctor degree, which is a law degree, from this college.
Champion's Career Journey
Before becoming a senator, Champion worked as a lawyer. He served as an assistant Minnesota attorney general. He worked under two different attorneys general, Skip Humphrey and Mike Hatch. He also worked for a legal rights center, helping people with legal issues.
Champion was involved in the music industry too. He worked with Flyte Tyme Productions. He also helped start and direct the Excelsior Choir. This choir was even nominated for a Grammy award. Later, he became the executive director for the Midwest chapter of the National Association of Minority Contractors. He also directed programs for Social Spaces with Stairstep Initiative. In 2023, he worked to change Minnesota's juvenile probation program.
Serving in the Minnesota House
Bobby Joe Champion began his political career in the Minnesota House of Representatives. He was first elected to the House in 2008. In that election, he won against the person who held the seat before him, Augustine Dominguez. Champion 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. Champion was reelected to the Minnesota Senate in 2016. He won against challenger Jennifer Carnahan in that election. He was also re-elected in both 2020 and 2022.
In 2022, his fellow senators chose him to be the President of the Senate. This was a historic moment for Minnesota. Bobby Joe Champion is the first African-American person to hold this important position. Currently, he also leads the Committee on Jobs and Economic Development.
