Tom Rukavina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tom Rukavina
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| Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 5A district |
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| In office January 6, 1987 – January 7, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Dominic J. Elioff |
| Succeeded by | Jason Metsa (District 6B) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 23, 1950 Virginia, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Died | January 7, 2019 (aged 68) Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic–Farmer–Labor |
| Spouse | Jean Rukavina |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Mesabi Range Community and Technical College University of Minnesota Duluth |
Thomas Rukavina (born August 23, 1950 – died January 7, 2019) was an American politician. He was a member of the Democratic–Farmer–Labor (DFL) party. He served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1987 to 2013. In 2010, he tried to become Governor of Minnesota but did not win his party's nomination. Later, he was a St. Louis County commissioner from 2015 to 2018.
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Early Life and Work
Tom Rukavina was born in Virginia, Minnesota. His family came from Croatia and Italy. He went to the University of Minnesota Duluth and earned a degree in political science.
He started his political career in the 1970s. He served on the school board in Virginia, Minnesota. He also worked on the Pike Town Board. Before becoming a full-time politician, he had many different jobs. He worked at a taconite plant, which processes iron ore. He was also a logger and a naturalist at the Ironworld Discovery Center. He even worked as an assistant director at the Giants Ridge Ski Area.
Serving in the Minnesota House
Tom Rukavina was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives for 13 terms. He served from 1987 to 2013. He represented District 5A, which included the Mesabi Range area in northeastern Minnesota. In 2012, he decided not to run for re-election. He said he was frustrated with how divided politics had become at the state Capitol.
Rukavina once suggested a law to stop the sale of American flags made in other countries in Minnesota. This bill later became a law.
In 2009, he disagreed with the University of Minnesota's plan to sell beer and wine only in special, expensive seats at their football stadium. He believed that all adults should be able to buy alcohol throughout the stadium, including students who were old enough.
Running for Governor
On July 23, 2009, Tom Rukavina started exploring the idea of running for Governor of Minnesota. He officially announced his candidacy in September in Duluth. He received support from Congressman Jim Oberstar. However, at his party's state meeting, he decided to drop out of the race. He then supported Margaret Anderson Kelliher for governor.
Family and Friends
Tom Rukavina was married to Jean, and they had two children. His daughter, Ida, worked for U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar. Ida Rukavina later became the Executive Director of the Range Association of Municipalities and Schools. In December 2022, she was appointed by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to be the new commissioner of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board.
Tom Rukavina was good friends with the late U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone. Senator Wellstone was flying to attend the funeral of Rukavina's father when his plane crashed in October 2002.
His Passing
Tom Rukavina passed away from leukemia on January 7, 2019. He was 68 years old. He died at the University of Minnesota Medical Center in Minneapolis.
After his death, Governor Tim Walz said that Tom Rukavina was someone who dedicated his life to serving Minnesota. U.S. Senator Klobuchar mentioned that Rukavina understood the importance of hard work. She said he was a strong supporter of workers and their families in the Iron Range. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison remembered Rukavina as a "friend, public servant, and a fierce defender of working people."
His Legacy
The Thomas Rukavina Memorial Bridge was named after him. This happened after a bill proposed by Dave Tomassoni was passed by the Minnesota legislature. The bridge is located in the Bridgeview Pocket Park on the Mesabi Trail. A public ceremony was held on August 19, 2021, to officially rename the bridge. U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar was among the guests at the ceremony.
