James P. Metzen (born October 26, 1943) is the current President of the Minnesota Senate in the U.S. state of Minnesota. He is a member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, was first elected to the senate in 1986, and represents District 39, which includes portions of Dakota County. He and his wife, Sandie, reside in South St. Paul, Minnesota. Prior to his election to the senate, he served in the Minnesota House of Representatives for 12 years (representing the old District 52A before the 1982 redistricting and District 39B thereafter), and on the South St. Paul City Council.^[1]

Metzen is the chair of the Business, Industry and Jobs Committee. He is also a member of the senate's Capital Investment, Commerce & Consumer Protection, Finance, and Rules & Administration committees, and serves on the Finance Subcommittee for the Economic Development Budget Division, and on the Rules & Administration subcommittees for Committees, for Ethical Conduct (which he also chairs), and for Permanent and Joint Rules.^[2]

Minnesota

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Minnesota

Constitution United States Constitution Minnesota Constitution Executive Government Governor: Tim Pawlenty Lieutenant Governor: Carol Molnau Attorney General: Lori Swanson Secretary of State: Mark Ritchie State Auditor: Rebecca Otto State Treasurer: 1858-2003 State Cabinet Legislature Legislature Senate President of the Senate: James Metzen Majority Leader: Lawrence Pogemiller Minority Leader: David Senjem House of Representatives Speaker: Margaret Anderson Kelliher Majority Leader:Anthony Sertich Minority Leader: Kurt Zellers Judiciary Supreme Court Court of Appeals District Courts Specialty Courts Elections Elections Political Parties Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Republican Party Green Party Independence Party List of political parties in Minnesota National minor parties Political party strength Divisions Counties Cities and Towns Federal Relations Federal representation United States Senate Amy Klobuchar (DFL) Al Franken (DFL) United States House 1: Tim Walz (DFL) 2: John Kline (R) 3: Jim Ramstad (R) 4: Betty McCollum (DFL) 5: Keith Ellison (DFL) 6: Michele Bachmann (R) 7:Collin Peterson (DFL) 8:Jim Oberstar (DFL) Politics of the United States

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[edit] Personal

Metzen's father, Butch, was a union organizer and one-time Dakota County Commissioner. His brother, David, is a former University of Minnesota hockey standout, and a current regent of the University of Minnesota. David's wife, Leslie, is a sitting district court judge in Dakota County.

[edit] Professional history

Metzen started in the banking business at Southview Bank, working his way up the chain of command until he sold his interest in the bank in 1992. He is now Vice President of Community Affairs at Key Community Bank, which has branches in Inver Grove Heights and South St. Paul--a bank he helped get off the ground.^[3]

[edit] DUI arrest

On the morning of May 22, 2007, Metzen was arrested for Driving under the influence just hours after the 2007 legislative session came to an end. The arrest occurred less than a mile away from his home. During a field sobriety test, he blew a 0.15, which is nearly twice the Minnesota legal limit of 0.08. He wrote a letter of apology for the incident to Senate Majority Leader Lawrence Pogemiller and his peers. On June 14, 2007, he was sentenced to 20 hours of community service and ordered to pay a $377 fine for the arrest.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• James Metzen at Minnesota Legislators Past & Present
• Minnesota Senate - Senator James Metzen Web Page
• In Touch With Senator Metzen Web Site
• Minnesota Public Radio - Votetracker: James P. Metzen Voting Record
• Project Vote Smart - Senator James Metzen Profile
• Follow the Money - James Metzen Campaign Contributions
  • 2006 2004 2002 2000 1996

v • d • e Current statewide elected officials and legislative leaders of Minnesota U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar · Al Franken State government Tim Pawlenty, Governor · Carol Molnau, Lieutenant Governor · Mark Ritchie, Secretary of State · Lori Swanson, Attorney General · Rebecca Otto, State Auditor Senate Larry Pogemiller, Majority Leader · James Metzen, President · David Senjem, Minority Leader House Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Speaker · Tony Sertich, Majority Leader · Kurt Zellers, Minority Leader Supreme Court Eric J. Magnuson, Chief Justice · Alan Page · Paul H. Anderson · Helen M. Meyer · G. Barry Anderson · Lorie Skjerven Gildea · Christopher Dietzen

v • d • e Presidents of the Minnesota Senate Lt. Governor 1858-1973: Holcombe • Donnelly • Sherwood • Armstrong • Yale • Barto • Wakefield • Gilman • Rice • Ives • Clough • Day • Gibbs • L. Smith • Jones • Eberhart • Gordon • Burnquist • Sullivan • Frankson • Collins • Nolan • Arens • Solberg • Petersen • Richardson • Lindsten • Anderson • Thye • Miller • Anderson • Nelsen • Rolvaag • Keith • Goetz • Perpich • Senator 1973-present: Olson • Gearty • Davies • Hughes • Chmielewski • Hughes • Spear • Samuelson • Metzen

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