Dan Sparks

Daniel D. Sparks (born July 5, 1968) is an American politician and former member of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), he represented District 27 which included all or portions of Dodge County, Faribault County, Freeborn County, Mower County, and Steele County in the southeastern part of Minnesota.

For the American basketball player and coach, see Dan Sparks (basketball).

Dan Sparks
Member of the Minnesota Senate
from the 27th district
In office
January 7, 2003 – January 5, 2021
Preceded byGrace Schwab
Succeeded byGene Dornink
Personal details
Born (1968-07-05) July 5, 1968
Austin, Minnesota, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic (DFL)
SpouseAndrea
Children4
ResidenceAustin, Minnesota
Alma materUniversity of Minnesota
St. Cloud State University
OccupationBanker, legislator

Early life and education

Sparks attended college at the University of Minnesota and St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud.[1]

Elections

Sparks was elected to the Senate in 2002, defeating Senator Grace Schwab by seven votes after an automatic recount. He was reelected in 2006, 2010, 2012, and 2016.[1] In the 2020 election, Sparks was defeated by Republican Gene Dornink.[2]

2020 Minnesota State Senate District 27[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic (DFL) Dan Sparks (Incumbent) 17,941 44.37 -10.39
Republican Gene Dornink 19,759 48.87 +3.70
2016 Minnesota State Senator- Senate 27[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic (DFL) Dan Sparks (Incumbent) 20540 54.76 -13.46
Republican Gene Dornink 16944 45.17 +13.48
2012 Minnesota State Senator- Senate 27[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic (DFL) Dan Sparks (Incumbent) 26552 68.22
Republican Linden Anderson 12334 31.69
2010 Minnesota State Senator- Senate 27[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic (DFL) Dan Sparks (Incumbent) 17574 61.44
Republican Kathy Green 11005 38.48
2006 Minnesota State Senator- Senate 27[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic (DFL) Dan Sparks (Incumbent) 21739 67.72
Republican George Marin 10329 32.18
2002 Minnesota State Senator- Senate 27[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic (DFL) Dan Sparks 15091 45.54
Republican Grace Schwab (Incumbent) 15084 45.52
Independence Terry Kelley 2066 8.90

Personal life

He and his wife Andrea live in Austin with their four children. He has worked in road construction, at the Austin Hormel plant, at Farmers and Merchants Bank in Austin and on the family farm. Sparks has also been on the YMCA Board of Directors, is a member of the local Lions Club, and is involved in youth hockey and Little League.[6]

References
  1. "Minnesota Legislators Past & Present - Legislator Record - Sparks, Daniel D". Leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
  2. Stultz, Sarah (November 5, 2020). "Dornink wins District 27 Senate seat". Albert Lea Tribune. Archived from the original on November 5, 2020. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  3. "Results for State Senate District 27". Minnesota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 28, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  4. "Results for State Senate District 27". Minnesota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on October 5, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  5. "Results for State Senate District 27". Minnesota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on August 8, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  6. "Sparks announces candidacy". Austin Daily Herald. March 19, 2002. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
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