Jim Metzen

James P. Metzen (October 26, 1943 – July 11, 2016) was an American politician and member of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), he represented District 52, which included portions of Dakota County in the southeastern Twin Cities metropolitan area.[1]

Jim Metzen
9th President of the Minnesota Senate
In office
January 7, 2003 – January 4, 2011
Preceded byDon Samuelson
Succeeded byMichelle Fischbach
Member of the Minnesota Senate
from the 52nd district
39th (1987–2013)
In office
January 6, 1987 – July 11, 2016
Preceded byConrado Vega
Succeeded byMatt Klein
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 39B district
52A (1975–1983)
In office
January 7, 1975 – January 5, 1987
Preceded byRay Pavlak
Succeeded byBob Milbert
Personal details
Born(1943-10-26)October 26, 1943
South St. Paul, Minnesota
DiedJuly 11, 2016(2016-07-11) (aged 72)
South St. Paul, Minnesota
Political partyMinnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
ResidenceSouth St. Paul, Minnesota
Alma materUniversity of Minnesota
Occupationretired banker, retired businessman, legislator

Early career

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 a former Vice President of Community Affairs at Key Community Bank, which has branches in Inver Grove Heights and South St. Paul. Metzen was integral in the bank's initial startup.[2] His father, Butch, was a union organizer and one-time Dakota County Commissioner.

Minnesota Legislature

Prior to his election to the Senate, Metzen served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1975 to 1986, representing the old District 52A before the 1982 legislative redistricting and District 39B thereafter. He was also a member of the South St. Paul City Council from 1967 to 1974.[1]

Metzen was first elected to the Senate in 1986 after serving 12 years in the Minnesota House of Representatives. He was President of the Minnesota Senate from 2003 to 2011. He was chair of the Senate Business, Industry and Jobs Committee from 2007 to 2011, chair of the Senate Telecommunications, Energy and Utilities Committee from 2001 to 2003, chair of the Senate Governmental Operations and Veterans Committee from 1995 to 2001, chair of the Senate Governmental Operations and Reform Committee from 1993 to 1995, and chair of the Senate Economic Development and Housing Committee from 1991 to 1993. He has also chaired multiple subcommittees. Lastly, he chaired the Senate Commerce Committee while also serving as a member of the Senate Rules and Administration, Capital Investment, and State Department and Veterans Division Committees.[3]

Personal life

Metzen resided in South St. Paul with his wife, Sandie. His brother, David, is a former University of Minnesota hockey standout, and a former regent of the University of Minnesota. David's wife, Leslie, is a former district court judge in Dakota County. Metzen has two children Jeff and John. He also has two grandchildren.

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 Larry 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.[4]

In September 2015, Metzen was diagnosed with a recurrence of lung cancer. He began oral chemotherapy at his home shortly thereafter.[5] On July 11, 2016, Metzen died of cancer.[6]

References
  1. "Metzen, James P." Legislators Past & Present. Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  2. "Biography Background". Minnesota Senate. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
  3. "Senator James P. Metzen (DFL) District 52". Minnesota Senate. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  4. Bakst, Brian (June 14, 2007). "MN Senate president gets fine, community service in DWI arrest". Associated Press. Retrieved February 24, 2013.
  5. Hinrichs, Erin (September 23, 2015). "Sen. Jim Metzen battles cancer again, political future remains uncertain". Lillie Suburban Newspapers. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  6. Stassen-Berger, Rachel E.; Ferraro, Nick (July 12, 2016). "Longtime South St. Paul Sen. Jim Metzen dies at 72". Pioneer Press. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
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