Dan_Sparks
Dan Sparks
American politician
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.
Dan Sparks | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 27th district | |
| In office January 7, 2003 – January 5, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Grace Schwab |
| Succeeded by | Gene Dornink |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1968-07-05) July 5, 1968 (age 55) Austin, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic (DFL) |
| Spouse | Andrea |
| Children | 4 |
| Residence | Austin, Minnesota |
| Alma mater | University of Minnesota St. Cloud State University |
| Occupation | Banker, legislator |
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Sparks attended college at the University of Minnesota and St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud.[1]
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]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Dan Sparks (Incumbent) | 17,941 | 44.37 | -10.39 | |
| Republican | Gene Dornink | 19,759 | 48.87 | +3.70 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Dan Sparks (Incumbent) | 20540 | 54.76 | -13.46 | |
| Republican | Gene Dornink | 16944 | 45.17 | +13.48 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Dan Sparks (Incumbent) | 26552 | 68.22 | ||
| Republican | Linden Anderson | 12334 | 31.69 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Dan Sparks (Incumbent) | 17574 | 61.44 | ||
| Republican | Kathy Green | 11005 | 38.48 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Dan Sparks (Incumbent) | 21739 | 67.72 | ||
| Republican | George Marin | 10329 | 32.18 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Dan Sparks | 15091 | 45.54 | ||
| Republican | Grace Schwab (Incumbent) | 15084 | 45.52 | ||
| Independence | Terry Kelley | 2066 | 8.90 | ||
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]
- "Minnesota Legislators Past & Present - Legislator Record - Sparks, Daniel D". Leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
- 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.
- "Results for State Senate District 27". Minnesota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on September 28, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
- "Results for State Senate District 27". Minnesota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on October 5, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
- "Results for State Senate District 27". Minnesota Secretary of State. Archived from the original on August 8, 2015. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
- "Sparks announces candidacy". Austin Daily Herald. March 19, 2002. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
