# Dawn Gillman *American politician; member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from District 17A (since 2023)* Dawn Gillman, born October 8, 1973, is a [[Republican Party of Minnesota]] legislator who has held a seat in the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]] since 2023.[^1] Her constituency, District 17A, lies in central [[Minnesota]]. It takes in Hutchinson and Glencoe along with portions of McLeod, Meeker, Sibley and Wright Counties.[^1] Before entering the legislature, Gillman served on the Dassel city council. During the COVID-19 period she founded a youth-sports group that brought an equal-protection suit against the State of Minnesota. A judge rejected that suit.[^1] She won election to the House in 2022, succeeding a Republican incumbent who sought a [[Minnesota Senate]] seat.[^1] ## Early life, education and career Gillman studied at St. Cloud Technical and Community College and holds dental R.D.A. and C.D.A. credentials from there.[^1] She sat on the Dassel city council for six years and then won her legislative seat.[^1] During the period of statewide COVID-19 restrictions, she established "Let Them Play," a group that pressed for youth sports to resume.[^1] She was quoted as saying, "Our government should not restrict our kids' freedom. It's causing harm to their well-being without factual basis".[^1] The group brought a lawsuit against the State of Minnesota, arguing that the restrictions denied young athletes equal protection. A judge turned the challenge down.[^1] The record does not identify the court, the docket number or the date of the ruling. ## Minnesota House of Representatives Gillman's first House campaign followed the announcement by [[Glenn Gruenhagen]], a Republican who had served six terms in the seat, that he would seek election to the Minnesota Senate.[^1] She won the 2022 election.[^1] Her committee assignments are Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy, Human Services Finance, and Sustainable Infrastructure Policy.[^1] The record does not give the dates of these assignments. ## Personal life Gillman and her husband, Brian, make their home in Dassel, Minnesota, and they have five children.[^1] One son, Eli Gillman, plays running back for the Montana Grizzlies.[^1] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - Dawn Gillman, born October 8, 1973. She is a Republican member of the Minnesota House of Representatives.[^1] ### What - She represents District 17A in the Minnesota House.[^1] - She founded "Let Them Play," which advocated reopening youth sports during the COVID-19 restrictions. Its equal-protection suit against the State was rejected by a judge.[^1] ### When - She served six years on the Dassel city council before her election to the legislature.[^1] - She was elected to the House in 2022 and has served since 2023.[^1] ### Where - District 17A includes Hutchinson, Glencoe, and parts of McLeod, Meeker, Sibley and Wright Counties.[^1] - She resides in Dassel, Minnesota.[^1] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Dawn Gillman* (revision 1365546896, retrieved 2026-10-26) — birth date, party, district, education, Dassel council service, "Let Them Play" and its lawsuit, 2022 election, committee assignments and family. CC BY-SA 4.0. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawn_Gillman