# Jim Carlson (Minnesota politician) *Not to be confused with [[Arne Carlson]], [[Governor of Minnesota]] from 1991 to 1999.*[^1] Jim Carlson (born February 17, 1947) is a [[Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party]] (DFL) member of the [[Minnesota Senate]], where he holds the District 52 seat.[^2] The district is in Dakota County, in the southeastern Twin Cities metropolitan area. It takes in nearly all of [[Eagan]] and Mendota Heights, the whole of [[Mendota]], and part of [[Burnsville]].[^2] He won the seat in 2006, lost it to Republican Ted Daley in 2010, regained it in 2012, and won later terms in 2016, 2020 and 2022.[^2] The record compiled for this wiki does not establish any bill, vote or filing by Carlson. Its dated records under the surname "Carlson" concern Governor Arne Carlson and are not attributed to the senator here.[^1] ## Minnesota Senate Carlson's Senate service has run in two stretches. The first ran from his 2006 election to his 2010 defeat by Daley. The second began with his 2012 return, and he was reelected in 2016, 2020 and 2022.[^2] ## Personal life Carlson belongs to the Lutheran faith.[^2] ## In the Minnesota record ### When - [[Minn. Stat. § 43A.191]] sets affirmative-action requirements for state agencies. It was enacted as 1Sp1985 c 13 s 172, and its history line records thirteen amendments and no repeal.[^3] - Five of those amendments were enacted in years when Carlson held his Senate seat. Three were signed by Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty: 2007 c 35, 2008 c 204 and 2009 c 101. Two were signed by Governor Walz (DFL): 1Sp2019 c 10 and 2023 c 62.[^3] - The record does not establish how Carlson voted on any of these amendments.[^3] ### What - On January 14, 2026, the United States sued the State in [[United States v. State of Minnesota (0:26-cv-00273)]] in the District of Minnesota.[^4] - The complaint is brought under [[Title VII]] of the [[Civil Rights Act of 1964]].[^4] - It cites §43A.191 eight times. These citations include subd. 3(c), which requires an agency to explain the reason for hiring a non-affirmative candidate.[^4] - The complaint states allegations. The action is pending, and no ruling is recorded here.[^4] - The [[United States Department of Justice]] announced the suit in release No. 26-21, titled *United States Department of Justice Files Lawsuit Against Minnesota's 'Affirmative Action' Regime*. The release states that Attorney General Pamela Bondi certified the case as a matter of general public importance.[^5] - The U.S. government has used "regime" for governments it opposes. For example, the [[Iraq Liberation Act]] of 1998 states a policy of supporting efforts to remove "the regime headed by Saddam Hussein."[^6] - The project's catalogue of U.S.-government "regime" usages (*[[How Minnesota Got Here]]*, note 40) finds Minnesota the only U.S. state so described.[^5][^6] ## Notes [^1]: Minnesota Legislative Reference Library, *Arne Carlson, Governor of Minnesota (1991–1999)* — biography of Governor Arne Carlson, a different office-holder. https://www.lrl.mn.gov/mngov/govbio?govid=5 [^2]: Wikipedia, *Jim Carlson (Minnesota politician)*, revision 1373170688 (retrieved 2026-10-26) — birth date, DFL membership, District 52 and its territory, elections 2006–2022, religion. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Carlson_(Minnesota_politician)> [^3]: Revisor of Statutes, *Minn. Stat. § 43A.191*, history line — enactment 1Sp1985 c 13 s 172; thirteen amendments (1987 c 186; 1987 c 354; 1988 c 667; 1990 c 571; 1992 c 513; 1995 c 248; 1996 c 305; 2004 c 207; 2007 c 35; 2008 c 204; 2009 c 101; 1Sp2019 c 10; 2023 c 62), no repeal. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/43A.191 [^4]: United States, *Complaint, United States v. State of Minnesota*, No. 0:26-cv-00273 (D. Minn. filed Jan. 14, 2026) — Title VII action citing §43A.191 eight times, including subd. 3(c). https://www.justice.gov/crt/media/1423361/dl [^5]: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, *United States Department of Justice Files Lawsuit Against Minnesota's 'Affirmative Action' Regime*, release No. 26-21 (Jan. 14, 2026) — title of the release; Attorney General Bondi's certification. https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/united-states-department-justice-files-lawsuit-against-minnesotas-affirmative-action-regime [^6]: U.S. Congress, *Iraq Liberation Act of 1998*, Pub. L. 105-338 (1998) — policy of supporting efforts to remove "the regime headed by Saddam Hussein." https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-105publ338/pdf/PLAW-105publ338.pdf