# Sandy Pappas *Minnesota politician; member of the Minnesota Senate since 1991 and President of the Minnesota Senate from 2013 to 2019* Sandra L. "Sandy" Pappas (born June 15, 1949) is a [[Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party]] (DFL) politician who has held a seat in the [[Minnesota Senate]] since 1991. As of the cited revision, her seat is District 65, which covers parts of Saint Paul in Ramsey County. From 2013 to 2019 she held the office of President of the Minnesota Senate.[^1] Pappas came to the Senate after three terms in the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]]. In 1997 she was the DFL's endorsed candidate for mayor of Saint Paul and was defeated by the incumbent, [[Norm Coleman]].[^1] ## Early life and education Pappas was born in [[Hibbing, Minnesota]], and went to Robbinsdale High School in [[Robbinsdale, Minnesota]].[^2] After studies at the [[University of Minnesota]], she completed a B.A. in public policy at [[Metropolitan State University]] in 1986. She subsequently received an MPA from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.[^2] ## Minnesota House of Representatives Pappas won her first House election in 1984, in District 65B. Her DFL primary that year was decided by a margin narrow enough to require a recount.[^3] After three House terms, she sought a Senate seat in 1990.[^3] ## Minnesota Senate In the 1990 DFL primary, Pappas unseated the sitting senator, [[Donald Moe]]. She has won each election since; the cited revision counts 10 Senate terms in all.[^4] Her committee assignments have included Capital Investment, Commerce, Finance, Rules and Administration, and State and Local Government. She was chair of the Education Committee from 2001 to 2003 and of the Higher Education Committee from 2007 to 2011, and held the post of president pro tempore from 2003 to 2007.[^4] When the DFL won back the Senate majority in the 2012 election, its caucus chose Pappas as President of the Senate, an office she took up in January 2013[^4] and held until 2019.[^1] The revision records further Senate victories in 2016, 2020, and 2022. As of that revision, it lists her as chair of the Capital Investment Committee and as a member of the Finance, Judiciary and Public Safety, and Labor committees.[^4] ## 1997 Saint Paul mayoral campaign In the 1997 Saint Paul mayoral election, Pappas was the DFL-endorsed candidate;[^1] the incumbent, Norm Coleman, won.[^5] ## Personal life Pappas is married. The cited revision reports that she and her spouse have three children and 31 grandchildren.[^6] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - Sandra L. "Sandy" Pappas, born June 15, 1949, a member of the DFL.[^1] ### Where - District 65, covering parts of Saint Paul in Ramsey County, as of the cited revision.[^1] ### When - 1984: elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives, District 65B.[^3] - 1990: elected to the Minnesota Senate after defeating incumbent Donald Moe in the DFL primary.[^4] - 1997: DFL-endorsed candidate for mayor of Saint Paul; lost to Norm Coleman.[^1] - 2001–2003: chair, Education Committee.[^4] - 2003–2007: president pro tempore.[^4] - 2007–2011: chair, Higher Education Committee.[^4] - 2013–2019: President of the Minnesota Senate.[^1] ### How many - Three terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives.[^3] - Ten terms in the Minnesota Senate, as counted in the cited revision.[^4] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Sandy Pappas* (revision 1378381171, retrieved 2026-10-26) — lead section: birth date, party, district, Senate service since 1991, Senate presidency 2013–2019, three House terms, 1997 DFL endorsement for mayor. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy_Pappas [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Sandy Pappas* (revision 1378381171, retrieved 2026-10-26) — "Early life and education": birthplace, high school, degrees. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy_Pappas [^3]: Wikipedia contributors, *Sandy Pappas* (revision 1378381171, retrieved 2026-10-26) — "Minnesota House of Representatives": 1984 election in District 65B, primary recount, three terms, 1990 Senate run. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy_Pappas [^4]: Wikipedia contributors, *Sandy Pappas* (revision 1378381171, retrieved 2026-10-26) — "Minnesota Senate": 1990 primary against Donald Moe, term count, committee service and chairs, president pro tempore, 2013 election as Senate President, reelections. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy_Pappas [^5]: Wikipedia contributors, *Sandy Pappas* (revision 1378381171, retrieved 2026-10-26) — "1997 Saint Paul mayoral campaign": loss to incumbent Norm Coleman. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy_Pappas [^6]: Wikipedia contributors, *Sandy Pappas* (revision 1378381171, retrieved 2026-10-26) — "Personal life": marriage, children, grandchildren. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy_Pappas