Peterson, Sandra
House 2005-2012 (District 45A)
Party when first elected: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Counties Served:
Hennepin
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Date of Birth:
1/11/1936
Birth Place:
Benson, Minnesota
Birth County:
Swift
Birth Country:
United States
Date of Death:
10/24/2015
Gender:
Female
Religion:
Reported Minority: None Reported
Other Names:
City of Residence (when first elected):
New Hope
Occupation (when first elected):
Former Teacher, Robbinsdale School District
EDUCATION
Benson High School; Secondary;
Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota; B.S.; Education
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities; E.B.D.; Graduate License
University of Minnesota; L.D.; Graduate License
OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE
State Board/Commission/Council:
Minnesota Governor's/Legislative Task Forces and Committees (Served on Many, Appointed by Several Governors);
[Dates Unknown]
[Appointed]
State Board/Commission/Council:
Governor's Workforce Development Council;
07/13/1999 to 01/01/2013
[Appointed]
State Board/Commission/Council:
Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board;
05/27/2003 to 01/01/2006
[Appointed]
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
Spouse:
Widow (her husband, Richard Peterson, died in 1990); partner Alfred (Bud) Teien
Children:
Four children: Stephen and Eric Peterson; Mark and Paul Teien
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
GENERAL NOTES
She served as President of the Minnesota Federation of Teachers union. She was Co-President and Vice-President of Education Minnesota teachers' union.
"'Sandra was the kind of leader we all hope to be -- kind, approachable, smart and firm when necessary,' said Denise Specht, president of Education Minnesota. 'She was a courageous, visionary leader. She will be missed by those who knew her and remembered for her accomplishments as an educator and a union leader.'" (Star Tribune, October 25, 2015.)
Body: House
District: 45A
Elected: 11/2/2010
Residence: New Hope
Term of Office: 1/4/2011 to 1/7/2013
Counties Represented:
Hennepin
Occupation: Teacher
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Body: House
District: 45A
Elected: 11/4/2008
Residence: New Hope
Term of Office: 1/6/2009 to 1/3/2011
Counties Represented:
Hennepin
Occupation: Teacher
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Special Session Bills Authored: 2010 1st Sp.S. - Author
Committees:
-
Finance: Early Childhood Finance and Policy Division
Minutes
-
Finance: Health Care and Human Services Finance Division
Minutes
-
K-12 Education Policy and Oversight
Minutes
-
Rules and Legislative Administration
Minutes
Body: House
District: 45A
Elected: 11/7/2006
Residence: New Hope
Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 1/5/2009
Counties Represented:
Hennepin
Occupation: Former Teacher, Robbinsdale School District
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Committees:
-
E-12 Education
Minutes
-
Finance: Education Finance and Economic Competitiveness Finance Division
Minutes
-
Finance: Education Finance and Economic Competitiveness Finance Division: Early Childhood Learning Finance Division
Minutes
-
Finance: Health Care and Human Services Finance Division
Minutes
Body: House
District: 45A
Elected: 11/2/2004
Residence: New Hope
Term of Office: 1/4/2005 to 1/2/2007
Counties Represented:
Hennepin
Occupation: Former Teacher, Robbinsdale School District
Party:
Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Session Interviews
Session Interview
(Video) 2010 House Interview
Session Interview
(Video) 2005 House Interview
Articles & Books About
Specht, Denise. "Sandra Peterson Leaves Us with Enduring Lessons." Minnesota Educator, December, 2015.
- Also includes section: "Colleagues, Friends, Family Reflect on Peterson's Impact."
"Peterson, Sandra E. (Espeseth) (Obituary)." Star Tribune, October 25, 2015.
Reinan, John. "Union Chief was 'Kind of Leader We All Hope to Be.'" Star Tribune, October 25, 2015.
Stassen-Berger, Rachel E. "Sandra Peterson Dies, Served as Legislator and Union Head." Pioneer Press, October 25, 2015.
Dunn, Ruth. "Education Expert: Outsider Comes Inside to Bring About Change." Session Weekly, St. Paul: Minnesota House of Representatives Information Office, February 11, 2005, p. 17.
District Files
District File - 2005 District 45A
District File - 2006 District 45A
District File - 2007 District 45A
District File - 2008 District 45A
These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.
The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library has collected newspaper articles on legislators since 1973. They are available in the Library.