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GOVERNORS OF MINNESOTA

Mark B. (Brandt) Dayton

Fortieth State Governor
January 3, 2011 -

Born: January 26, 1947
in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Occupation: Teacher, politician, Minnesota State Auditor, United States Senator

Party: Democratic Farmer-Labor

The Dayton name is a familiar one for many Minnesotans who shopped at the Dayton’s Department Store for generations. Mark Brandt Dayton, great-grandson of founder George Draper Dayton, chose a life of public service. After college Dayton taught in New York City public schools for two years and worked as a social worker in Boston for four years. He began his political career working as an aide to United State Senator Walter Mondale and later as an aide to Minnesota Governor Rudy Perpich. Governor Dayton served as Commissioner of the Minnesota Departments of Economic Development and of Energy and Economic Development, as State Auditor, and as United States Senator.


In 2011, Mark Brandt Dayton became Minnesota's fortieth Governor after defeating the Republican Party of Minnesota nominee Tom Emmer and Independence Party of Minnesota nominee Tom Horner. The results of the 2010 gubernatorial general election showed Dayton holding a majority of votes by a margin of victory of just under 9,000. A recount confirmed Dayton’s win and he took office on January 3, 2011.

Resources

Objects in MHS 3D Objects Collection related to Governor Dayton
An Inventory of Mark Dayton’s Senatorial Files
An Inventory of the Mark Dayton, State Auditor Correspondence Files (PDF)