Paul Gazelka

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Paul E. Gazelka (born October 1959) is a Minnesota politician and the majority leader of the Minnesota Senate. A Republican, Gazelka represents District 9, which includes communities in Cass, Morrison, Todd and Wadena counties in the north central part of the state. He previously served in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

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Early life, education, and career

Gazelka attended Roosevelt High School in Virginia, Minnesota. He attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in business management. He worked in various capacities with State Farm Insurance through the years, including as an agent, manager, and field executive. Gazelka has served on the local Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club, school board, and as a volunteer for Teen Challenge and Habitat for Humanity. Gazelka owns and operates an insurance agency in Baxter. He is also an author.

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Minnesota House of Representatives

Gazelka previously served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2005 to 2007, where he represented portions of Crow Wing County, including the city of Brainerd. During his term, he served as vice chair of the Commerce and Financial Institutions Committee, in addition to serving on the Jobs and Economic Opportunity Policy Finance Committee, the Transportation Committee, and the Commerce and Financial Institutions Subcommittee for the Tourism Division. Gazelka was defeated for re-election in 2006.

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Minnesota Senate

Gazelka was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2010, defeating incumbent Republican Senator Paul Koering in an August primary election, and his Democratic challenger in the November general election. Following redistricting, Gazelka was placed in Senate District 9. He was re-elected to the Senate in 2012 and 2016. Following the 2016 election, which saw Republicans re-gain a majority in the Senate, Gazelka was elected by his caucus to be majority leader.

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Personal life

Gazelka and his wife, Maralee, live in Nisswa, Minnesota. They have five children.

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References

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External links

• Paul Gazelka at Minnesota Legislators Past & Present
• Senate Majority Leader Gazelka's official Minnesota Senate Republicans website
• Official Minnesota Senate website
• Official campaign website
• Project Votesmart - Senator Paul Gazelka Profile

Source of article : Wikipedia