wwikiqo
About

Bobby Joe Champion

American politician (born 1963)

Bobby Joe Champion

Bobby Joe Champion is an American attorney and politician serving as a member of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), he represents the 59th district, which includes portions of downtown and north Minneapolis in Hennepin County. He is the incumbent president of the Minnesota Senate.

Bobby Joe Champion

Bobby Joe Champion
Champion in 2016
President of the Minnesota Senate
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
Serving with Jeremy Miller (January 14, 2025 – February 3, 2025)
Preceded byDavid Osmek
Member of the Minnesota Senate
from the 59th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 8, 2013
Preceded byLinda Higgins (Redistricting)
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 58B district
In office
January 6, 2009 – January 8, 2013
Preceded byAugustine Dominguez
Succeeded byRaymond Dehn (Redistricting)
Personal details
Born (1963-12-17) December 17, 1963 (age 62)
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
PartyDemocratic
SpouseAngela
Children3
EducationMacalester College (BA)
William Mitchell College of Law (JD)

Bobby Joe Champion (born December 17, 1963) is an American attorney and politician serving as a member of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), he represents the 59th district, which includes portions of downtown and north Minneapolis in Hennepin County.[1] He is the incumbent president of the Minnesota Senate.[2]

Early life and education

Champion was born in Minneapolis and graduated from Minneapolis North High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Macalester College and a Juris Doctor from the William Mitchell College of Law.

Career

Champion worked as an assistant Minnesota attorney general under Skip Humphrey and Mike Hatch, and as an attorney for a legal rights center. He also worked with Flyte Tyme Productions and co-founded and directed the Grammy-nominated Excelsior Choir. He was executive director of the Midwest chapter of the National Association of Minority Contractors and program director for Social Spaces with Stairstep Initiative.[1][3]

In the 2023 legislative session, Champion pushed for changes to Minnesota's juvenile probation program.[4]

On January 27, 2026, Champion was struck by liquid sprayed by a man at a Ilhan Omar townhall event.[5]

Minnesota House of Representatives

Champion was elected to the House in 2008, unseating first-term incumbent Augustine Dominguez. He was reelected in 2010.[6]

Minnesota Senate

In 2012, Champion was elected to the Minnesota Senate, defeating Republican Jim Lilly, 82%–18%.[7] He was reelected to the Senate in 2016, defeating challenger Jennifer Carnahan.[8] Champion was also reelected in 2020 and 2022.[9] In 2022, he was chosen to serve as president of the Senate by his caucus. He is the first African-American to hold this position. Champion also chairs the Committee on Jobs and Economic Development.[1]

Awards

In 2023, Champion was honored at the Humphrey-Mondale Awards and received the Joan Growe Award.[10]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Minnesota Legislators Past & Present - Legislator Record - Champion, Bobby Joe". Leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
  2. ↑ Olson, Rochelle (November 11, 2022). "Minnesota Senate Democrats choose Kari Dziedzic of Minneapolis as new majority leader". Star Tribune. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  3. ↑ "Project Vote Smart - Representative Bobby Joe Champion - Biography". Votesmart.org. December 17, 1963. Retrieved July 20, 2010.
  4. ↑ Serres, Chris (January 12, 2023). "Citing failures, Minnesota DFL lawmakers push juvenile justice system reforms". www.startribune.com. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  5. ↑ Champion, Senator Bobby Joe (January 28, 2026). "Senator Champion Statement on Incident at Town Hall | Minnesota Senate DFL". Retrieved January 28, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Election Reporting". Archived from the original on March 13, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Election Results". kare11.com. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Minnesota 59th District State Senate Results: Bobby Joe Champion Wins". The New York Times. August 1, 2017. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  9. ↑ "Results for State Senator District 59". Minnesota Secretary of State: Election Results.
  10. ↑ "DFL Party Announces 2023 Humphrey Mondale Award Winners". Minnesota DFL. April 6, 2024.