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Party Control

Party Control of the Minnesota Senate, 1951-present

Compiled by the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library

Party codes (see also notes at end of historical data):

C=Conservative	L=Liberal
R=Republican	DFL=Democratic-Farmer-Labor
IR=Independent Republican	Ind.=Independent
	iR=independent Republican

Compiled from Minnesota legislative manuals and other sources, including previous library compilations and several histories of Minnesota.

In 1913, Minnesota legislators began to be elected on nonpartisan ballots (1913 Minn. Laws Chap. 389). Legislators ran and caucused as "Liberals" or "Conservatives" (roughly equivalent in most years to Democratic-Farmer-Labor and Republican, respectively). A 1973 Law change brought back party designation elections beginning with the House in 1974 and the Senate in 1976 (1973 Minn. Laws Chapter 3 section 1; first numbered Minnesota Statute 202.03; renumbered Minnesota Statute 204B.36, subdivision 2). Prior to 1973, party alignment was often difficult to ascertain.

Between November 15, 1975 and September 23, 1995, Minnesota Republicans ran under the party name Independent Republican.

While efforts have been made to verify this information in more than one source, the library cannot guarantee the accuracy of sources; errors are possible. Please report any errors to the library staff.

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Effective Date	Event	Note	Total	C/R/IR	L/DFL	Other	Margin
4/29/2025	Election	Keri Heintzeman (R) won the special election in District 6 on on April 29, 2025. She has not been sworn in yet.	67	33	34	0	1l
3/20/2025	Resignation	Sen. Justin Eichorn (R, 6) resigned effective March 20, 2025.	66	32	34	0	2l
1/28/2025	Special election	Doron Clark (DFL) won the special election in District 60 on on January 28, 2025. He was sworn in on February 3, 2025.	67	33	34	0	1l
1/14/2025	Convenes	District 60 was vacant at the convening of the Legislature.	66	33	33	0	0l
12/27/2024	Death	Sen. Kari Dziedzic (DFL, 60) died of cancer.	66	33	33	0	0l
11/25/2024	Special election	Sen. Ann Johnson Stewart (DFL) won the special election in District 45 on on November 5, 2024. She was sworn in on November 25, 2024.	67	33	34	0	1l
6/6/2024	Resignation	Sen. Kelly Morrison (DFL, 45) resigned in order to campaign for U.S. Congress.	66	33	33	0	0l
4/28/2024	Party/Caucus change	Sen. Nicole Mitchell was excluded from caucusing with the DFL caucus in April of 2024.	67	33	34	0	1l
2/12/2024	Convenes		67	33	34	0	1
1/3/2023	Convenes		67	33	34	0	1
8/11/2022	Death	Sen. David Tomassoni (I, 6) died of ALS.	66	34	31	1	4f
1/31/2022	Convenes		67	34	31	2	5f
1/5/2021	Convenes		67	34	31	2	5f
12/18/2020	Death	Sen. Jerry Relph (R, 14)	66	34	30	2	6f
11/18/2020	Party/Caucus change	Two DFL members formed a separate and independent caucus. The two members are Sen. Tom Bakk (3) and Sen. David Tomassoni (6). f	67	35	30	2	7f
2/11/2020	Convenes		67	35	32	0	3
2/13/2019	Special election	Rep. Jason Rarick (R, 11B) was elected in a special election in Senate District 11 on February 5, 2019. He was sworn in on February 13, 2019.	67	35	32	0	3
1/8/2019	Convenes	District 11 was vacant at the convening of the Legislature due to a resignation.	66	34	32	0	2
1/2/2019	Resignation	Sen. Tony Lourey (DFL, 11) resigned to become the Commissioner of Human Services under Governor Tim Walz.	66	34	32	0	2
12/11/2018	Special election	Rep. Jeff Howe (R, 13A) was elected in a special election in Senate District 13 on November 6, 2018. He was sworn in on December 11, 2018.	67	34	33	0	1
5/25/2018	Resignation	Sen. Michelle Fischbach (R, 13) resigned.	66	33	33	0	0
2/20/2018	Convenes		67	34	33	0	1
2/20/2018	Special election	Former House member Karla Bigham (DFL) was elected in Senate District 54 on February 12, 2018. She was sworn in on February 20, 2018.	67	34	33	0	1
12/15/2017	Resignation	Sen. Dan Schoen (DFL, 54) resigned effective December 15, 2017.	66	34	32	0	2
1/3/2017	Convenes		67	34	33	0	1
7/11/2016	Death	Sen. James Metzen (DFL, 52). No special election was held.	66	28	38	0	10
3/8/2016	Convenes		67	28	39	0	11
2/22/2016	Special election	Former House member Jim Abeler (R) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 35 on February 9, 2016. He was sworn in on February 22, 2016.	67	28	39	0	11
10/31/2015	Resignation	Sen. Branden Petersen (R, 35) resigned for family reasons.	66	27	39	0	12
1/6/2015	Convenes		67	28	39	0	11
2/25/2014	Convenes		67	28	39	0	11
1/8/2013	Convenes		67	28	39	0	11
9/3/2012	Resignation	Sen. John Harrington (DFL, 67) resigned to become Metro Transit Police Chief. No special election was held.	66	37	29	0	8
4/18/2012	Special election	Rep. Lyle Koenen (DFL, 20B) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 20 on April 10, 2012. He was sworn in on April 18, 2012.	67	37	30	0	7
3/2/2012	Death	Sen. Gary Kubly (DFL, 20).	66	37	29	0	8
1/24/2012	Convenes		67	37	30	0	7
1/20/2012	Special election	Kari Dziedzic (DFL) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 59 on January 10, 2012. She was sworn in on January 20, 2012.	67	37	30	0	7
11/7/2011	Resignation	Sen. Larry Pogemiller (DFL, 59) resigned to become the Director of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.	66	37	29	0	8
10/28/2011	Special election	Chris Eaton (DFL) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 46 on October 18, 2011. She was sworn in on October 28, 2011.	67	37	30	0	7
10/25/2011	Special election	Rep. Jeff Hayden (DFL) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 61 on October 18, 2011. He was sworn in on October 25, 2011.	66	37	29	0	8
8/15/2011	Resignation	Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL, 61) resigned to take a position with Hennepin County.	65	37	28	0	9
6/15/2011	Death	Sen. Linda Scheid (DFL, 46).	66	37	29	0	8
4/18/2011	Special election	Former House member Mary Jo McGuire (DFL) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 66 on April 12, 2011. She was sworn in on April 18, 2011.	67	37	30	0	7
3/20/2011	Resignation	Sen. Ellen Anderson (DFL, 66) resigned to chair the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.	66	37	29	0	8
1/4/2011	Convenes		67	37	30	0	7
2/4/2010	Convenes		67	21e	46	0	25
2/4/2010	Special election	Mike Parry (R) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 26 on January 26, 2010. He was sworn in on February 4, 2010.	67	21e	46	0	25
1/8/2010	Resignation	Sen. Dick Day (R, 26) resigned to be a lobbyist.	66	20	46	0	26
1/6/2009	Convenes		67	21	46	0	25
12/5/2008	Special election	Lisa A. Fobbe (DFL) for District 16 and Ken Kelash (DFL) for District 63 are elected in a special election on November 4, 2008. They were sworn in on December 5, 2008.	67	21	46	0	25
11/5/2008	Resignation	Sen. Dan Larson (DFL, 63) resigned to be a lobbyist.	65	21	44	0	23
7/28/2008	Resignation	Sen. Betsy Wergin (R, 16) resigned effective July 28, 2008. She was appointed to the Public Utilities Commission.	66	21	45	0	24
2/12/2008	Convenes		67	22	45	0	23
1/22/2008	Special election	Kevin Dahle (DFL) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 25 on January 3, 2008. He was sworn in on January 22, 2008.	67	22	45	0	23
1/1/2008	Resignation	Sen. Tom Neuville (R, 25) resigned because he was appointed as a Third Judicial District trial court judge. The date is uncertain.	66	22	44	0	22
1/3/2007	Convenes		67	23	44	0	21
3/1/2006	Convenes		67	29	38	0	9
1/9/2006	Party/Caucus change	Sen. Sheila Kiscaden (Independence, 30) announced she has switched to the DFL party and will run for lieutenant governor with gubernatorial candidate Kelly Doran.	67	29	38	0	9
1/6/2006	Special election	Tarryl Clark (DFL) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 15 on December 27, 2005. She was sworn in on January 6, 2006.	67	29	37	1	9a
1/5/2006	Special election	Amy T. Koch (R) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 19 on November 22, 2005. She was sworn in on January 5, 2006.	66	29	36	1	8a
12/31/2005	Resignation	Sen. Mark Ourada (R, 19) planned to resign by December 31, 2005 to accept a new career opportunity in Virginia. The date is uncertain.	65	28	36	1	9a
12/7/2005	Special election	Terri Bonoff (DFL) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 43 on November 22, 2005. She was sworn in on December 7, 2005.	66	29	36	1	8a
11/20/2005	Resignation	Sen. Dave Kleis (R, 15) resigned to become the mayor of St. Cloud. He was sworn in as the mayor on November 21, 2005. His resignation date is uncertain.	65	29	35	1	7a
9/15/2005	Resignation	Sen. David Gaither (R, 43) resigned effective September 15, 2005 to become Gov. Pawlenty's chief of staff.	66	30	35	1	6a
1/4/2005	Convenes		67	31	35	1	5a
7/21/2004	Special election	Rep. Chris Gerlach (R) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 37 on July 13, 2004. He took office on July 21, 2004.	67	31	35	1	5a
6/29/2004	Resignation	Sen. David Knutson (R, 37) resigned because he was appointed to district judgeship. His resignation date is unclear.	66	30	35	1	6a
5/11/2004	Party/Caucus change	Sen. Sheila Kiscaden (Independence, 30) joins the DFL caucus.	67	31	35	1	5a
5/6/2004	Party/Caucus change	Sen. Sheila Kiscaden (Independence, 30) was asked to leave the Republican caucus.	67	31	35	1	4j
2/2/2004	Convenes		67	31	35	1	3b
5/29/2003	Party/Caucus change	After the 2003 Special Session, Sen. Tom Bakk (DFL, 6) left the DFL caucus, but remained in the DFL party. The legislature was not in session while he was not a member of the DFL caucus.	67	31	34	2	3k
1/7/2003	Convenes		67	31	35	1	3b
12/13/2002	Party/Caucus change	Sen. Sheila Kiscaden (Independence, 30) joins the Republican caucus. (Sen. Bob Lessard is the other Ind. Party member; he is retiring at the end of the term. He did not caucus with either party.)	67	26	39	2	12c
7/9/2002	Party/Caucus change	Sen. Sheila Kiscaden (R, 30) became a member of the Independence party.	67	26	39	2	13i
2/4/2002	Special election	Mee Moua (DFL) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 67 on January 29, 2002 in a special election. She was sworn in on February 4, 2002.	67	27	39	1	12h
2/4/2002	Special election	Yvonne Prettner Solon (DFL) won seat that had been held by her husband in the special election for a Senate seat in District 7 on January 29, 2002. She was sworn in on February 4, 2002.	67	27	39	1	12h
1/29/2002	Convenes	Districts 7 and 67 were vacant at the convening of the Legislature.	65	27	37	1	10h
1/2/2002	Resignation	Sen. Randy Kelly (DFL, 67) resigned effective January 2, 2002. He was elected to the position of Mayor of Saint Paul.	65	27	37	1	10h
12/28/2001	Death	Sen. Sam Solon (DFL, 7)	66	27	38	1	11h
1/3/2001	Convenes		67	27	39	1	12h
1/3/2001	Party/Caucus change	Sen. Bob Lessard (independent, 3) joins Independence Party.	67	27	39	1	12h
7/18/2000	Party/Caucus change	Sen. Bob Lessard (DFL, 3) becomes an independent.	67	26	40	1	14h
6/15/2000	Party/Caucus change	Sen. Charlie Berg (independent, 13) becomes Republican.	67	26	41	0	15
2/1/2000	Convenes		67	25	41	1	16g
1/12/2000	Party/Caucus change	Sen. Dean Johnson (R, 15) joins the DFL Party.	67	25	41	1	16g
12/23/1999	Special election	Tony Kinkel (DFL) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 4 on December 14, 1999. He was sworn in on December 23, 1999.	67	26	40	1	14g
12/23/1999	Special election	Twyla Ring (DFL) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 18 on November 2, 1999. She was sworn in on December 23, 1999.	66	26	39	1	13g
10/27/1999	Resignation	Sen. David Ten Eyck (DFL, 4) resigned. He was appointed Crow Wing County district judge.	65	26	38	1	12g
8/21/1999	Death	Sen. Janet Johnson (DFL,18).	66	26	39	1	13g
4/21/1999	Special election	Bob Kierlin (R) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 32 on April 13, 1999. He was sworn in on April 21, 1999.	67	26	40	1	14g
4/6/1999	Special election	Don Ziegler (R) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 26 on March 30, 1999. He was sworn in on April 6, 1999.	66	25	40	1	15g
3/15/1999	Resignation	Sen. Steve Morse (DFL, 32) resigned effective March 15, 1999. He was appointed to a Deputy Commissioner position with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.	65	24	40	1	16g
3/1/1999	Resignation	Sen. Tracy Beckman (DFL, 26) resigned effective February 26, 1999. He was appointed to a position in a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.	66	24	41	1	17g
1/5/1999	Convenes		67	24	42	1	18g
1/20/1998	Convenes		67	24	42	1	18g
1/7/1997	Convenes		67	24	42	1	18g
7/1/1996	Resignation	Sen. Skip Finn (DFL, 4) resigned. There was no special election held.	66	25	40	1	15g
5/1996	Party/Caucus change	Sen. Charlie Berg (DFL, 13) becomes independent. The exact date of his party change in May is unknown.	67	25	41	1	16g
2/12/1996	Special election	Michelle Fischbach (R) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 14 on February 6, 1996. She was sworn in on Feburary 12, 1996.	67	25	42	0	17
1/16/1996	Convenes	District 14 was vacant at the convening of the Legislature due to a resignation.	66	24	42	0	18
1/9/1996	Resignation	Sen. Joe Bertram (DFL, 14) resigned.	66	24	42	0	18
2/13/1995	Special election	Rep. Warren Limmer (IR) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 33 on February 2, 1995. He was sworn in on February 13, 1995.	67	24	43	0	19
1/9/1995	Special election	Dave Kleis (IR) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 16 on December 29, 1994. He was sworn in on January 9, 1995.	66	23	43	0	20
1/9/1995	Special election	Don Kramer (IR) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 47 on December 29, 1994. He was sworn in on January 9, 1995.	66	23	43	0	20
1/3/1995	Convenes	Districts 16, 33, and 47 were vacant at the convening of the Legislature.	64	21	43	0	22
1/3/1995	Special election	Mark Ourada (IR) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 19 on November 8, 1994. He was sworn in on January 3, 1995.	64	21	43	0	22
1/2/1995	Resignation	Sen. Joanne Benson (IR, 16) elected lieutenant governor.	63	20	43	0	23
1/1/1995	Resignation	Sen. Bill Luther (DFL, 47) elected to U.S. House.	64	21	43	0	22
1/1/1995	Resignation	Sen. Betty Adkins (DFL, 19) retires early, effective January 1995.	65	21	44	0	23
12/27/1994	Resignation	Sen. Pat McGowan (IR, 33) resigned after he was elected to be Hennepin County sheriff.	66	21	45	0	24
12/8/1994	Special election	Kenric Scheevel (IR) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 31 on November 8, 1994. He was sworn in on December 8, 1994.	67	22	45	0	23
9/19/1994	Resignation	Sen. Duane Benson (IR, 31) resigned to become director of Minnesota Business Partnership.	66	21	45	0	24
2/22/1994	Convenes		67	22	45	0	23
1/5/1993	Convenes		67	22	45	0	23
5/20/1992	Resignation	Sen. Jim Gustafson (IR, 8) appointed commissioner of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation Board; no special election.	66	20	46	0	26
1/9/1992	Special election	Roy Terwilliger (IR) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 42 on January 4, 1992. He was sworn in on January 9, 1992.	67	21	46	0	25
1/6/1992	Convenes	District 42 was vacant at the convening of the Legislature due to a resignation.	66	20	46	0	26
12/7/1991	Resignation	Sen. Don Storm (IR, 42) appointed to Public Utilities Commission.	66	20	46	0	26
1/8/1991	Convenes		67	21	46	0	25
2/15/1990	Special election	Carol Flynn (DFL) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 61 on February 10, 1990. She was sworn in on February 15, 1990.	67	23	44	0	21
2/12/1990	Convenes	District 61 was vacant at the convening of the Legislature due to a resignation.	66	23	43	0	20
2/12/1990	Special election	Former House member, Mark Piepho (IR) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 24 on February 3, 1990. He was sworn in on February 12, 1990.	66	23	43	0	20
2/3/1990	Resignation	Sen. Glen Taylor (IR, 24) resigned effective February 3, 1990 to devote more time to his business interests.	65	22	43	0	21
1/15/1990	Resignation	Sen. Donna Peterson (DFL, 61) resigned after being hired (effective January 16, 1990) as a lobbyist for the University of Minnesota. Her official term end date is uncertain.	66	23	43	0	20
1/3/1989	Convenes		67	23	44	0	21
1/3/1989	Special election	Pat McGowan (IR) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 48 on December 20, 1988. He was sworn in on January 3, 1989.	67	23	44	0	21
1/3/1989	Special election	Pat Pariseau (IR) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 37 on November 8, 1988. She was sworn in on January 3, 1989.	67	22	45	0	23
1/2/1989	Resignation	Sen. Tad Jude (DFL, 48) resigned effective January 2, 1989. He was elected Hennepin County Commissioner on November 8, 1988.	66	22	44	0	22
1/1/1989	Resignation	Sen. Darril Wegscheid (DFL, 37) resigned effective January 1, 1989 to devote more time to his career.	66	21	45	0	24
2/9/1988	Convenes		67	21	46	0	25
11/16/1987	Special election	Robert Decker (IR) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 4 on November 3, 1987. He was sworn in on November 16, 1987.	67	21	46	0	25
11/14/1987	Resignation	Sen. Gerald Willet (DFL, 4) resigned due to his appointment as director of Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. His resignation date is unclear, but his appointment was effective November 15, 1987.	66	20	46	0	26
1/6/1987	Convenes		67	20	47	0	27
5/1/1986	Party/Caucus change	Sen. Charles Berg (independent) becomes DFL. The exact date in May is uncertain.	67	24	43	0	19
2/3/1986	Convenes		67	24	42	1	18g
3/7/1985	Party/Caucus change	Sen. Charles Berg (IR) becomes independent.	67	24	42	1	18g
2/11/1985	Special election	Jim Gustafson (IR) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 8 on February 5, 1985. He was sworn in on February 11, 1985.	67	25	42	0	17
1/9/1985	Resignation	Sen. James Ulland (IR, 8) resigned to become a senior vice president of First Bank Systems.	66	24	42	0	18
1/8/1985	Convenes		67	25	42	0	17
3/6/1984	Convenes		67	25	42	0	17
1/4/1983	Convenes		67	25	42	0	17
1/12/1982	Convenes		67	23	44	0	21
5/15/1981	Special election	Randy Kamrath (IR) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 20 on May 12, 1981. He was sworn in on May 15, 1981.	67	23	44	0	21
4/10/1981	Resignation	Sen. Jim Nichols (DFL, 20) resigned to focus on the needs of his family and farm.	66	22	44	0	22
1/6/1981	Convenes		67	22	45	0	23
7/1/1980	Resignation	Sen. Bob Dunn (IR, 18) resigned to become chairman of Waste Management Board; no special election.	65	21	44	0	23
5/1/1980	Resignation	Sen. William McCutcheon (DFL, 67) resigned to become St. Paul police chief. The term end day is unclear. No special election was held.	66	22	44	0	22
2/28/1980	Special election	Ben Omann (IR) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 16 on February 22, 1980. He was sworn in on February 28, 1980.	67	22	45	0	23
1/22/1980	Convenes	District 16 was vacant at the convening of the Legislature due to a death.	66	21	45	0	24
1/20/1980	Death	Sen. Ed Schrom (DFL, 16).	66	21	45	0	24
1/16/1980	Special election	Former House member, Emery Barrette (IR) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 66 on January 8, 1980. He was sworn in on January 16, 1980.	67	21	46	0	25
11/26/1979	Resignation	Sen. John Chenoweth (DFL, 66) resigned to become director of Minneapolis Municipal Employees Retirement Association.	66	20	46	0	26
11/12/1979	Special election	Anne Stokowski (DFL) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 55 on November 6, 1979. She was sworn in on November 12, 1979.	67	20	47	0	27
8/1/1979	Death	Sen. Eugene Stokowski (DFL, 55).	66	20	46	0	26
7/9/1979	Special election	Irv Stern (DFL) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 41 on June 19, 1979. He was sworn in on July 9, 1979.	67	20	47	0	27
4/25/1979	Death	Sen. Robert Lewis (DFL, 41)	66	20	46	0	26
1/3/1979	Convenes		67	20	47	0	27
12/29/1978	Special election	David Rued (IR) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 13 on December 19, 1978. He was sworn in on December 29, 1978.	67	20	47	0	27
11/15/1978	Resignation	Sen. Win Borden (DFL, 13) resigned to become executive secretary of MACI.	66	19	47	0	28
1/17/1978	Convenes		67	19	48	0	29
12/9/1977	Special election	Delores Knaak (IR) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 49 on December 3, 1977. She was sworn in on December 9, 1977.	67	19	48	0	29
11/1/1977	Resignation	Sen. John Milton (DFL, 49) resigned.	66	18	48	0	30
2/15/1977	Special election	Rep. A. O. Setzepfandt (DFL, 21B) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 21 in a special election on February 5, 1977. He was sworn in on February 15, 1977.	67	18	49	0	31
1/4/1977	Convenes	District 21 was vacant at the convening of the Legislature due to a resignation.	66	18	48	0	30
12/29/1976	Resignation	Sen. Alec Olson (DFL, 21) resigned to become lieutenant governor.	66	18	48	0	30
11/2/1976	Election		67	18	49	0	31
1/27/1976	Convenes		67	28	38	1	10d
2/10/1975	Special election	Nancy Brataas (R) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 33 on February 1, 1975. She was sworn in on February 10, 1975.	67	28	38	1	9d
1/7/1975	Convenes	District 33 was vacant at the convening of the Legislature due to a resignation.	66	27	38	1	10d
1/7/1975	Special election	Robert J. (Bob) Schmitz (DFL) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 36 on December 14, 1974. He was sworn in on January 7, 1975.	66	27	38	1	10d
1/7/1975	Special election	Eugene Merriam (DFL) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 47 on November 5, 1974. He was sworn in on January 7, 1975.	66	27	38	1	10d
1/7/1975	Special election	Peter Stumpf (DFL) won the special election for a Senate seat in District 64 on November 5, 1974. He was sworn in on January 7, 1975.	66	27	38	1	10d
1/1/1975	Resignation	Sen. Harold Krieger (R, 33) resigned because he was elected Olmsted County judge. His official term end date is uncertain.	62	30	32	0	2
11/5/1974	Resignation	Sen. Jim Lord (DFL, 36) resigned because he was elected state treasurer. His resignation date is possibly the date of the election, but it is unclear.	63	31	32	0	1
6/28/1974	Resignation	Sen. Stanley Thorup (DFL, 47) resigned effective June 28, 1974. He was appointed to serve as a judge in Anoka County.	64	31	33	0	2
6/10/1974	Resignation	Sen. Ed Novak (DFL, 64) resigned. He was appointed Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.	66	31	35	0	4
1/15/1974	Convenes	Sen. Bill McCutcheon switched from the Republican party to the DFL party in December 1973 and Sen. Charlie Berg became an independent following the 1973 legislative session.	67	31	36	0	5
1/2/1973	Convenes		67	30	37	0	7
1/5/1971	Convenes		67	34	33	0	1
1/7/1969	Convenes		67	45	22	0	23
1/3/1967	Convenes		67	45	22	0	23
1/5/1965	Convenes		67	44	23	0	21
1/8/1963	Convenes		67	43	24	0	19
1/3/1961	Convenes		67	43	24	0	19
1/6/1959	Convenes		67	43	24	0	19
1/8/1957	Convenes		67	48	19	0	29
1/4/1955	Convenes		67	48	19	0	29
1/6/1953	Convenes		67	52	15	0	37
1/2/1951	Convenes		67	51	16	0	35

a This margin reflects that Senator Sheila Kiscaden caucused with the Democrats.
b This margin reflects that Senator Sheila Kiscaden caucused with the Republicans.
c The margin reflects the fact that one member of the Independence party, Senator Sheila Kiscaden, caucused with the Republican caucus and the other Independence party member, Senator Bob Lessard, was not a member of either caucus.
d Senator Charlie Berg is listed in the 1975-76 Legislative Manual as caucusing with the Independent Republican caucus. He is included with the Republicans for the purposes of the margin.
e An article in the St. Cloud Times on August 12, 2010, states that "Koering served two terms as a Republican, but said [on August 11] he´s leaving the party after it helped elect former state representative Paul Gazelka of Brainerd." (Sommerhauser, Mark. "Koering to Back DFL's Stevenson After Leaving GOP." St. Cloud Times, August 12, 2010)
f Senator Tom Bakk and Senator David Tomassoni formed a separate and independent caucus. Their party endorsement in the 2020 election was DFL. Both senators asserted that they hadn’t left the DFL party but rather are caucusing independent of the senate DFL caucus. However, during session they primarily caucused with the Republican caucus and chaired committees, so they are included with the Republican caucus for the purposes of the margin.
g During this time, Senator Charlie Berg did not caucus with the Republicans or the Democrats. He is not included in the calculation of the margin.
h During this time, Senator Bob Lessard did not caucus with the Republicans or the Democrats. He is not included in the calculation of the margin.
i During this time, Senator Sheila Kiscaden and Senator Bob Lessard did not caucus with the Republicans or the Democrats. They are not included in the calculation of the margin.
j This margin reflects that Senator Sheila Kiscaden caucused independently.
k For the purposes of the margin, Senator Bakk is counted with the Democrats and Senator Sheila Kiscaden caucused with the Republicans.
l The margin reflects that Senator Nicole Mitchell is a DFL member but has been removed from caucus meetings.

Sources of data:

• Legislative Directory (unofficial), 1957-1973 (Minnesota Railroads Association)
• Membership directories, 1987-1989 (Minnesota House of Representatives)
• Newspaper clippings, 1970s- (especially for mid-term changes)
• House and Senate journals