Sandy Pappas

Pappas was born in Hibbing, Minnesota. She attended the University of Minnesota and later attended Metropolitan State University, from which she earned a B.A. in public policy in 1986. She later attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, earning an MPA.[1]

Pappas was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing District 65B from 1985 to 1991.[1]

Pappas was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1990 and has been re-elected in every subsequent election since then. She has served on the Capital Investment, Commerce, Finance, Rules and Administration, and State and Local Government committees. She was chair of the Higher Education Committee from 2007 to 2011 and chair of the Education Committee from 2001 to 2003. She served as president pro tempore from 2003 to 2007.

After the DFL regained a majority in the 2012 election, Pappas was elected by her caucus to serve as President of the Minnesota Senate, starting in January 2013.[2] Pappas was re-elected to the Senate in both 2016 and 2020. [3]

Pappas ran an unsuccessful campaign for mayor of Saint Paul against incumbent Norm Coleman in 1997.[1]

Pappas is married to Neal Gosman. They have three daughters and 28 grandchildren.

• Sandy Pappas at Minnesota Legislators Past & Present
• Official Senate website
• Official campaign website
• Project Vote Smart - Senator Sandy Pappas Profile
• Follow the Money - Sandy Pappas Campaign Contributions
  • 2006 2004 2002 2000 1996