Torrey Westrom

Torrey Westrom (born March 27, 1973) is a Minnesota politician and member of the Minnesota Senate. A Republican, he represents District 12, which includes all or portions of Big Stone, Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stearns, Stevens, Traverse and Wilkin counties. He is the first known blind person to be elected to the Minnesota Legislature.[1]

Torrey Westrom
Member of the Minnesota Senate
from the 12th district
Assumed office
January 8, 2013
Preceded byPaul Gazelka
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
from the 11A district
13A (1997–2003)
In office
January 7, 1997 – January 7, 2013
Preceded byChuck Brown
Succeeded bydistrict redrawn
Personal details
Born (1973-03-27) March 27, 1973
Golden Valley, Minnesota
Political partyRepublican Party of Minnesota
ResidenceElbow Lake, Minnesota
Alma materBemidji State University
William Mitchell College of Law
ProfessionAttorney, businessman, legislator

Political career

Westrom has served on several legislative commissions, including the Rural Health Care Advisory Task Force, the Secretary of State's voting equipment task force and the Minnesota Legislative Audit Commission. In 2002, President George W. Bush appointed him to serve a four-year term on a federal advisory panel called the Ticket to Work. The panel advised Congress and the White House on return-to-work programs for people with disabilities.[2]

Minnesota House of Representatives

Westrom is a former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives representing District 11A. He was first elected in 1996 and was re-elected every two years until his run for the Minnesota Senate. Prior to the 2002 legislative redistricting, he represented the old District 13A.

Minnesota Senate

Westrom was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2012.

Run for United States Congress

In December 2013, less than a year into his Senate term, Westrom announced that he would challenge incumbent Collin Peterson in Minnesota's 7th congressional district in 2014. He kicked off his campaign with events in Elbow Lake and Moorhead.[3] He raised over $84,000 in the first month of his campaign.[4] In the November general election, he won 46% of the vote, the highest Republican margin against Peterson since 1990.

Personal life

Westrom and his wife are owners of TSI Real Estate based out of Elbow Lake with properties in Hutchinson, Saint Paul, Madelia and several others.

References
  1. "Legislator Record – Westrom, Torrey". Minnesota Legislators Past & Present. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  2. "Torrey Westrom for State Senator". torreywestrom.com. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
  3. Henry, Devin (December 4, 2013). "State Sen. Torrey Westrom to challenge Collin Peterson". MinnPost.
  4. Henry, Devin (January 22, 2014). "Westrom raises $84,000 in campaign's first month". MinnPost.
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