Gene Dornink
Gene Dornink | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 23rd district 27th (2021-2023) | |
| Assumed office January 5, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Dan Sparks |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 30, 1962 Austin, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Vicky |
| Children | 12 |
| Residence | Brownsdale, Minnesota |
| Alma mater | Austin Area Vocational-Technical Institute |
Gene Dornink (/ˈdɔːrnɪk/ DOR-nik;[1] born December 30, 1962) is a Minnesota politician and member of the Minnesota Senate. A Republican, he represents District 23, which includes all of Freeborn County and parts of Faribault, Mower, Steele, and Waseca Counties in southeastern Minnesota.
Minnesota Senate
[edit]Dornink defeated DFL incumbent Dan Sparks in the 2020 election. He was reelected in 2022, defeating DFL nominee Brandon Lawhead.[2]
Dornink made news in March 2024 when he incorrectly identified Laura Haynor, a pilot for Delta Air Lines, as a "stewardess" during questions following her testimony to the Minnesota Senate on sick and safe time regulations.[3] Haynor had introduced herself as a pilot, but Dornick asked her what a typical week was like as a "stewardess", addressing her as "Toots".[4][5]
Personal life
[edit]Dornink was born and raised on a dairy farm in southern Minnesota. He worked as a union carpenter for many years before starting his own carpentry business.[6]
Dornink and his wife, Vicky, have 12 children. They reside in Brownsdale, Minnesota.[7]
Electoral history
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Gene Dornink (Incumbent) | 20,273 | 60.71 | +11.84 | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Brandon Lawhead | 13,051 | 39.09 | −5.28 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Gene Dornink (Incumbent) | 5,874 | 71.49 | |
| Republican | Lisa Hanson | 2,342 | 28.51 | |
| Total votes | 8,216 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Gene Dornink | 19,759 | 48.87 | +3.70 | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Dan Sparks (Incumbent) | 17,941 | 44.37 | −10.39 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Dan Sparks (Incumbent) | 20,540 | 54.76 | −13.46 | |
| Republican | Gene Dornink | 16944 | 45.17 | +13.48 | |
References
[edit]- ^ "Senate Members' Pronunciation". Minnesota Legislature. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
- ^ Stultz, Sarah (2020-11-05). "Dornink wins District 27 Senate seat". Albert Lea Tribune. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
- ^ Blackstock, Elizabeth (15 March 2024). ""Lawmaker Asks Delta Pilot About Being A 'Stewardess' Immediately After Being Told She's A Pilot" - Jalopnik url:https://jalopnik.com/lawmaker-asks-delta-pilot-about-being-a-stewardess-imme-1851339094". www.jalopnik.com.
- ^ Lofgren, Mackenzie (7 March 2024). ""I don't know why I said that": Minnesota senator calls female Delta pilot a "stewardess" during hearing - CBS Minnesota". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ Blackstock, Elizabeth (15 March 2024). ""Lawmaker Asks Delta Pilot About Being A 'Stewardess' Immediately After Being Told She's A Pilot" - Jalopnik url:https://jalopnik.com/lawmaker-asks-delta-pilot-about-being-a-stewardess-imme-1851339094/access-date=15 March 2024". www.jalopnik.com.
- ^ "Our View: Minnesota Senate District 27: Dan Sparks vs. Gene Dornink". Rochester Post Bulletin. October 28, 2016.
- ^ "Guest Column: Dornink is quite a 'gem of a person' running for Senate". Albert Lea Tribune. 2016-09-20. Retrieved 2021-01-23.