Mark Dayton
Mark Dayton Dayton in 2012 40th Governor of Minnesota Incumbent Assumed office January 3, 2011 Lieutenant Yvonne Prettner Solon (2011–2015) Tina Smith (2015–present) Preceded by Tim Pawlenty United States Senator from Minnesota In office January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2007 Preceded by Rod Grams Succeeded by Amy Klobuchar 15th Auditor of Minnesota In office January 7, 1991 – January 3, 1995 Governor Arne Carlson Preceded by Arne Carlson Succeeded by Judi Dutcher Personal details Born Mark Brandt Dayton (1947-01-26) January 26, 1947 (age 68) Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. Political party Democratic–Farmer–Labor Spouse(s) Alida Rockefeller Messinger (1978 - 1986) Janice Haarstick Fier (div. 1999) Relations George Dayton (great grandfather) Children 2 Residence Governor's Residence St. Paul, Minnesota (2011-Present) Alma mater Yale University Religion Presbyterianism Website Official website Campaign website Mark Brandt Dayton (born January 26, 1947) is an American politician and the current and 40th Governor of Minnesota, serving since 2011. He was previously a United States Senator for Minnesota from 2001 to 2007, and the Minnesota State Auditor from 1991 to 1995. He is a member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), which affiliates with the national Democratic Party. A native of Minnesota, Dayton is the great-grandson of businessman George Dayton, the founder of Dayton's, a department store that later became the Target Corporation. He embarked on a career in teaching and social work in New York City and Boston after graduating from Yale University in 1969. During the 1970s, he served as a legislative aide to U.S. Senator Walter Mondale and Minnesota Governor Rudy Perpich. In 1978, Dayton was appointed the Minnesota Economic Development Commissioner and married Alida Rockefeller Messinger, a member of the Rockefeller family. Dayton gained national attention in 1982 during his unsuccessful U.S. Senate campaign against Republican Party incumbent David Durenberger. He defeated former U.S. Senator Eugene McCarthy in the Democratic primary, and the general election became the one of the most expensive in state history. Dayton campaigned as a populist in opposition to Reaganomics and famously promised "to close tax loopholes for the rich and the corporations—and if you think that includes the Daytons, you're right." After his defeat, Dayton returned to the Perpich administration until his election as Minnesota State Auditor in 1990. In 1998, Dayton ran an unsuccessful campaign for governor, losing the Democratic nomination to Hubert Humphrey III. In 2000, he was elected to the U.S. Senate after defeating Republican incumbent Rod Grams. As Senator, Dayton voted against the authorization for Iraq War, and became the first Senator to introduce legislation creating a cabinet-level United States Department of Peace. In 2006, he chose not to seek reelection, citing his disillusionment with Washington D.C. and fundraising. In 2010, Dayton defeated Republican Tom Emmer to become Governor of Minnesota despite national success for the Republican Party, including in the Minnesota legislature. His major legislative initiatives as Governor include the legalization of same-sex marriage and the construction of New Minnesota Stadium for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL) in Minneapolis.