This is a continuation of our profiles of the legislative leadership for the 2007-2008 session.  The House Majority Caucus leadership is profiled here, and profiles of the minority leadership will follow this week.


Larry Pogemiller, Majority Leader-designate of the Senate

District: 59, Minneapolis
Party: DFL
First Elected: 1982
Previous Positions in Caucus: Chair of the Senate Taxes Committee

Biography: Graduated from De La Salle High School in 1969…B.A. in Transportation Engineering from the University of Minnesota, M.A. in Public Administration from Harvard…Elected to House in 1980, served one term…Works as a project systems analyst…Is the father of two children.

Political Notes: Former Pawlenty Chief of Staff Charlie Weaver says of him, “Our politics don’t line up, but I like his spunk.”…GOP Senate District 38 Chair Michael Brodkorb calls him “Larry ‘The Jerk’ Pogemiller”…Fought hard against allowing the sale of naming rights on the new Gophers stadium, says “To me, to sell the naming rights seems to be sending the message that everything in your state is for sale.”…Has previously pushed bills to raise income tax, sales tax rates…Was considered a possible challenger for the Majority Leader’s spot in 2002, the year Sen. John Hottinger (DFL-St. Peter) was selected…Had been Chair of the Taxes committee since 2000.


Tarryl Clark, Assistant Majority Leader-designate of the Senate

District: 15, St. Cloud
Party: DFL
First Elected: 2005 (Special Election)
Previous Positions in Caucus: None

Biography: Received B.A. from Drake University, MEd from Arizona State University, J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law…Works as an attorney and executive for a non-profit…Married, huband Doug, two children.

Political Notes: Lost twice to then-State Sen. Dave Klies, won special election in December of 2005 when Klies left Senate to serve as Mayor of St. Cloud…Defeated talk-show host Dan “The Ox” Ochsner …At sixth district endorsing convention, said that then-State Sen. Michele Bachmann was “the devil in the blue dress, and Patty [Wetterling] is the saint.”…Served as head of the Minnesota Community Action Association.