Steve Simon (born December 12, 1969) is a Minnesota politician. He is the 22nd and current Minnesota Secretary of State. A member of the Minnesota Democraticâ€"Farmerâ€"Labor Party (DFL), he previously represented District 46B in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Early life, education, and career
Simon graduated from Hopkins High School in Hopkins, then went on to Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, receiving his B.A. in Political Science in 1992. He earned his J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1996. He worked as an assistant attorney general for Minnesota attorneys general Hubert H. Humphrey III and Mike Hatch from 1996â€"2001, and has been an associate with the law firm of Robins, Kaplan, Miller, and Ciresi since 2001.
Minnesota House of Representatives
Simon was first elected in 2004, and was re-elected in 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012.
On Monday, May 2, 2011, Simon testified regarding and opposed a proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in Minnesota. His comments drew national attention: "How many more gay people does God have to create before we ask ourselves whether or not God actually wants them around?"
2014 Minnesota Secretary of State campaign
On August 6, 2013, Simon announced his candidacy in the 2014 Minnesota Secretary of State election. He narrowly defeated Republican Dan Severson for the office.
Personal life
Steve Simon is married to Leia Christoffer Simon, and they have two children together. Active in his local community, Simon is a member of the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce, the American Cancer Society, the local League of Women Voters, the St. Louis Park Community Education Advisory Council, and the Lenox Foundation, which raises funds for the St. Louis Park Senior Program. He is a member of Temple Israel, serves on the board of the Minnesota Chapter of the Jewish Community Relations Council, and is an attorney.
Electoral history
References
External links
- Steve Simon at Minnesota Legislators Past & Present
- Rep. Steve Simon official Minnesota House of Representatives website
- Steve Simon official Minnesota House of Representatives campaign website
- Steve Simon for Secretary of State official Minnesota Secretary of State campaign website
- Project Votesmart - Rep. Steve Simon Profile
- Minnesota Public Radio Votetracker: Rep. Steve Simon
