Bobby Joe Champion
American politician (born 1963)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bobby Joe Champion (born December 17, 1963) is an American attorney and politician serving as a member of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), he represents the 59th district, which includes portions of downtown and north Minneapolis in Hennepin County.[1] He is the incumbent president of the Minnesota Senate.[2]
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Bobby Joe Champion | |
|---|---|
Champion in 2016 | |
| President of the Minnesota Senate | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | David Osmek |
| Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 59th district | |
| Assumed office January 8, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Linda Higgins (Redistricting) |
| Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 58B district | |
| In office January 6, 2009 – January 8, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Augustine Dominguez |
| Succeeded by | Raymond Dehn (Redistricting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 17, 1963 Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Angela |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Macalester College (BA) William Mitchell College of Law (JD) |
Early life and education
Champion was born in Minneapolis and graduated from Minneapolis North High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Macalester College and a Juris Doctor from the William Mitchell College of Law.
Career
Champion worked as an assistant Minnesota attorney general under Skip Humphrey and Mike Hatch, and as an attorney for a legal rights center. He also worked with Flyte Tyme Productions and co-founded and directed the Grammy-nominated Excelsior Choir. He was executive director of the Midwest chapter of the National Association of Minority Contractors and program director for Social Spaces with Stairstep Initiative.[1][3]
In the 2023 legislative session, Champion pushed for changes to Minnesota's juvenile probation program.[4]
On January 27, 2026, Champion was struck by liquid sprayed by a man at a Ilhan Omar townhall event.[5]
Minnesota House of Representatives
Champion was elected to the House in 2008, unseating first-term incumbent Augustine Dominguez. He was reelected in 2010.[6]
Minnesota Senate
In 2012, Champion was elected to the Minnesota Senate, defeating Republican Jim Lilly, 82%–18%.[7] He was reelected to the Senate in 2016, defeating challenger Jennifer Carnahan.[8] Champion was also reelected in 2020 and 2022.[9] In 2022, he was chosen to serve as president of the Senate by his caucus. He is the first African-American to hold this position. Champion also chairs the Committee on Jobs and Economic Development.[1]