Paul Gazelka | |
---|---|
Majority Leader of the Minnesota Senate | |
Assumed office January 3, 2017 |
|
Preceded by | Tom Bakk |
Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 9th district 12th (2011–2013) |
|
Assumed office January 4, 2011 |
|
Preceded by | Paul Koering |
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 12A district |
|
In office January 4, 2005 – January 2, 2007 |
|
Preceded by | Dale Walz |
Succeeded by | John Ward |
Personal details | |
Born | October 1959 (age 57) |
Political party | Republican Party of Minnesota |
Spouse(s) | Maralee |
Children | 5 |
Residence | Nisswa, Minnesota |
Alma mater | Oral Roberts University |
Profession | insurance agent |
Paul E. Gazelka (born October 1959) is a Minnesota politician and the majority leader of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, he represents District 9, which includes all or portions of Cass, Morrison, Todd and Wadena counties in the north central part of the state.
Gazelka attended Roosevelt High School in Virginia, Minnesota, then went on to Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, earning his B.S. in Business Management. He worked in various capacities with State Farm Insurance through the years as an agent, a manager and a field executive. Active in his community, he has served as president of the local Chamber of Commerce, president of the local Kiwanis Club, a school board chairman, a youth basketball coach, and a volunteer for Teen Challenge and Habitat for Humanity. He is the owner of Paul Gazelka Insurance Agency.
Gazelka previously served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2005–2007, representing House District 12A, which included portions of Crow Wing County, including the city of Brainerd. During his term, he served on and was vice chair of the House's Commerce and Financial Institutions Committee, and also served on the Jobs and Economic Opportunity Policy Finance Committee, the Transportation Committee, and the Commerce and Financial Institutions Subcommittee for the Tourism Division.