| Gene Dornink | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 23rd district 27th (2021-2023) | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 5, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Dan Sparks |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1962-12-30) December 30, 1962 (age 62) Austin, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Vicky |
| Children | 12 |
| Residence | Brownsdale, Minnesota |
| Alma mater | Austin Area Vocational-Technical Institute |
Gene Dornink (/ˈdɔːrnɪk/ DOR-nik; born December 30, 1962) is a Minnesota politician and member of the Minnesota Senate. A Republican, he represents District 23, which includes all of Freeborn County and parts of Faribault, Mower, Steele, and Waseca Counties in southeastern Minnesota.
Minnesota Senate
Dornink defeated DFL incumbent Dan Sparks in the 2020 election. He was reelected in 2022, defeating DFL nominee Brandon Lawhead.
Dornink made news in March 2024 when he incorrectly identified Laura Haynor, a pilot for Delta Air Lines, as a "stewardess" during questions following her testimony to the Minnesota Senate on sick and safe time regulations. Haynor had introduced herself as a pilot, but Dornick asked her what a typical week was like as a "stewardess", addressing her as "Toots".
Personal life
Dornink was born and raised on a dairy farm in southern Minnesota. He worked as a union carpenter for many years before starting his own carpentry business.
Dornink and his wife, Vicky, have 12 children. They reside in Brownsdale, Minnesota.
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Gene Dornink (Incumbent) | 20,273 | 60.71 | +11.84 | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Brandon Lawhead | 13,051 | 39.09 | −5.28 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Gene Dornink (Incumbent) | 5,874 | 71.49 | |
| Republican | Lisa Hanson | 2,342 | 28.51 | |
| Total votes | 8,216 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Gene Dornink | 19,759 | 48.87 | +3.70 | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Dan Sparks (Incumbent) | 17,941 | 44.37 | −10.39 | |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Dan Sparks (Incumbent) | 20,540 | 54.76 | −13.46 | |
| Republican | Gene Dornink | 16944 | 45.17 | +13.48 | |
References
- "Senate Members' Pronunciation". Minnesota Legislature. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
- Stultz, Sarah (2020-11-05). "Dornink wins District 27 Senate seat". Albert Lea Tribune. Retrieved 2021-01-23.
- Blackstock, Elizabeth (15 March 2024). ""Lawmaker Asks Delta Pilot About Being A 'Stewardess' Immediately After Being Told She's A Pilot" - Jalopnik url:https://jalopnik.com/lawmaker-asks-delta-pilot-about-being-a-stewardess-imme-1851339094". www.jalopnik.com.
- Lofgren, Mackenzie (7 March 2024). ""I don't know why I said that": Minnesota senator calls female Delta pilot a "stewardess" during hearing - CBS Minnesota". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- Blackstock, Elizabeth (15 March 2024). ""Lawmaker Asks Delta Pilot About Being A 'Stewardess' Immediately After Being Told She's A Pilot" - Jalopnik url:https://jalopnik.com/lawmaker-asks-delta-pilot-about-being-a-stewardess-imme-1851339094/access-date=15 March 2024". www.jalopnik.com.
- "Our View: Minnesota Senate District 27: Dan Sparks vs. Gene Dornink". Rochester Post Bulletin. October 28, 2016.
- "Guest Column: Dornink is quite a 'gem of a person' running for Senate". Albert Lea Tribune. 2016-09-20. Retrieved 2021-01-23.