Tracy L. Beckman (born January 7, 1945) is a Minnesota politician and is a former member of the Minnesota Senate from southern Minnesota. First elected in 1986 in the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party's "firestorm" that swept through the region, giving Democrats unprecedented control of southwestern Minnesota for the next several election cycles, Beckman served four terms. He was re-elected in 1990, 1992 and 1996. He represented the old District 29 and, later, District 26, which included all or portions of Blue Earth, Faribault, Freeborn, Martin, Waseca and Watonwan counties, changing somewhat through redistricting in 1990.[1]

Tracy Beckman
Member of the Minnesota Senate
from the 29th and 26th district
In office
January 6, 1987 – February 26, 1999
Preceded byDarrel Peterson
Succeeded byDonald N. Ziegler
Personal details
Born (1945-01-07) January 7, 1945 (age 79)
Political partyDemocratic-Farmer-Labor Party
SpouseJanel
Children5
ResidenceBricelyn, Minnesota
Alma materMankato State University Harvard University
OccupationGovernment official, politician, business owner and manager

From the small town of Bricelyn, Beckman, a corn processing plant manager, consultant, hardware store owner and former teacher, earned a reputation as a strong advocate for agricultural issues, processing of agricultural products, small business development, rural economic development, job creation, education, crime prevention and health care during his time in office. He is a graduate of Mankato State University and Harvard University.[1]

While in the legislature, Beckman was a member of the Senate Agriculture, Crime Prevention, Economic Development and Housing, Education, Employment, Energy and Community Development, Finance, Government Operations and Reform, Jobs, and Veterans committees, and of various sub-committees relevant to each area.[1]

Beckman ran for Congress against incumbent Gil Gutknecht in 1998 in Minnesota's old 1st Congressional District. Prior to the current re-districting, the district encompassed most of southeastern Minnesota and was a heavily Republican area. Beckman received 45% of the vote to Gutknecht's 55% in the November general election.

In February 1999, Beckman resigned his Senate seat after he was appointed Minnesota State Director of the Farm Service Agency, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Minnesota Legislators Past & Present - Legislator Record - Beckman, Tracy L". Leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved 2010-07-20.
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