Sandy Pappas


Sandra L. "Sandy" Pappas is a Minnesota politician and former President of the Minnesota Senate. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, she represents District 65, which includes portions of Saint Paul in Ramsey County in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Early life and education

Pappas was born in Hibbing, Minnesota. She attended the University of Minnesota and later attended Metropolitan State University, from which she earned a B.A. in public policy in 1986. She later attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, earning an MPA.

Minnesota House of Representatives

Pappas was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing District 65B from 1985 to 1991.

Minnesota Senate

Pappas was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1990 and has been re-elected in every subsequent election since then. She has served on the Capital Investment, Commerce, Finance, Rules and Administration, and State and Local Government committees. She was chair of the Higher Education Committee from 2007 to 2011 and chair of the Education Committee from 2001 to 2003. She served as president pro tempore from 2003 to 2007.
After the DFL regained a majority in the 2012 election, Pappas was elected by her caucus to serve as President of the Minnesota Senate, starting in January 2013.

1997 Saint Paul mayoral campaign

Pappas ran an unsuccessful campaign for mayor of Saint Paul against incumbent Norm Coleman in 1997.

Personal life

Pappas is married to Neal Gosman. They have three daughters and 28 grandchildren.