Bobby Joe Champion
Minnesota State Senator, District 59 since 2012. Ran in 6 elections between 2008 and 2022, winning 6. Re-elected in 2026. Next on the ballot in 2030.
Minnesota State Senator, District 59Born 1963Lawyer
- In office
- 14 yrs
- Since 2012
- Bills became law
- 1
- 81 sponsored, 2025–2026 session
- Votes missed
- 0.0%
- Chamber median 0.0%
- With party
- 100%
- On votes splitting the parties
- Last margin
- +96.7
- Won 2026
- Next election
- 2030
- Nov 5, 2030
Source: Wikidata, congress-legislators and Open States; 99chambers legislative recordsUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 1:52 PM ET
Committees
As of 2026-10.
- Jobs and Economic Development · chair
- Finance
- Rules and Administration
Source: Open States committeesUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 9:43 AM ET
Legislation
Appropriations-Omnibus Bills · Became law Jun 2025
Source: Open States billsUpdated Nov 6, 2026, 4:22 PM ET
Voting record
Where Champion sits in the Minnesota State Senate
Champion is closer to the center than 3% of the chamber's Democrats.
Closest: Sandy Pappas, Bonnie Westlin, Tou Xiong
Source: 99chambers roll-call scalingUpdated Nov 6, 2026, 4:53 PM ET
With Champion’s party
- Votes with the chamber's Democrats100%
- Cosponsorships of the other party's bills1%
Black tick: the average of Democrats in the Minnesota State Senate.
Source: 99chambers legislative scores from roll calls and cosponsorships
Key votes
Votes chosen for their effect, not their side: Champion’s vote, each party’s majority, and the result. An orange vote differs from most Democrats.
| Date | Bill | Champion | Dem. majority | Rep. majority | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 17, 2026 | HF 2484: Bonding bill; spending authorized to acquire and better land and buildings and for other… | Yes | Yes | No | Passed 50–17 |
| May 17, 2026 | SF 2077: Omnibus Outdoor Heritage Fund, Legacy and Lands bill | Yes | Yes | No | Passed 41–26 |
| May 17, 2026 | SF 4612: Omnibus Health and Human Services supplemental appropriations | Yes | Yes | No | Passed 35–32 |
| May 17, 2026 | SF 4401: Omnibus Cannabis bill | Yes | Yes | No | Passed 35–32 |
| May 16, 2026 | HF 3900: Permanent school fund investment, management, and distribution policy modified; and… | Yes | Yes | No | Passed 38–29 |
Source: 99chambers key votes from Congress.gov, Voteview and Open States roll calls
Career
Offices held, and every time Champion was on a ballot. Filled marks are general elections won; hollow marks are primaries; an orange outline is a loss.
Source: 99chambers results archive (MEDSL, Klarner, state election offices)
Elections
Margin against the seat’s presidential baseline: how the seat voted for president in the same or nearest year.
| Year | Race | Result | Margin | Seat | +/− |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Minnesota State Senate, District 59 | Won | D+96.7 | D+68.5 | +28.2 |
| 2022 | Minnesota State Senate, District 59 | Won | — | D+71.8 | — |
| 2020 | Minnesota State Senate, District 59 | Won | D+64.3 | D+65.2 | −0.9 |
| 2016 | Minnesota State Senate, District 59 | Won | D+55.6 | D+65.2 | −9.6 |
| 2012 | Minnesota State Senate, District 59 | Won | D+64.5 | — | — |
| 2010 | Minnesota House of Representatives, HD-58B | Won | D+61.9 | — | — |
| 2008 | Minnesota House of Representatives, HD-58B | Won | D+67.8 | — | — |
Source: 99chambers results archive; 2026: Minnesota Secretary of State (unofficial)Updated Nov 8, 2026, 7:01 PM ET
Campaign money, 2025–26
- Raised
- $100.8K
- Spent
- $84.7K
- Cash
- $85.7K
Source: Minnesota Campaign Finance Board filings through Oct 19, 2026Updated Nov 1, 2026, 3:53 AM ET
Campaign committees
Open committees can still raise and spend money.
| Champion, Bobby Joe Senate Committee State | Active |
Source: Minnesota Campaign Finance Board filings through Oct 19, 2026Updated Nov 1, 2026, 3:53 AM ET
Seats Champion has held
- Minnesota State Senate, District 59 · since 2012
- Minnesota House of Representatives, District 58B · 2008–2012
Source: 99chambers results archive
Who Champion has run against
- Write-In (I) · 2026 election, won
- Paul Anderson (R) · 2020 election, won
- Jennifer Carnahan (R) · 2016 election, won
- Jim Lilly (R) · 2012 election, won
- Gary J. Mazzotta (R) · 2010 election, won
- Yoman Brunson (R) · 2008 election, won
Source: 99chambers results archive; 2026: Minnesota Secretary of State (unofficial)
How we know Champion
One person, matched across every source we use.
- Open States ocd-person/c7436be4-472a-4d5e-82f5-f46359395d3a
- Wikidata Q4935188
Source: Identity links: Wikidata, congress-legislators, Open States, FECUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 1:52 PM ET