Dan Severson

Dan Severson
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from the 14A district
In office January 7, 2003 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by	Steve Dehler
Succeeded by	Tim O'Driscoll
Personal details
Born	Daniel Mark Severson August 31, 1954 (1954-08-31) (age 57) Mora, Minnesota, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Cathy Jo
Children	2
Residence	Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, U.S.
Alma mater	St. Cloud State University
Profession	Business owner Fighter pilot Politician Veteran
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1978 – 2000
Rank	Commander

Daniel Mark "Dan" Severson ^[1] (born August 31, 1954) is an American politician. He is a former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives who represented District 14A, which includes portions of Benton and Stearns counties in the north central part of the state. He was also a candidate for Minnesota Secretary of State in 2010. A Republican, he is a retired U.S. Navy fighter pilot, business owner and substitute teacher.^[2]

Early life

Severson graduated from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud in 1979 with a B.A. in Physics. He was a Navy fighter pilot, officer and commander from 1978 to 2000.^[3]

Military Career

Severson enlisted in the Navy in 1978 at the age of 21. Severson was in the Navy for 22 years, most of those years as a Strike-Fighter Pilot. Severson flew both the A-7 and FA-18 Hornet Strike Fighter during his career. Severson is a member of the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School also know as TOPGUN. Severson was stationed in Asia, Southern California, and Washington, D.C. During his time as a Naval Pilot, Severson's name was misread as Doc Severinson, earning him the call sign "Doc".^[4]

Minnesota legislature

Elections

Severson was first elected in 2002, and was re-elected in 2004, 2006, and 2008. Since he ran for Secretary of State in 2010, he did not seek re-election to the House.

Committee assignments

Severson was a member of the House Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee for the Veterans Affairs Division, and the Finance subcommittees for the Housing Finance and Policy and Public Health Finance Division, the Public Safety Finance Division, and the Transportation Finance and Policy Division. He also served as a minority whip.^[5]

2010 statewide run

In October 2009, Severson announced that he had filed the paperwork to run for Minnesota Secretary of State, with the intent being to seek the Republican Party's endorsement for his candidacy at their 2010 state convention.^[6] He received the party's endorsement on April 29, 2010, and will challenge incumbent Secretary of State Mark Ritchie in the November 2010 general election.^[7] In 2010, Severson received the Republican party's endorsement.^[8]

In his filing for Secretary of State, Severson sought to be listed using his Navy pilot call name Dan "Doc" Severson, some thought it to be an allusion to former Tonight Show band leader Doc Severinsen. Severson was challenged because he had not previously appeared on the ballot with the nickname "Doc." Severson said the nickname had been his call sign while a Naval pilot. He was later allowed to use the name after a court approval.^[9]

Severson ran for Secretary of State on the contention that there was widespread fraud in the recount of the 2008 Senate election and a requirement that voters show a Photo ID to vote.^[10] He lost to incumbent Secretary of State Ritchie 45% to 49% in the November 2, 2010, general election.^[11]

2012 U.S. Senate run

Main article: United States Senate election in Minnesota, 2012

On May 16, 2011, Severson announced that he will seek the Republican party's endorsement for the 2012 U.S. Senate race.^[12]

References

1. ^ "Dan Severson for Senate Campaign Page". http://danseverson.com/. Retrieved 2011-08-10. 
2. ^ "Minnesota Legislators Past & Present - Legislator Record - Severson, Daniel "Dan"". Leg.state.mn.us. http://www.leg.state.mn.us/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=10785. Retrieved 2011-06-27. 
3. ^ "Project Vote Smart". Votesmart.org. http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=38901. Retrieved 2011-06-27. 
4. ^ "Rochester, MN". Postbulletin.com. http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=16&a=460148. Retrieved 2011-06-27. 
5. ^ "Minnesota Legislators Past & Present - Legislator Record - Severson, Daniel "Dan"". House.leg.state.mn.us. http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/members.asp?id=10785. Retrieved 2011-06-27. 
6. ^ [1]^{[dead link]}
7. ^ http://www.twincities.com/ci_14987433
8. ^ http://www.rogueonminnesota.org/news/minnesota-gop-convention-day-1-results/
9. ^ Severson's use of 'Doc' nickname on ballot challenged^{[dead link]}
10. ^ "Issues: Dan "Doc" Severson for Minnesota Secretary of State". Danseverson.com. http://danseverson.com/issues.html. Retrieved 2011-06-27. 
11. ^ "Election Reporting". Electionresults.sos.state.mn.us. http://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/20101102/ElecRslts.asp?M=S&Races=0332. Retrieved 2011-06-27. 
12. ^ Washington Post - May 16, 2011: "Former Minn. GOP state Rep. Severson to challenge Democratic US Sen. Klobuchar in 2012"

External links

• Dan Severson at Minnesota Legislators Past & Present
• Rep. Severson Web Page
• Minnesota Public Radio Votetracker: Rep. Dan Severson
• Project Votesmart - Rep. Dan Severson Profile
• "Dan Severson: a political novice who's catching on fast" (Minneapolis Star-Tribune article - January 4, 2003)
• Dan Severson Campaign Web Site
• Secretary of State Candidate Dan Severson: Voter Fraud Charges Underscore Ritchie’s Failure
• Platform for Reform First and most importantly implement Photo ID.
• Statewide Results for Secretary of State - 2010.

Persondata
Name	Severson, Dan
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	August 31, 1954
Place of birth	Mora, Minnesota, U.S.
Date of death
Place of death