Gunther, Bob
House 1995-2002 (District 26A); House 2003-2012 (District 24A); House 2013-2020 (District 23A)
Party when first elected: Republican
Counties Served:
Blue Earth, Faribault, Jackson, Martin, Watonwan
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Date of Birth:
7/12/1943
Birth Place:
Fairmont, Minnesota
Birth County:
Martin
Birth Country:
United States
Date of Death:
Gender:
Male
Religion:
Evangelical
Reported Minority: None Reported
Other Names:
City of Residence (when first elected):
Fairmont
Occupation (when first elected):
Business, Merchant
EDUCATION
Fairmont High School; Secondary;
St. Cloud State University; B.S.; Marketing
OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE
State Board/Commission/Council:
Minnesota Chicano Latino Affairs Council (Board of Directors);
[Dates Unknown]
[Appointed]
Military:
United States Navy (Vietnam War);
[Dates Unknown]
State Board/Commission/Council:
Minnesota Lessard Outdoor Heritage Council (Appointed by Minnesota House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher);
12/01/2008 to 2???
[Appointed]
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS
Spouse:
Nancy
Children:
One child: Elizabeth (daughter)
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
GENERAL NOTES
He did not seek reelection in 2020.
He was a member of Bethel Evangelical Free Church.
Religion provided by the Natural Resources Defense Council's State Directories 2005.
Body: House
District: 23A
Elected: 11/6/2018
Residence: Fairmont
Term of Office: 1/8/2019 to 1/4/2021
Counties Represented:
Blue Earth, Faribault, Jackson, Martin, Watonwan
Occupation: Retired
Party:
Republican
Committees:
-
Rules and Legislative Administration: Subcommittee on Legislative Process Reform
Minutes
-
Ways & Means: Greater Minnesota Jobs and Economic Development Finance Division
Minutes
-
Ways & Means: Housing Finance & Policy Division
Minutes
-
Ways & Means: Jobs and Economic Development Finance Division
Minutes
Body: House
District: 23A
Elected: 11/8/2016
Residence: Fairmont
Term of Office: 1/3/2017 to 1/7/2019
Counties Represented:
Blue Earth, Faribault, Jackson, Martin, Watonwan
Occupation: Business
Party:
Republican
Body: House
District: 23A
Elected: 11/4/2014
Residence: Fairmont
Term of Office: 1/6/2015 to 1/2/2017
Counties Represented:
Blue Earth, Faribault, Jackson, Martin, Watonwan
Occupation: Business
Party:
Republican
Committees:
-
Aging & Long-Term Care Policy
Minutes
-
Greater Minnesota Economic & Workforce Development Policy (Chair)
Minutes
-
Job Growth & Energy Affordability Policy & Finance
Minutes
-
Rules & Legislative Administration
Minutes
Body: House
District: 23A
Elected: 11/6/2012
Residence: Fairmont
Term of Office: 1/8/2013 to 1/5/2015
Counties Represented:
Blue Earth, Faribault, Jackson, Martin, Watonwan
Occupation: Business
Party:
Republican
Special Session Bills Authored: 2013 1st Sp.S. - Author
Committees:
-
Capital Investment
Minutes
-
Jobs and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Minutes
-
Ways and Means
Minutes
Body: House
District: 24A
Elected: 11/2/2010
Residence: Fairmont
Term of Office: 1/4/2011 to 1/7/2013
Counties Represented:
Faribault, Martin, Watonwan
Occupation: Business
Party:
Republican
Committees:
-
Jobs and Economic Development Finance (Chair)
Minutes
-
State Government Finance
Minutes
-
Ways and Means
Minutes
Leadership Position:
Assistant Majority Leader
Body: House
District: 24A
Elected: 11/4/2008
Residence: Fairmont
Term of Office: 1/6/2009 to 1/3/2011
Counties Represented:
Faribault, Martin, Watonwan
Occupation: Small Business Owner, Grocer
Party:
Republican
Special Session Bills Authored: 2010 2nd Sp.S. - Author
Committees:
-
Finance: Energy Finance and Policy Division
Minutes
-
Finance: Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division
Minutes
-
Finance: Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
Minutes
-
Rules and Legislative Administration
Minutes
Leadership Position:
Assistant Minority Leader
Body: House
District: 24A
Elected: 11/7/2006
Residence: Fairmont
Term of Office: 1/3/2007 to 1/5/2009
Counties Represented:
Faribault, Martin, Watonwan
Occupation: Family Business, Grocery Store Owner
Party:
Republican
Committees:
-
Commerce and Labor: Labor and Consumer Protection Division
Minutes
-
Finance: Education Finance and Economic Competitiveness Finance Division: Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division
Minutes
-
Finance: Energy Finance and Policy Division
Minutes
-
Finance: Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division
Minutes
-
Finance: Environment and Natural Resources Finance Division: Watersheds, Wetlands and Buffers
Minutes
-
Ways and Means
Minutes
Body: House
District: 24A
Elected: 11/2/2004
Residence: Fairmont
Term of Office: 1/4/2005 to 1/2/2007
Counties Represented:
Faribault, Martin, Watonwan
Occupation: Business
Party:
Republican
Committees:
-
Commerce and Financial Institutions
Minutes
-
Jobs and Economic Opportunity Policy and Finance (Chair)
Minutes
-
Regulated Industries
Minutes
-
Ways and Means
Minutes
Leadership Position:
Assistant Majority Leader
Body: House
District: 24A
Elected: 11/5/2002
Residence: Fairmont
Term of Office: 1/7/2003 to 1/3/2005
Counties Represented:
Faribault, Martin, Watonwan
Occupation: Business
Party:
Republican
Committees:
-
Commerce, Jobs, and Economic Development
Minutes
-
Commerce, Jobs, and Economic Development: Economic Development and Tourism Division
Minutes
-
Jobs and Economic Development Finance (Chair)
Minutes
-
Regulated Industries
Minutes
-
Ways and Means
Minutes
Body: House
District: 26A
Elected: 11/7/2000
Residence: Fairmont
Term of Office: 1/3/2001 to 1/6/2003
Counties Represented:
Blue Earth, Martin, Watonwan
Occupation: Business
Party:
Republican
Committees:
-
Commerce, Jobs, and Economic Development
Minutes
-
Crime Prevention
Minutes
-
Jobs and Economic Development Finance
Minutes
-
Regulated Industries
Minutes
Body: House
District: 26A
Elected: 11/3/1998
Residence: Fairmont
Term of Office: 1/5/1999 to 1/2/2001
Counties Represented:
Blue Earth, Martin, Watonwan
Occupation: Business
Party:
Republican
Body: House
District: 26A
Elected: 11/5/1996
Residence: Fairmont
Term of Office: 1/7/1997 to 1/4/1999
Counties Represented:
Blue Earth, Martin, Watonwan
Occupation: Business
Party:
Republican
Committees:
-
Agriculture
Minutes
-
Commerce, Tourism and Consumer Affairs
Minutes
-
Commerce, Tourism and Consumer Affairs: Business Regulation
Minutes
-
Economic Development and International Trade
-
Economic Development and International Trade: Economic Development
-
Economic Development and International Trade: Economic Development Finance Division
-
Economic Development and International Trade: Economic Development Finance Division: Government Efficiency and Reform (Chair)
Body: House
District: 26A
Elected: 8/1/1995
Residence: Fairmont
Term of Office: 8/1/1995 to 1/6/1997
(Special Election)
Counties Represented:
Blue Earth, Martin, Watonwan
Occupation: Business, Merchant
Party:
Republican
Committees:
Session Notes:
His official term start date is uncertain due to the special election. The date listed is the special election date. He won the seat vacated by Gene Hugoson.
Session Interviews
Session Interview
(Video) 2016 House Interview
Session Interview
(Video) 2006 House Interview
Video
2020 Departing House Member Speeches
(Video) 2020
District Files
District File - 2000 District 26A
District File - 2002 District 26A
District File - 2003 District 24A
District File - 2004 District 24A
District File - 2005 District 24A
District File - 2006 District 24A
District File - 2007 District 24A
District File - 2008 District 24A
District File - 2009 District 24A
These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.
The Minnesota Legislative Reference Library has collected newspaper articles on legislators since 1973. They are available in the Library.