Pat Garofalo
From Ballotpedia - Reading time: 21 min
2005 - Present
2023
16
Pat Garofalo (Republican Party) is a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing District 58B. He assumed office in 2005. His current term ends on January 3, 2023.
Garofalo (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives to represent District 58B. He won in the general election on November 3, 2020.
Contents
Biography[edit]
Garofalo earned his B.S. in Law Enforcement from Minnesota State University - Mankato. His professional experience includes working as a Network Engineer with the Allianz Life Insurance Company.[1]
Committee assignments[edit]
2021-2022
Garofalo was assigned to the following committees:
- House Redistricting Committee
- House Taxes Committee
- Ways and Means Committee, Republican Lead
2019-2020
Garofalo was assigned to the following committees:
- Commerce Committee
- Rules and Legislative Administration Committee
- Ways and Means Committee, Republican Lead
2017 legislative session[edit]
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:| Minnesota committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Job Growth and Energy Affordability, Chair |
| • Taxes |
| • Ways and Means |
2015 legislative session[edit]
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Garofalo served on the following committees:
| Minnesota committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Job Growth and Energy Affordability Policy and Finance, Chair |
| • Greater Minnesota Economic and Workforce Development Policy |
| • Rules and Legislative Administration |
| • Taxes |
| • Ways and Means |
2013-2014[edit]
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Garofalo served on the following committees:
| Minnesota committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Energy Policy, Republican-Lead |
| • Property and Local Tax Division |
| • Taxes |
Sponsored legislation[edit]
The following table lists bills sponsored by this legislator. Bills are monitored by BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills sponsored by this person, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections[edit]
2020[edit]
See also: Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 58B
Incumbent Pat Garofalo defeated Sara Wolf in the general election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 58B on November 3, 2020.
Candidate |
% |
Votes |
||
| ✔ |
|
Pat Garofalo (R) |
62.0
|
15,220 |
|
|
Sara Wolf (D) |
38.0
|
9,328 | |
| Other/Write-in votes |
0.1
|
19 | ||
|
Total votes: 24,567 | |||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
||||
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Sara Wolf advanced from the Democratic primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 58B.
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Pat Garofalo advanced from the Republican primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 58B.
Campaign finance[edit]
2018[edit]
General election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 58B
Incumbent Pat Garofalo defeated Marla Vagts in the general election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 58B on November 6, 2018.
Candidate |
% |
Votes |
||
| ✔ |
|
Pat Garofalo (R) |
58.8
|
11,549 |
|
|
Marla Vagts (D) |
41.1
|
8,060 | |
| Other/Write-in votes |
0.1
|
20 | ||
|
Total votes: 19,629 (100.00% precincts reporting) |
|||
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||||
Democratic primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 58B
Marla Vagts advanced from the Democratic primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 58B on August 14, 2018.
Candidate |
||
| ✔ |
|
Marla Vagts |
|
||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
||||
Republican primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 58B
Incumbent Pat Garofalo advanced from the Republican primary for Minnesota House of Representatives District 58B on August 14, 2018.
Candidate |
||
| ✔ |
|
Pat Garofalo |
|
||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. |
||||
2016[edit]
Elections for the Minnesota House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 9, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was May 31, 2016.
Incumbent Pat Garofalo defeated Marla Vagts in the Minnesota House of Representatives District 58B general election.[2][3]| Minnesota House of Representatives, District 58B General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Pat Garofalo Incumbent |
64.87% | 13,926 | |
| Democratic | Marla Vagts | 35.13% | 7,542 | |
| Total Votes | 21,468 | |||
| Source: Minnesota Secretary of State | ||||
Marla Vagts ran unopposed in the Minnesota House of Representatives District 58B Democratic primary.[4][5]
| Minnesota House of Representatives, District 58B Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Marla Vagts (unopposed) | |
Incumbent Pat Garofalo ran unopposed in the Minnesota House of Representatives District 58B Republican primary.[4][5]
| Minnesota House of Representatives, District 58B Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Pat Garofalo Incumbent (unopposed) | |
2014[edit]
Elections for the Minnesota House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election was held on August 12, 2014, and a general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 3, 2014. Marla Vagts was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Incumbent Pat Garofalo was unopposed in the Republican primary. Garofalo defeated Vagts in the general election.[6][7][8]
| Minnesota House of Representatives, District 58B General Election, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Pat Garofalo Incumbent |
63.9% | 8,878 | |
| Democratic | Marla Vagts | 36% | 5,008 | |
| Write-in | Write-in | 0.1% | 18 | |
| Total Votes | 13,904 | |||
2012[edit]
Garofalo won re-election in the 2012 election for Minnesota House of Representatives District 58B. He was unopposed in the Republican primary on August 14 and defeated Jim Arlt (D) in the general election on November 6, 2012.[9]
| Minnesota House of Representatives, District 58B, General Election, 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Pat Garofalo Incumbent |
59.5% | 12,520 | |
| Democratic | Jim Arlt | 40.5% | 8,512 | |
| Total Votes | 21,032 | |||
2010[edit]
Garofalo won re-election to the District 36B seat in 2010. He had no primary opposition. He defeated Sigrid Iversen (DFL) in the general election on November 2, 2010.[10]
| Minnesota House of Representatives, District 36B (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Sigrid Iversen (DFL) | 6,381 | 34.1% | ||
| Pat Garofalo (R)
|
12,317 | 65.81% | ||
| Write-In | 17 | 0.09% | ||
2008[edit]
On November 4, 2008, Garofalo won election to the District 36B Seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives, defeating Bev Topp.[11]
Garofalo raised $54,789 for his campaign.[12]
| Minnesota House of Representatives, District 36B (2008) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Pat Garofalo (R)
|
14,235 | 56.01% | ||
| Bev Topp (DFL) | 11,144 | 43.85% | ||
| Write-In | 36 | 0.14% | ||
Campaign themes[edit]
2020[edit]
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Pat Garofalo did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2012[edit]
Garofalo's website highlighted the following campaign themes:[13]
Education
- Excerpt: "Representative Garofalo supports local control of our schools and has worked to allow Minnesota to opt out of the No Child Left Behind mandate."
Energy
- Excerpt: "We must keep our energy affordable even as we work to protect the environment."
Environment
- Excerpt: "Representative Garofalo voted for Minnesota's nation leading renewable energy bill. Under this legislation, 25% of Minnesota's energy will come from renewable sources by 2025."
Abortion
- Excerpt: "A society is best judged by how it treats its most vulnerable. Representative Garofalo's voting record shows a commitment to protecting unborn children."
Protecting Our Heritage and Our Rights
- Excerpt: "Representative Garofalo has voted for and will continue to support legislation which protects our 2nd amendment rights."
Campaign donors[edit]
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
| Pat Garofalo campaign contribution history | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Office | Result | Contributions |
| 2018 | Minnesota House of Representatives District 58B | ✔ | $44,147 |
| 2016 | Minnesota House of Representatives, District 58b | ✔ | $49,558 |
| 2014 | Minnesota House of Representatives, District 58b | ✔ | $76,211 |
| 2012 | Minnesota State House, District 58B | ✔ | $35,925 |
| 2010 | Minnesota State House, District 36B | ✔ | $36,154 |
| 2008 | Minnesota State House, District 36B | ✔ | $54,789 |
| 2006 | Minnesota State House, District 36B | ✔ | $46,827 |
| 2004 | Minnesota State House, District 36B | ✔ | $26,363 |
| Grand total raised | $369,974 | ||
|
Source: Follow the Money |
|||
2018[edit]
| Minnesota House of Representatives District 58B 2018 election - Campaign Contributions | |
|---|---|
| Top individual contributors to Pat Garofalo's campaign in 2018 | |
| SWEEN, PAUL R | $1,000.00 |
| HODNIK, AL | $600.00 |
| HASELOW, JUSTINE P | $500.00 |
| HASELOW, ROBERT E | $500.00 |
| JORGENSEN, JULIE | $500.00 |
| Total Raised in 2018 | $44,146.82 |
| Source: Follow the Money | |
2016[edit]
Garofalo won re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2016. During that election cycle, Garofalo raised a total of $49,558.| Minnesota House of Representatives 2016 election - campaign contributions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top contributors to Pat Garofalo's campaign in 2016 | ||||
| Public Fund | $4,766 | |||
| 58th Senate District Republican Party Of Minnesota | $1,500 | |||
| Minnesota Association Of Realtors | $1,000 | |||
| Haselow, Robert E | $1,000 | |||
| Molitor, Charles | $1,000 | |||
| Total raised in 2016 | $49,558 | |||
| Source: Follow the Money | ||||
2014[edit]
Garofalo won re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2014. During that election cycle, Garofalo raised a total of $76,211.| Minnesota House of Representatives 2014 election - Campaign Contributions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top contributors to Pat Garofalo's campaign in 2014 | ||||
| Public Fund | $4,757 | |||
| Johnson, Julie K House Dist. 54b Committee | $2,500 | |||
| Total Of Non-Itemized | $1,300 | |||
| Great River Energy | $1,000 | |||
| North Central States Regional Council Of Carpenters | $1,000 | |||
| Total Raised in 2014 | $76,211 | |||
| Source: Follow the Money | ||||
2012[edit]
Garofalo won re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2012. During that election cycle, Garofalo raised a total of $35,925.| Minnesota House of Representatives 2012 election - campaign contributions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top contributors to Pat Garofalo's campaign in 2012 | ||||
| Public Fund | $3,725 | |||
| 58th Senate District RPM | $1,200 | |||
| Mike Lemieur House Dist. 12B Committee | $500 | |||
| Teamsters Local 120 | $500 | |||
| North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters & Joiners | $500 | |||
| Total raised in 2012 | $35,925 | |||
| Source: Follow the Money | ||||
2010[edit]
Garofalo won re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2010. During that election cycle, Garofalo raised a total of $36,154.| Minnesota House of Representatives 2010 election - Campaign Contributions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top contributors to Pat Garofalo's campaign in 2010 | ||||
| Public Fund | $6,123 | |||
| Minneapolis Municipal Retirement Association | $500 | |||
| Teamsters Local 120 | $500 | |||
| Minnesota Telecommunication Alliance | $500 | |||
| 36th Senate District RPM | $500 | |||
| Total Raised in 2010 | $36,154 | |||
| Source: Follow the Money | ||||
2008[edit]
Garofalo won re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2008. During that election cycle, Garofalo raised a total of $54,789.| Minnesota House of Representatives 2008 election - Campaign Contributions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top contributors to Pat Garofalo's campaign in 2008 | ||||
| Public Fund | $8,046 | |||
| 36th Senate District Republican Party | $1,250 | |||
| Lockridge Grindal Nauen & Holstein | $500 | |||
| Minnesota Auto Dealers Association | $500 | |||
| Minnesota Telecommunication Alliance | $500 | |||
| Total Raised in 2008 | $54,789 | |||
| Source: Follow the Money | ||||
2006[edit]
Garofalo won re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2006. During that election cycle, Garofalo raised a total of $46,827.| Minnesota House of Representatives 2006 election - Campaign Contributions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top contributors to Pat Garofalo's campaign in 2006 | ||||
| Public Fund | $7,736 | |||
| 38th Senate District Republican Party of Minnesota | $900 | |||
| Citizens for Sensible Government Policy for Real Estate PAC | $500 | |||
| Road Building Contractors Association | $500 | |||
| Minnesota Associated Builders & Contractors | $500 | |||
| Total Raised in 2006 | $46,827 | |||
| Source: Follow the Money | ||||
2004[edit]
Garofalo won election to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2004. During that election cycle, Garofalo raised a total of $26,363.| Minnesota House of Representatives 2004 election - Campaign Contributions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top contributors to Pat Garofalo's campaign in 2004 | ||||
| Public Fund | $7,953 | |||
| Straetan Volunteer Committee | $1,500 | |||
| Steve Clark Volunteer Committee | $1,000 | |||
| 36th Senate District Republican Party of Minnesota | $750 | |||
| Committee of Automobile Retailers | $500 | |||
| Total Raised in 2004 | $26,363 | |||
| Source: Follow the Money | ||||
Scorecards[edit]
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Minnesota scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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|
In 2020, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from February 11 to May 17. Special sessions were convened: June 12 to June 19; July 13 to July 21; August 12; September 11; October 12 to October 15; and November 12.
|
2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2019, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from January 8 through May 20.
|
2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from February 20 through May 21.
|
2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from January 3 through May 22. The legislature held a special session from May 23 to May 26.
|
2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
|---|
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In 2016, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from March 8 through May 23.
|
2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
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In 2015, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from January 6 through May 18.
|
2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
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In 2014, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from February 25 to May 19.
|
2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
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In 2013, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from January 8 to May 20.
|
2012
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show]. |
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In 2012, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from January 24 to May 10.
|
2011
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2011, click [show]. |
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In 2011, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from January 4 to May 23.
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Noteworthy events[edit]
NBA tweet[edit]
On March 9, 2014, Garofalo posted the following on his Twitter account regarding the National Basketball Association:
| “ | Let's be honest, 70% of teams in NBA could fold tomorrow + nobody would notice a difference w/ possible exception of increase in streetcrime[14][15] | ” |
Public response to what quickly became a viral tweet was mostly negative, with many users calling Garofalo's statement racist. Garofalo responded to a query by the Star Tribune, saying that he was referring to what he called the "NBA's high arrest rate" and the league's drug-testing policy.[16] He then told Minneapolis TV station KARE that he was surprised by the backlash, arguing that his perception of a lawless "culture in all professional sports" was a criticism "that's been going on for decades."[17] The tweet garnered 600 retweets within two hours of its posting, increasing to more than 1,000 overnight.[18]
Shortly before noon the following day, Garofalo issued an apology through his office:
| “ | In the last 24 hours, I’ve had the opportunity to re-learn one of life’s lessons: whenever any of us are offering opinions, it is best to refer to people as individuals as opposed to groups. Last night, I publicly commented on the NBA and I sincerely apologize to those who I unfairly categorized. The NBA has many examples of players and owners who are role models for our communities and for our country. Those individuals did not deserve that criticism and I apologize. In addition, it’s been brought to my attention that I was mistaken and the NBA policy on drug enforcement is stronger than I previously believed. Again, I offer my sincere apologies for my comments.[19][15] | ” |
See also[edit]
2020 Elections
External links[edit]
|
Candidate Minnesota House of Representatives District 58B |
Officeholder Minnesota House of Representatives District 58B |
Personal |
Footnotes[edit]
- ↑ Project Vote Smart - Rep. Garofalo
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "Candidate Filing Search," accessed August 25, 2016
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "General election results, 2016," accessed December 19, 2016
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Minnesota Secretary of State, "Candidate Filings," accessed June 3, 2016
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Minnesota Secretary of State, "Minnesota State Primary: Tuesday, August 9, 2016," accessed August 9, 2016
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "State Canvassing Board Report," August 19, 2014
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "2014 State General Election Candidate Filings," accessed July 25, 2014
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "2014 Election Results," accessed November 4, 2014
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "2012 State General Election Candidate Filings," accessed June 18, 2012
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "2010 Election Results," accessed March 9, 2014
- ↑ Minnesota Secretary of State, "All Races by Legislative District," accessed April 23, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Garofalo, Pat," accessed March 9, 2014
- ↑ "patgarofalo," Official Campaign Website
- ↑ Twitter, post by @PatGarofalo, March 9, 2014
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Star Tribune, "Farmington legislator's NBA tweet causes stir," March 9, 2014
- ↑ KARE, "Minn. lawmaker gets attention for controversial tweet," March 9, 2014
- ↑ Associated Press, "Minnesota legislator’s NBA tweet called racist, prompts responses," March 10, 2014
- ↑ Minnesota House of Representatives, "Press Release - Statement from Rep. Pat Garofalo," March 10, 2014
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Bobby Joe Champion (D) |
Minnesota House of Representatives District 58B 2013- present |
Succeeded by NA |
| Preceded by - |
Minnesota House of Representatives District 36B 2005–2013 |
Succeeded by Melissa Hortman (DFL) |
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