Leon Lillie
{{short description|American politician}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name=Leon Lillie
| image=Leon Lillie.jpg
| state_house=Minnesota
| district=44B
| constituency=44B (2023-present)
43B (2013-2022)
55A (2005–2012)
| term_start=January 4, 2005
| term_end=
| preceded=Scott Wasiluk
| succeeded=
| party=Democratic (DFL)
| birth_date={{birth year and age|1961|6}}
| birth_place=
| death_date=
| death_place=
| education=University of Nottingham
Luther College (B.A.)
| occupation={{hlist|Airline employee|Legislator}}
| spouse=Missy
| children=3
| residence=North St. Paul, Minnesota
| website = {{URL|https://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/profile/15553|Government website}}
}}
Leon Michael Lillie (born June 1961) is an American politician serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2005. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Lillie represents District 44B in the Twin Cities metropolitan area, which includes the cities of Oakdale, North St. Paul, and Maplewood and parts of Ramsey and Washington Counties.{{cite web|url=http://www.leg.state.mn.us/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=12269 |title=Minnesota Legislators Past & Present – Legislator Record – Lillie, Leon M |publisher=Leg.state.mn.us |access-date=July 20, 2010}}{{Cite web |title=Rep. Leon Lillie (44B) - Minnesota House of Representatives |url=https://www.house.mn.gov/members/profile/12269 |access-date=2023-04-22 |website=www.house.mn.gov}}
Early life, education and career
Lillie graduated from North High School in North Saint Paul, then attended the University of Nottingham in Nottingham, England, and Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, earning his B.S. in political science.
Lillie served on the North Saint Paul City Council from 1995 to 2004. When elected, he worked as a baggage handler and ramp agent for Northwest Airlines.
Minnesota House of Representatives
Lillie was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2004 and has been reelected every two years since. He defeated two-term DFL incumbent Scott Wasiluk in a DFL primary after Wasiluk was caught on video drinking alcohol in his Capitol office.
Since 2019, Lillie has chaired the Legacy Finance Division, which oversees the allocation of proceeds from a state sales tax increase passed in 2008. Those funds are designated to protect drinking water and wildlife habitat and to preserve arts and cultural heritage.{{Cite web |title=About the Funds |url=https://www.legacy.mn.gov/about-funds |access-date=2023-02-02 |website=Minnesota's Legacy |language=en}} Lillie also sits on the Capital Investment, Rules and Legislative Administration, and Ways and Means Committees. He served as vice chair of the Commerce and Labor Committee from 2009 to 2010 and as an assistant majority leader for the House DFL caucus from 2013 to 2014.
= Legacy amendment funds =
Lillie has served on the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, which makes recommendations to the legislature on how Legacy Funds should be spent.{{Cite web |last=Dunbar |first=Elizabeth |date=February 10, 2017 |title=Retired from House, McNamara still has hand on Legacy |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/02/10/retired-from-house-mcnamara-still-has-hand-on-legacy |access-date=2023-04-22 |website=MPR News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Dennie |date=January 17, 2019 |title=Habitat funding amendment was a bet that paid |url=https://www.startribune.com/anderson-habitat-funding-amendent-was-a-bet-that-paid/504500602/ |access-date=2023-04-22 |website=Star Tribune}} In 2022, he authored legislation to spend $159 million from the Legacy Fund to restore and enhance natural areas. Lillie called the bill, which was the result of negotiations with the Republican Senate, "a little bit disappointing" and called for further investments in subsequent years.{{Cite web |last=Van Berkel |first=Jessie |date=May 28, 2022 |title=Minnesota legislators dedicate $159M to outdoor areas |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-legislators-dedicate-159m-to-outdoor-areas/600177332/ |access-date=2023-04-22 |website=Star Tribune}}
= Labor and union contracts =
Lillie was a member of the Subcommittee on Employee Relations. In 2012, he criticized Republican members who voted to reject contracts for state employees containing a two percent pay raise.{{Cite web |last=Aslanian |first=Sasha |date=August 30, 2012 |title=GOP-led panel rejects contracts for 27K Minn. public workers |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2012/08/30/gop-led-panel-rejects-contracts-for-27k-minn-public-workers |access-date=2023-04-22 |website=MPR News |language=en}} In 2017, he voted to accept union contracts with MAPE and AFSCME, but was outvoted by Republicans.{{Cite web |last=Pheifer |first=Pat |date=October 6, 2017 |title=Party-line vote recommends Minnesota Legislature rejects union contracts with 30,000 state workers |url=https://www.startribune.com/subcommittee-rejects-state-unions-contracts/449681273/ |access-date=2023-04-22 |website=Star Tribune}} Lillie spoke out against Republican plans to cut legislative staff in 2015, calling it "really not Minnesotan", and has opposed efforts to make union dues voluntary.{{Cite web |last=Pugmire |first=Tim |date=April 15, 2015 |title=House Republicans want to slash state govt. spending |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/04/15/house-bill |access-date=2023-04-22 |website=MPR News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Bakst |first=Brian |date=February 22, 2018 |title=MN Legislature closes book on Dayton veto fight, approves funds |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2018/02/22/mn-legislature-closes-book-on-dayton-veto-fight-approves-funds |access-date=2023-04-22 |website=MPR News |language=en}} In 2020, he supported state workers' union contracts that included what he called "reasonable" salary increases.{{Cite web |last=Pugmire |first=Tim |date=May 12, 2020 |title=State workers may lose pay raise as economy tanks |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/05/12/state-workers-may-lose-pay-raise-as-economy-tanks |access-date=2023-04-22 |website=MPR News |language=en}}
= Other political positions =
Lillie co-authored legislation to build a new Minnesota Vikings stadium, to be paid for in part by a local sales tax.{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Tim |date=April 8, 2011 |title=Lawmakers submit bill for new Vikings stadium |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2011/04/08/vikings-stadium-bill |access-date=2023-04-22 |website=MPR News |language=en}} He voted for the final bill authorizing construction of the stadium.{{Cite web |last=Nehil |first=Tom |last2=Palazzolo |first2=Alan |date=2012-05-08 |title=House Stadium bill: How they voted |url=https://www.minnpost.com/data/2012/05/house-stadium-bill-how-they-voted/ |access-date=2023-04-22 |website=MinnPost |language=en-US}}
Electoral history
{{Election box begin no change
| title = 2004 Minnesota State House - District 55A{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=42&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=463&show=Go|title=2004 Results for State Representative District 55A|access-date=February 22, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Leon Lillie
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| votes = 10,849
| percentage = 54.79
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Jan Steiner
| party = Republican Party of Minnesota
| votes = 7,673
| percentage = 38.75
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Brian D. Balfanz
| party = Independence Party of Minnesota
| votes = 1,250
| percentage = 6.31
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
| votes = 28
| percentage = 0.14
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 19,800
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = 2006 Minnesota State House - District 55A{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=55&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=463&show=Go|title=2006 Results for State Representative District 55A|access-date=February 22, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Leon Lillie (incumbent)
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| votes = 10,123
| percentage = 66.58
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Tim Kinley
| party = Republican Party of Minnesota
| votes = 5,059
| percentage = 33.27
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
| votes = 23
| percentage = 0.15
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 15,205
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = 2008 Minnesota State House - District 55A{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=63&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=463&show=Go|title=2004 Results for State Representative District 55A|access-date=February 22, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Leon Lillie (incumbent)
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| votes = 11,749
| percentage = 59.96
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Christine Jacobson
| party = Republican Party of Minnesota
| votes = 5,961
| percentage = 30.42
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Bob Zick
| party = Independence Party of Minnesota
| votes = 1,862
| percentage = 9.50
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
| votes = 23
| percentage = 0.12
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 19,595
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = 2010 Minnesota State House - District 55A{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=69&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=463&show=Go|title=2010 Results for State Representative District 55A|access-date=February 22, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Leon Lillie (incumbent)
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| votes = 7,810
| percentage = 56.24
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Nathan M. Hansen
| party = Republican Party of Minnesota
| votes = 5,136
| percentage = 36.98
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Joseph Polencheck
| party = Independence Party of Minnesota
| votes = 930
| percentage = 6.70
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
| votes = 12
| percentage = 0.09
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 13,888
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = 2012 Minnesota State House - District 43B{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=1&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=440&show=Go|title=2012 Results for State Representative District 43B|access-date=February 22, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Leon Lillie (incumbent)
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| votes = 12,445
| percentage = 60.42
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Kevin J. Klein
| party = Republican Party of Minnesota
| votes = 8,111
| percentage = 39.38
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
| votes = 40
| percentage = 0.19
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 20,596
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = 2014 Minnesota State House - District 43B{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=20&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=440&show=Go|title=2014 Results for State Representative District 43B|access-date=February 22, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Leon Lillie (incumbent)
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| votes = 7,891
| percentage = 58.08
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Justice B. Whitethorn
| party = Republican Party of Minnesota
| votes = 5,672
| percentage = 41.75
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
| votes = 23
| percentage = 0.17
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 13,586
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = 2016 Minnesota State House - District 43B{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=100&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=440&show=Go|title=2016 Results for State Representative District 43B|access-date=February 22, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Leon Lillie (incumbent)
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| votes = 12,017
| percentage = 59.52
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Nathan Hansen
| party = Republican Party of Minnesota
| votes = 8,123
| percentage = 40.23
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
| votes = 49
| percentage = 0.24
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 20,189
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = 2018 Minnesota State House - District 43B{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=115&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=440&show=Go|title=2018 Results for State Representative District 43B|access-date=February 22, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Leon Lillie (incumbent)
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| votes = 11,253
| percentage = 62.31
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Rachael Bucholz
| party = Republican Party of Minnesota
| votes = 6,788
| percentage = 37.59
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
| votes = 19
| percentage = 0.11
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 18,060
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = 2020 Minnesota State House - District 43B{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=136&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=440&show=Go|title=2020 Results for State Representative District 43B|access-date=February 22, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Leon Lillie (incumbent)
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| votes = 12,651
| percentage = 56.70
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Jordan Herzog
| party = Republican Party of Minnesota
| votes = 8,330
| percentage = 37.33
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
| candidate = Antonio Nerios
| party = Veterans Party - Minnesota
| votes = 1,309
| percentage = 5.87
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
| votes = 22
| percentage = 0.10
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 22,312
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box begin no change
| title = 2022 Minnesota State House - District 44B{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.sos.state.mn.us/results/Index?ErsElectionId=149&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=442&show=Go|title=2022 Results for State Representative District 44B|access-date=February 22, 2023|website=Minnesota Secretary of State}}
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Leon Lillie (incumbent)
| party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
| votes = 9,197
| percentage = 56.60
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = William Johnston
| party = Republican Party of Minnesota
| votes = 6,260
| percentage = 38.52
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = TJ Hawthorne
| party = Libertarian Party of Minnesota
| votes = 785
| percentage = 4.83
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link no change
| votes = 8
| percentage = 0.05
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 16,250
| percentage = 100.0
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no change
| winner = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party
}}
{{Election box end}}
Personal life
Lillie is married and has three children. His brother, Ted Lillie, a Republican, was a member of the Minnesota Senate from 2011 to 2012. He is Lutheran.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{MN-legdb|12269}}
- [https://www.house.mn.gov/members/profile/12269 Official House of Representatives website]
{{Minnesota House of Representatives}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lillie, Leon}}
Category:People from North St. Paul, Minnesota
Category:Democratic Party members of the Minnesota House of Representatives
Category:Luther College (Iowa) alumni
Category:Alumni of the University of Nottingham