David M. Jennings | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce | |
| In office January 8, 1999 – August 6, 1999 | |
| 50th Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives | |
| In office January 8, 1985 – January 5, 1987 | |
| Preceded by | Harry A. Sieben. Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Fred Norton |
| Minnesota State Representative from Martin and Watonwan Counties | |
| In office January 3, 1979 – January 5, 1987 | |
| Preceded by | Darrel Peterson |
| Succeeded by | Gene Hugoson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1948-12-17)December 17, 1948 Truman, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Died | May 21, 2023(2023-05-21) (aged 74) |
| Party | Independent-Republican |
| Alma mater | Minnesota State University, Mankato |
| Profession | Legislator,school superintendent |
David M. Jennings (December 17, 1948 – May 21, 2023) was an American politician from the state ofMinnesota. A member of theRepublican Party, he served as Speaker of theMinnesota House of Representatives, and thesuperintendent of Eastern Carver County School District 112, based inChaska.[1][2]
Jennings served in theUnited States Marine Corps for five years and was honorably discharged with the rank of staff-sergeant in December 1972. He received a B.S. degree inpolitical science,magna cum laude, fromMinnesota State University, Mankato in 1976. He worked in small construction and as a Congressional staff aide until he was first elected to theMinnesota House of Representatives in 1978.[1]
Jennings rose quickly, becomingminority leader in February 1982. He served in that role until theIndependent-Republicans gained a majority in the 1984 elections. He becameSpeaker of the House in January 1985, a position he held for two years until his departure from the legislature.[1]
Beginning in 1990, Jennings was employed as a corporate executive for Schwan's Food Co., based in Marshall, Minnesota, leaving there in December 1998.
In 1999, Jennings served briefly as Minnesota's Commissioner of Commerce underGovernor Jesse Ventura, after which he became CEO of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce. In January 2002, Jennings became Chief Operating Officer of the Minneapolis Public Schools and later served as interimsuperintendent of theMinneapolis school district from October 2003 to June 2004. He was considered for permanent appointment, but withdrew from consideration after the appointment process was criticized. He went on to serve as deputy director of operations for theMinnesota Historical Society for one year, before accepting a permanent appointment as superintendent of schools for the Eastern Carver County School District, based inChaska in July 2005.[2]
Jennings was married and had one son and stepson. He died on May 21, 2023, at the age of 74.[3]
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Don Koenig | Republican nominee forMinnesota Secretary of State 1990 | Succeeded by Richard Kimbler |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives 1985–1987 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by Glen Sherwood | Minnesota House Minority Leader 1982–1985 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by Douglas W. Carlson | State Representative from Minnesota District 29A 1983–1987 | Succeeded by Mark J. Piepho |
| Preceded by Darrell L. Peterson | State Representative from Minnesota District 27B 1979–1983 | Succeeded by |
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| International | |
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| National | |
