Bill Luther

Bill Luther
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Minnesota's 6th district
In office
January 3, 1995 – January 3, 2003
Preceded by Rod Grams
Succeeded by Mark Kennedy
Member of the Minnesota Senate
from the 47th district
45th (1977–1983)
In office
January 4, 1977  January 1, 1995
Preceded by Al Kowalczyk
Succeeded by Don Kramer
Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
In office
1975–1976
Personal details
Born (1945-06-27) June 27, 1945
Fergus Falls, Minnesota
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Darlene Luther
Religion Roman Catholic

William Paul "Bill" Luther (born June 27, 1945) is an American politician. Luther was a Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) member of the United States House of Representatives representing Minnesota's 6th congressional district from January 3, 1995, to January 3, 2003, serving in the 104th, 105th, 106th, and 107th congresses,

Luther was born in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and was educated at the University of Minnesota, receiving a Bachelor of Science in 1967 and a Juris Doctor from the Law School in 1970. Before entering politics, he worked first as an attorney and later as a prosecutor for the Court of Appeals. He was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 1975 to 1976 and the Minnesota Senate from 1977 to 1994. During his career as a state legislator and a congressman, Luther gained an image as a moderate Democrat.

After the 2000 census, Minnesota's congressional map was radically altered, even though the state didn't gain or lose any districts. Luther's 6th District in the northern Twin Cities suburbs was pushed slightly north and made significantly more Republican. After some consideration, Luther opted to run in the newly created 2nd District in the southern suburbs, which contained about 39 percent of his former territory. He faced a rematch against Republican John Kline, his opponent in 1998 and 2000.

During the campaign, Luther came under fire when one of his supporters, Sam Garst, filed for the race under the banner of the "No New Taxes Party." This was done in retaliation for an ad the National Republican Congressional Committee ran in support of Kline that accused Luther of being soft on crime. Luther subsequently admitted that his campaign knew about Garst's false flag campaign.[1] Luther never really recovered and was soundly defeated, taking 42 percent of the vote.

In 2006, Luther entered the DFL Party primary for the office of Minnesota Attorney General after endorsed candidate Matt Entenza withdrew from the race. He lost the primary to Lori Swanson.

Electoral history

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress website http://bioguide.congress.gov.

External links

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Rod Grams
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Minnesota's 6th congressional district

1995–2003
Succeeded by
Mark Kennedy
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