Sandy Pappas

Sandra L. "Sandy" Pappas (born June 15, 1949) is an American politician who has been serving in the Minnesota Senate since 1991. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), she represents District 65, which includes parts of Saint Paul in Ramsey County. Pappas served as President of the Minnesota Senate from 2013 to 2019.

In 1997, Pappas ran as the DFL-endorsed candidate for mayor of Saint Paul, losing to incumbent Norm Coleman. Before her election to the Senate, she served three terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Pappas has been reelected in every election since, serving a total of 10 terms. She has served on the Capital Investment, Commerce, Finance, Rules and Administration, and State and Local Government Committees. She chaired the Higher Education Committee from 2007 to 2011 and the Education Committee from 2001 to 2003. She served as president pro tempore from 2003 to 2007.

After the DFL regained a majority in the 2012 election, Pappas was elected by her caucus to serve as President of the Minnesota Senate, starting in January 2013. Pappas was reelected to the Senate in 2016, 2020, and 2022. She chairs the Capital Investment Committee and sits on the committees on Finance, Judiciary and Public Safety, and Labor. alt=Portrait of Senator Sandra L. Pappas, Minnesota Legislature, 1993-1994 Legislative Session. Senator Sandra L. Pappas, Minnesota Legislature, 1993-1994 Legislative Session.

1997 Saint Paul mayoral campaign Pappas ran for mayor of Saint Paul in 1997 and lost to incumbent Norm Coleman.

Personal life Pappas is married to Neal Gosman. They have three children and 31 grandchildren. She is Jewish.