Bill Luther

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bill Luther
Bill Luther

In office
1995 - 2003
Preceded by Rod Grams
Succeeded by Mark Kennedy

Born June 27, 1945
Fergus Falls, Minnesota
Political party Democratic Party

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 from 1995 to 2003, representing the 6th District of Minnesota.

Luther was born in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and was educated at the University of Minnesota. 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 State Senate from 1977 to 1994.

Despite building a reputation as a moderate Democrat, Congressional redistricting after the 2000 Census forced Luther into a more conservative district comprising several suburbs of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Luther lost his campaign for a fifth term in Congress in 2002 to John Kline, who was challenging Luther for the third consecutive time after failed attempts in 1998 and 2000.

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

[edit] Electoral history

  • 2006 Race for state Attorney General - Democratic Primary
    • Lori Swanson (DFL), 42%
    • Steve Kelley (DFL), 37%
    • Bill Luther (DFL), 21%
  • 2002 Race for U.S. House of Representatives - 2nd District
    • John Kline (R), 53%
    • Bill Luther (DFL) (inc.), 42%
  • 2000 Race for U.S. House of Representatives - 6th District
    • Bill Luther (DFL) (inc.), 50%
    • John Kline (R), 48%
  • 1998 Race for U.S. House of Representatives - 6th District
    • Bill Luther (DFL) (inc.), 50%
    • John Kline (R), 46%
  • 1996 Race for U.S. House of Representatives - 6th District
    • Bill Luther (DFL) (inc.), 56%
    • Tad Jude (R), 44%
  • 1994 Race for U.S. House of Representatives - 6th District
    • Bill Luther (DFL), 50%
    • Tad Jude (R), 50%


Preceded by
Rod Grams
United States Representative for the 6th Congressional District of Minnesota
1995 – 2003
Succeeded by
Mark Kennedy