Don Ness
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| Don Ness | |
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37th Mayor of Duluth
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office 2008 - |
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| Preceded by | Herb Bergson |
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| Born | 1974 Duluth, Minnesota |
| Political party | Democratic-Farmer-Labor |
| Spouse | Laura Ness |
Don "Donny" Ness (born January 9, 1974) is an American politician from Duluth, Minnesota, and the current mayor of that city. He is a member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.
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[edit] Early Life and Education
Ness was born in Duluth to Don and Mary Ness. His father was the pastor of a small, non-denominational Christian church. He was educated in Duluth's public school system, then went on to the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD), where he served as Student Body President in 1995, and as chair of the University-wide Student Senate in 1996. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and was given the Sieur du Lhut Award for his service to the campus.
[edit] Community Service
Ness has a history of active service to and involvement in the Duluth community. He founded the Bridge Syndicate, a group of young people whose mission is to increase civic, cultural, and economic opportunities in the Twin Ports. The group also sponsors such events as Homegrown Music Festival and awards recognizing emerging leaders.
Ness also works for the Zeppa Family Foundation, a progressive-minded foundation focused on hunger and poverty, environmental sustainability, and support for the visual and performing arts.
[edit] Political career
In 1997, Congressman Jim Oberstar hired Ness to be his campaign manager--a position Ness continued to hold for nearly ten years.
In the Fall of 1999, Ness was elected to the Duluth City Council as the city's councilor-at-large. In 2001 and 2004, he served as council president.
Ness was elected mayor of Duluth in November 2007, and took office in January 2008.
[edit] Family life
Ness and his wife, Laura, met in 2002 when she was a field staff worker for the late Senator Paul Wellstone. They were married in 2004, and are the parents of two children, Eleanor Mary and James Olav.
