Borden, Winston (1943-2014)

https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/legpol_oh/6/ [13648]

Biographical information: Winston Borden was born on December 1, 1943, in Brainerd, Minnesota, and grew up on farm. He received a Bachelor of Arts with majors in social science and public address from St. Cloud State College in 1965 and a Master of Arts degree in government administration and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1968. Borden served in the Minnesota Senate representing Aitkin, Crow Wing, Kanabec and Morrison counties. As part of the liberal caucus then as a DFL’er, Borden was first elected in 1970 and served until 1978 (District 53, 1971-1972; District 13, 1973-1978). His district covered areas in Aitkin, Crow Wing, Kanabec, and Morrison counties. After his time in the state legislature, Borden practiced law. He married Betty Rae McRoberts. The couple has one child. Borden died on January 20, 2014.

Transcript summary: In an interview conducted on August 7, 1973, Borden recounted his interest in politics started in high school and continued through college at St. Cloud State where he was the president of State Young DFL club. He attended the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago and became a candidate for the state Senate in 1970. In that election, Borden defeated Gordon Rosenmeier, who was a member of the conservative caucus and had served since 1941. Borden campaigned on the issue of legislative reform that included roll call votes, verbatim notes, and open meetings in the Senate Rules Committee and conference committees. He also focused on corporate farming, tax lost farming, and gas tax rebates for agricultural production. In his first session, Borden authored the Minnesota Anti-Trust Act of 1971, which became law. He also supported the Emergency School Aid Bill that provided money to the more impoverished school districts. He authored a bill that established the Minnesota Cable Television Commission to regulate cable. The Commission on Personnel Bill provided a system for identifying the most talented public servants and educating them and upgrading their training for advancement. His bill provided the same death benefits for all Minnesota law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. Borden authored a number of bills protecting natural resources and the environment including the Minnesota Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.