impossible due to opposition of powerful interest groups, eventually building support and passing legislation several years later. He has authored a wide range of laws, including renewable energy legislation that created community solar and multiplied the use of solar power in Minnesota. He also authored the ban on mercury in consumer products, creation of public benefit corporations as an alternative form of business enterprise, authorization for nurses to dispense oral contraceptives in family planning clinics, significant restrictions on special interest money in politics, and numerous DWI and public safety laws. Marty’s legislative ideas have frequently made Minnesota the first state to adopt such ideas, with other states following suit, such as his law banning smoking in hospitals and health care facilities, and a ban on the pesticide Triclosan and a prohibition on using several toxic flame retardants. On LGBTQ rights, Marty was pushing for equality in early 1990s amid of strong public support for DOMA. Marty introduced marriage equality legislation in 2008 and publicly said that despite the position's unpopularity, he thought it could pass within five years, which turned out to be true. Family and personal life John Marty is married to Connie Marty (née Jaarsma). They live in Roseville, Minnesota, and have two children. Electoral history 2022 election for Minnesota Senate – District 40 John Marty (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) 26,490 (64.76%) Rachel Japuntich (Republican) 2020 election for Minnesota Senate – District 66 John Marty (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) 31,880 (76.89%) Greg Copeland (Republican) 9,490 (22.89%) 2016 election for Minnesota Senate – District 66 John Marty (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) 28,312 (74.34%) Carolyn Jass (Republican) 9,670 votes (25.39%) 2012 election for Minnesota Senate – District 66 John Marty (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) 27,735 (73.82%) Wayde Brooks (Republican) 9,718 votes (25.87%) 2010 election for Minnesota Senate – District 54 John Marty (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) 18,600 (56.52%) Tim Johnson (Republican) 14,277 votes (43.38%) 2006 election for Minnesota Senate – District 54 John Marty (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) 21,847 (62.05%) Dan Williams (Republican) 13,328 votes (37.86%) 2002 election for Minnesota Senate – District 54 John Marty (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) 21,609 (56.86%) Mark Zasadny (Republican) 16,359 votes (43.04%) 2000 election for Minnesota Senate – District 54 John Marty (Democratic-Farmer-Labor) 23,614 (65.50%) Mark Zasadny (Republican) 12,440 votes (34.50%) 1994 election for Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson (R) (inc.), 63% John Marty (D), 34% 1994 election for Minnesota Governor – DFL Primary John Marty, 38% Mike Hatch, 36% Tony Bouza, 25% Richard T. Van Bergen, 1% 1992 election for Minnesota Senate – District 54