Ex-lawmaker Tom Rukavina, Iron Range champion, dies at 68
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Former Democratic state lawmaker Tom Rukavina, a champion of northeastern Minnesota's blue-collar Iron Range, died Monday, a former legislative colleague said. Rukavina was 68.
Rukavina died in Minneapolis, where he was being treated for an aggressive form of leukemia, state Sen. David Tomassoni of Chisholm said. Tomassoni said Rukavina's daughter, Ida, told him of her father's death.
"He will be remembered as a fiery, passionate giant that never stopped working for his beloved Iron Range and for the little people," Tomassoni told The Associated Press. "He was the kind of guy if he wasn't yelling at you, he probably didn't like you."
Rukavina was born in Virginia, Minnesota, of Croatian ancestry and served in the Minnesota House for 25 years, until 2012. He was later elected to the St. Louis County Board and served there until retiring last year because of health reasons.
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Even before he ran for Governor in 2010. I was a delegate for him at the State Convention.
We also shared Italian/Croatian heritages. Tommy was a Pisano. He will be missed in the Iron Range.
R.I.P my friend.
