Gene Dornink

Gene Dornink (born December 30, 1962) is a Minnesota politician and member of the Minnesota Senate. A Republican, he represents District 23, which includes all of Freeborn County and parts of Faribault, Mower, Steele, and Waseca Counties in southeastern Minnesota.

Minnesota Senate
Dornink defeated DFL incumbent Dan Sparks in the 2020 election. He was reelected in 2022, defeating DFL nominee Brandon Lawhead.

Dornink made news in March 2024 when he incorrectly identified Laura Haynor, a pilot for Delta Air Lines, as a "stewardess" during questions following her testimony to the Minnesota Senate on sick and safe time regulations. Haynor had introduced herself as a pilot, but Dornick asked her what a typical week was like as a "stewardess", addressing her as "Toots".

Personal life
Dornink was born and raised on a dairy farm in southern Minnesota. He worked as a union carpenter for many years before starting his own carpentry business.

Dornink and his wife, Vicky, have 12 children. They reside in Brownsdale, Minnesota.