Mark Dayton is an American politician who served as the 40th governor of Minnesota from 2011 to 2018. A member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, he previously held positions as a U.S. Senator and the state’s Commissioner of Economic Development. Dayton is known for his focus on education, healthcare, and economic issues during his time in office. Born on January 26, 1947, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Dayton comes from a prominent family with a history in business and politics. He graduated from Yale University and began his career in public service and business before entering politics. His leadership style emphasized collaboration and bipartisanship.