Don Ostrom taught in the Department of Political Science at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter from 1972 – 2004. After retiring from Gustavus, Don was a visiting professor in the Department of Political Science at Saint Olaf College in Northfield. Don’s area of expertise is U.S. government and politics.

While working at Gustavus and living in St. Peter, Don served as a member of the St. Peter School Board. He then Don was elected to four terms in the Minnesota House of Representatives, serving from 1989 through 1996. During his time in the Legislature, Don was a member of committees dealing with tax, health and human services, and transportation issues. During Don’s last session he was an assistant majority leader.

An adviser to Growth & Justice since it was formed in 2003, Don speaks on behalf of the nonpartisan organization that advocates for fair taxation and smart public investment. Growth & Justice believes a sustainable economy provides the foundation for a just society.

Don earned his B.A. from St. Olaf and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis, MO. Don and his wife, Florence, have lived in Minneapolis since retirement and have three grown children.