Timothy Joseph Penny (born November 19, 1951) is an American author, musician, and former politician from Minnesota.

Penny was born in Albert Lea, Minnesota, and was educated at Winona State College, receiving a bachelor's degree in political science in 1974.

Leading up to the election, Republicans were divided after the conservative Hagedorn narrowly defeated two-term First District moderate incumbent, Rep. Arlen Erdahl, in a contentious Republican Convention endorsement contest after redistricting; in addition, Democrats made large gains in congressional elections across the country, which contributed to Penny's victory.

Penny also serves as vice chairman of the board of directors of ACDI/VOCA, a nonprofit U.S. international development organization.

Penny is the co-author of three books, Payment Due (1996), Common Cents: A Retiring Six-Term Congressman Reveals How Congress Really Works — And What We Must Do to Fix It (1995), and The 15 Biggest Lies in Politics (1998).

He is the lead author of "The Road to Generational Equity",[7] a manifesto that political analyst John Avlon characterizes as radical centrist.