Minnesota Senate

Upper house of the Minnesota legislature

Minnesota Senate

94th Minnesota Legislature
Type
Type|

Upper house

of the Minnesota Legislature

Term limits

| None
History

New session started

| January 3, 2023 (2023-01-03)
Leadership

President

Bobby Joe Champion (DFL)
since January 3, 2023

President pro tempore

Ann Rest (DFL)
since January 3, 2023

Majority Leader

Erin Murphy (DFL)
since February 6, 2024

Minority Leader

Mark Johnson (R)
since January 3, 2023

Structure
Seats| 67

Political groups

* DFL (33)
* Republican (32)
* Vacant (2)

Length of term

| 4 years when elected in years ending in 2 and 6.
2 years when elected in years ending in 0.
Authority| Article IV, Minnesota Constitution
Salary| $51,750/year + per diem [1]
Elections

Voting system

| First-past-the-post

Last election

| November 8, 2022

Next election

| November 3, 2026
Redistricting| Legislative control
Meeting place
Senate chamber
Minnesota State Capitol
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Website
senate.mn
Rules
Temporary Rules of the Senate

The Minnesota Senate is the upper house of the legislature of the U.S. state of Minnesota. At 67 members, half as many as the Minnesota House of Representatives, it is the largest upper house of any U.S. state legislature.[2] Floor sessions are held in the west wing of the State Capitol in Saint Paul. Committee hearings, as well as offices for senators and staff, are located north of the State Capitol in the Minnesota Senate Building. Each member of the Minnesota Senate represents approximately 80,000 constituents.[3]

## History

[edit]

The Minnesota Senate held its first regular session on December 2, 1857.[4]

## Powers

[edit]

In addition to its legislative powers, certain appointments by the governor are subject to the Senate's advice and consent. As state law provides for hundreds of executive appointments, the vast majority of appointees serve without being confirmed by the Senate; only in rare instances does the Senate reject appointees.[5] It has rejected only nine executive appointments since 2000.[6]

## Elections

[edit]

Each Senate district is split between an A and B House district (e.g., Senate District 41 contains House districts 41A and 41B). The Minnesota Constitution forbids House districts that are within more than one Senate district.[7]

To account for decennial redistricting, members run for one two-year term and two four-year terms each decade. Senators are elected to four-year terms in years ending in 2 and 6, and to two-year terms in years ending in 0.[8] Districts are redrawn after the decennial United States Census in time for the primary and general elections in years ending in 2. The most recent election was held on November 8, 2022.

## Leadership

[edit]

From statehood through 1972, the lieutenant governor served as president of the Senate. In 1972, voters approved a constitutional amendment that provided for the Senate to elect its own president beginning January 1973.[9] The president, who presides over official Senate proceedings, also acts as the parliamentarian and oversees the secretary of the senate.[10] The majority leader is responsible for managing and scheduling the business of the Senate and oversees partisan and nonpartisan staff. The current majority leader is Erin Murphy, a Democrat from Saint Paul.[11] The current minority leader is Mark Johnson, a Republican from East Grand Forks.[12] Each caucus also selects its own leaders and deputy leaders.

## Minnesota Senate Building

[edit]

Committee hearings mostly take place in the Minnesota Senate Building, a 293,000-square-foot (27,200 m2) office building that opened in January 2016.[13] The $90 million office building, which is north of the State Capitol across University Avenue, includes three committee hearing rooms, offices for all senators and staff, a raised terrace overlooking the State Capitol, and a 264-space underground parking facility.[14]

The 2016 session was held in the newly constructed Minnesota Senate Building due to an extensive restoration at the State Capitol. It was the first time the Senate held a regular session outside the Capitol since it opened in 1905.[15]

## Composition

[edit]

### Historical composition

[edit]

Years  | Party[16]

(Shading indicates majority caucus)

| Total

|
|

|  |  |
Democratic–
Farmer–Labor | Republican | Independent | Vacant
2001–2003  | 41  | 25  | 0  | 0  | 67
2003–2007  | 35  | 31  | 0  | 0  | 67
2007–2011  | 44  | 23  | 0  | 0  | 67
2011–2013  | 30  | 37  | 0  | 0  | 67
2013–2017  | 39  | 28  | 0  | 0  | 67
2017-2021  | 33  | 34  | 0  | 0  | 67
2021–2023  | 31  | 34  | 2[nb 1] | 0  | 67
2023–2027  | 34  | 33  | 0  | 0  | 67

### Current composition

[edit]

94th Minnesota Legislature (2025-2027)
| Party

(Shading indicates majority caucus)

| Total  | Vacant

|
|
|

|  |
Republican | Ind | Democratic–
Farmer–Labor
End of the previous Legislature | 34  | 1[nb 1] | 31  | 66  | 1
Begin 2023  | 33  | 0  | 34  | 67  | 0
December 27, 2024[nb 2] | 33  | 66  | 1
February 3, 2025[nb 3] | 34  | 67  | 0
March 20, 2025[nb 4] | 32  | 66  | 1
May 6, 2025[nb 5] | 33  | 67  | 0
July 21, 2025[nb 6] | 32  | 66  | 1
July 25, 2025[nb 7] | 33  | 65  | 2
Latest voting share  | 49.2%  | 50.8%  |

### Current members

[edit]

Senate districts

Republican

DFL

Politics of Minnesota

Constitution

Executive

* Governor: Tim Walz (DFL)
* Lieutenant Governor: Peggy Flanagan (DFL)
* Secretary of State: Steve Simon (DFL)
* State Auditor: Julie Blaha (DFL)
* Attorney General: Keith Ellison (DFL)
* Cabinet
* Executive Council

Legislature

* List of legislative sessions
* Senate
* President
* Majority leader
* Minority leader
* House of Representatives
* Speaker
* Majority leader
* Minority leader

Judiciary

* Supreme Court
* Court of Appeals
* District Courts

Elections

* Political parties
* Political party strength

Subdivisions

* Counties
* Cities
* Townships

Congressional delegation

* United States Senate
* Amy Klobuchar (DFL)
* Tina Smith (DFL)
* United States House of Representatives
* 1: Brad Finstad (R)
* 2: Angie Craig (DFL)
* 3: Dean Phillips (DFL)
* 4: Betty McCollum (DFL)
* 5: Ilhan Omar (DFL)
* 6: Tom Emmer (R)
* 7: Michelle Fischbach (R)
* 8: Pete Stauber (R)

* Politics of the United States
* Politics portal

* v
* t
* e

District  | Name  | Party  | Residence  | First elected

|
|
|
|

1 | Mark Johnson |  | Republican | East Grand Forks | 2016
2 | Steve Green |  | Republican | Fosston | 2022
3 | Grant Hauschild |  | DFL | Hermantown | 2022
4 | Rob Kupec |  | DFL | Moorhead | 2022
5 | Paul Utke |  | Republican | Park Rapids | 2016
6 | Keri Heintzeman |  | Republican | Nisswa | 2025[nb 8]
7 | Robert Farnsworth |  | Republican | Hibbing | 2022
8 | Jen McEwen |  | DFL | Duluth | 2020
9 | Jordan Rasmusson |  | Republican | Fergus Falls | 2022
10 | Nathan Wesenberg |  | Republican | Little Falls | 2022
11 | Jason Rarick |  | Republican | Pine City | 2019[nb 8]
12 | Torrey Westrom |  | Republican | Alexandria | 2012
13 | Jeff Howe |  | Republican | Rockville | 2018[nb 8]
14 | Aric Putnam |  | DFL | St. Cloud | 2020
15 | Gary Dahms |  | Republican | Redwood Falls | 2010
16 | Andrew Lang |  | Republican | Olivia | 2016
17 | Glenn Gruenhagen |  | Republican | Glencoe | 2022
18 | Nick Frentz |  | DFL | North Mankato | 2016
19 | John Jasinski |  | Republican | Faribault | 2016
20 | Steve Drazkowski |  | Republican | Mazeppa | 2022
21 | Bill Weber |  | Republican | Luverne | 2012
22 | Rich Draheim |  | Republican | Madison Lake | 2016
23 | Gene Dornink |  | Republican | Hayfield | 2020
24 | Carla Nelson |  | Republican | Rochester | 2010
25 | Liz Boldon |  | DFL | Rochester | 2022
26 | Jeremy Miller |  | Republican | Winona | 2010
27 | Andrew Mathews |  | Republican | Milaca | 2016
28 | Mark Koran |  | Republican | North Branch | 2016
29 | Vacant[nb 6] |  |  |  |
30 | Eric Lucero |  | Republican | Saint Michael | 2022
31 | Cal Bahr |  | Republican | East Bethel | 2022
32 | Michael Kreun |  | Republican | Blaine | 2022
33 | Karin Housley |  | Republican | Stillwater | 2012
34 | John Hoffman |  | DFL | Champlin | 2012
35 | Jim Abeler |  | Republican | Anoka | 2016[nb 8]
36 | Heather Gustafson |  | DFL | Vadnais Heights | 2022
37 | Warren Limmer |  | Republican | Maple Grove | 1995[nb 8]
38 | Susan Pha |  | DFL | Brooklyn Park | 2022
39 | Mary Kunesh |  | DFL | New Brighton | 2020
40 | John Marty |  | DFL | Roseville | 1986
41 | Judy Seeberger |  | DFL | Afton | 2022
42 | Bonnie Westlin |  | DFL | Plymouth | 2022
43 | Ann Rest |  | DFL | New Hope | 2000
44 | Tou Xiong |  | DFL | Maplewood | 2022
45 | Ann Johnson Stewart |  | DFL | Minnetonka | 2024[nb 8]
46 | Ron Latz |  | DFL | St. Louis Park | 2006
47 | Vacant[nb 7] |  |  |  |
48 | Julia Coleman |  | Republican | Chanhassen | 2020
49 | Steve Cwodzinski |  | DFL | Eden Prairie | 2016
50 | Alice Mann |  | DFL | Edina | 2022
51 | Melissa Halvorson Wiklund |  | DFL | Bloomington | 2012
52 | Jim Carlson |  | DFL | Eagan | 2012
(2006–2010)
53 | Matt Klein |  | DFL | Mendota Heights | 2016
54 | Eric Pratt |  | Republican | Prior Lake | 2012
55 | Lindsey Port |  | DFL | Burnsville | 2020
56 | Erin Maye Quade |  | DFL | Apple Valley | 2022
57 | Zach Duckworth |  | Republican | Lakeville | 2020
58 | Bill Lieske |  | Republican | Lonsdale | 2022
59 | Bobby Joe Champion |  | DFL | Minneapolis | 2012
60 | Doron Clark |  | DFL | Minneapolis | 2025[nb 8]
61 | Scott Dibble |  | DFL | Minneapolis | 2002
62 | Omar Fateh |  | DFL | Minneapolis | 2020
63 | Zaynab Mohamed |  | DFL | Minneapolis | 2022
64 | Erin Murphy |  | DFL | Saint Paul | 2020
65 | Sandy Pappas |  | DFL | Saint Paul | 1990
66 | Clare Oumou Verbeten |  | DFL | Saint Paul | 2022
67 | Foung Hawj |  | DFL | Saint Paul | 2012

## Committees

[edit]

Minnesota Senate Committee Assignments, 94th Legislature[22] Committee  | Chair  | Vice Chair  | Ranking Minority Member

|
|
|

Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development  | Aric Putnam  | Rob Kupec  | Torrey Westrom
Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans Committee  | Aric Putnam  | None | None
Capital Investment  | Sandy Pappas  | Susan Pha  | Karin Housley
Commerce and Consumer Protection  | Matt Klein  | Judy Seeberger  | Gary Dahms
Education Finance  | Mary Kunesh  | Heather Gustafson  | Jason Rarick
Education Policy  | Steve Cwodzinski  | Erin Maye Quade  | Julia Coleman
Elections  | Jim Carlson  | Bonnie Westlin  | Mark Koran
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate  | Nick Frentz  | Tou Xiong  | Andrew Mathews
Environment, Climate, and Legacy  | Foung Hawj  | Jen McEwen  | Steve Green
Finance  | John Marty  | Nick Frentz  | Eric Pratt
Health and Human Services  | Melissa Wiklund  | Alice Mann  | Paul Utke
Higher Education  | Omar Fateh  | Aric Putnam  | Zach Duckworth
Housing and Homelessness Prevention  | Lindsey Port  | Liz Boldon  | Eric Lucero
Human Services  | John Hoffman  | Omar Fateh  | Jordan Rasmusson
Jobs and Economic Development  | Bobby Joe Champion  | Zaynab Mohamed  | Rich Draheim
Judiciary and Public Safety  | Ron Latz  | Clare Oumou Verbeten  | Warren Limmer
Labor  | Jen McEwen  | Grant Hauschild  | Gene Dornink
Rules and Administration  | Erin Murphy  | Ann Rest  | Mark Johnson
State and Local Government  | Tou Xiong  | Heather Gustafson,

Erin Maye Quade

| Andrew Lang
Taxes  | Ann Rest  | Matt Klein  | Bill Weber
Transportation  | Scott Dibble  | Ann Johnson Stewart  | John Jasinski

## See also

[edit]

* Minnesota House of Representatives
* Minnesota Legislature
* Past composition of the Senate
* Political party strength in Minnesota
* List of Minnesota state legislatures

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b Caucused with Republicans
2. ^ Democrat Kari Dziedzic (District 60) died.
3. ^ Democrat Doron Clark seated to succeed Dziedzic.[17] Elected in a special election on January 28, 2025.
4. ^ Republican Justin Eichorn (District 6) resigned on March 20, 2025, after being arrested during a sting operation on suspicion of soliciting a minor for sex.[18]
5. ^ Republican Keri Heintzeman sworn in to succeed Eichorn.[19]
6. ^ a b Republican Bruce Anderson (District 29) died.[20]
7. ^ a b Democrat Nicole Mitchell (District 47) resigned after being convicted of felony burglary charges.[21]
8. ^ a b c d e f g Elected in a special election.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions - Representatives and Senators - Minnesota Legislature".
2. ^ Legislatures, National Conference of State. "Number of Legislators and Length of Terms in Years". www.ncsl.org. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
3. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions - - Minnesota Legislature". www.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
4. ^ "Sessions of the Minnesota State Legislature and the Minnesota Territorial Legislature, 1849-present". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
5. ^ "Creation and Organization of Executive Branch Agencies". Minnesota House of Representatives Research Department. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
6. ^ "Senate Confirmations: Problematic Governor Appointments - Minnesota Legislative Reference Library". www.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
7. ^ "Minn. Const. art. IV, § 3". Constitution of the State of Minnesota. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
8. ^ "Minn. Const. art. IV, § 4". Constitution of the State of Minnesota. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
9. ^ "President and President Pro Tempore of the Minnesota Senate, 1849-present". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
10. ^ "Minnesota Senate President and President Pro Tempore, 1849-present - Minnesota Legislative Reference Library". www.leg.state.mn.us. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
11. ^ "Majority and Minority Leaders of the Minnesota Senate, 1933-present". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
12. ^ "Senate Member Information 2021 - 2022". Minnesota Legislature. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
13. ^ Davis, Don (January 11, 2016). "Minnesota Senate Building quietly opens in spite of disagree..." Forum News Service. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
14. ^ "After controversy, new Minnesota Senate Office Building finally opens". Twin Cities. January 11, 2016. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
15. ^ Stassen-Berger, Rachel E. (August 6, 2017). "How the newly restored Minnesota Capitol came to be". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
16. ^ "Party Control of the Minnesota Senate". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
17. ^ Hauser, Tom; Brown, Kyle (February 3, 2025). "Doron Clark is sworn in to Senate, restoring DFL's one-seat majority". KSTP-TV. Retrieved February 4, 2025.
18. ^ LeSavage, Briggs (March 20, 2025). "Sen. Eichorn submits letter of resignation following prostitution of a minor charge". KBJR-TV. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
19. ^ "Keri Heintzeman Sworn in as State Senator for District 6". Lakeland PBS. Lakeland News. Retrieved May 7, 2025.
20. ^ MPR News Staff (July 21, 2025). "'A a dedicated public servant': Republican state Senator Bruce Anderson dies at 75". Minnesota Public Radio.
21. ^ Minor, Nathaniel (July 25, 2025). "Nicole Mitchell resigns seat in the Minnesota Senate". Minnesota Star Tribune.
22. ^ "Minnesota Senate Committees". Minnesota Legislature. 2025. Retrieved April 15, 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Members of the Minnesota Senate

94th Minnesota Legislature (2025-2027)

President
Bobby Joe Champion (DFL)
President pro tempore
Ann Rest (DFL)
Majority Leader
Erin Murphy (DFL)
Minority Leader
Mark Johnson (R)

1. ▌Mark Johnson (R)
2. ▌Steven Green (R)
3. ▌Grant Hauschild (DFL)
4. ▌Rob Kupec (DFL)
5. ▌Paul Utke (R)
6. ▌Keri Heintzeman (R)
7. ▌Robert Farnsworth (R)
8. ▌Jen McEwen (DFL)
9. ▌Jordan Rasmusson (R)
10. ▌Nathan Wesenberg (R)
11. ▌Jason Rarick (R)
12. ▌Torrey Westrom (R)
13. ▌Jeff Howe (R)
14. ▌Aric Putnam (DFL)
15. ▌Gary Dahms (R)
16. ▌Andrew Lang (R)
17. ▌Glenn Gruenhagen (R)
18. ▌Nick Frentz (DFL)
19. ▌John Jasinski (R)
20. ▌Steve Drazkowski (R)
21. ▌Bill Weber (R)
22. ▌Rich Draheim (R)
23. ▌Gene Dornink (R)
24. ▌Carla Nelson (R)
25. ▌Liz Boldon (DFL)
26. ▌Jeremy Miller (R)
27. ▌Andrew Mathews (R)
28. ▌Mark Koran (R)
29. ▌Vacant
30. ▌Eric Lucero (R)
31. ▌Cal Bahr (R)
32. ▌Michael Kreun (R)
33. ▌Karin Housley (R)
34. ▌John Hoffman (DFL)
35. ▌Jim Abeler (R)
36. ▌Heather Gustafson (DFL)
37. ▌Warren Limmer (R)
38. ▌Susan Pha (DFL)
39. ▌Mary Kunesh-Podein (DFL)
40. ▌John Marty (DFL)
41. ▌Judy Seeberger (DFL)
42. ▌Bonnie Westlin (DFL)
43. ▌Ann Rest (DFL)
44. ▌Tou Xiong (DFL)
45. ▌Ann Johnson Stewart (DFL)
46. ▌Ron Latz (DFL)
47. ▌Vacant
48. ▌Julia Coleman (R)
49. ▌Steve Cwodzinski (DFL)
50. ▌Alice Mann (DFL)
51. ▌Melissa Wiklund (DFL)
52. ▌Jim Carlson (DFL)
53. ▌Matt Klein (DFL)
54. ▌Eric Pratt (R)
55. ▌Lindsey Port (DFL)
56. ▌Erin Maye Quade (DFL)
57. ▌Zach Duckworth (R)
58. ▌Bill Lieske (R)
59. ▌Bobby Joe Champion (DFL)
60. ▌Doron Clark (DFL)
61. ▌Scott Dibble (DFL)
62. ▌Omar Fateh (DFL)
63. ▌Zaynab Mohamed (DFL)
64. ▌Erin Murphy (DFL)
65. ▌Sandy Pappas (DFL)
66. ▌Clare Oumou Verbeten (DFL)
67. ▌Foung Hawj (DFL)

Majority caucus
▌Democratic–Farmer–Labor (33)
Minority caucus
▌Republican (32)
Vacant
▌Vacant (2)

* Minnesota Legislature
* Senate
* House
* List of past legislatures

* v
* t
* e

Government of Minnesota

Executive
elected|

* Governor
* Lieutenant Governor
* Secretary of State
* Attorney General
* Auditor
* Treasurer (1858–2003)

Executive
agencies|

* Administration
* Agriculture
* Commerce
* Corrections
* Education
* Employment and Economic Development
* Health
* Higher Education
* Housing Finance
* Human Rights
* Human Services
* Indian Affairs
* Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation
* Labor and Industry
* Lottery
* Management and Budget
* Mediation Services
* Military Affairs
* Natural Resources
* Pollution Control
* Public Safety
* Public Utilities
* Revenue
* State Colleges and Universities System
* State Patrol
* Transportation
* Veterans Affairs

Legislative|

* Legislature
* Senate
* House

Judicial|

* Supreme Court
* Court of Appeals
* Tax Court
* Worker's Compensation
* District Court

Regional|

* Regional Development Commissions
* Metropolitan Council
* Soil and water conservation districts
* Watershed districts

Public|

* University of Minnesota System

Related|

* Capitol
* Constitution
* Politics
* Laws
* Statutes
* Territorial legislature
* Tribal government

* v
* t
* e

Legislatures of the United States

United States Congress|

* United States House of Representatives
* United States Senate

State legislatures|

* Alabama (H, S)
* Alaska (H, S)
* Arizona (H, S)
* Arkansas (H, S)
* California (A, S)
* Colorado (H, S)
* Connecticut (H, S)
* Delaware (H, S)
* Florida (H, S)
* Georgia (H, S)
* Hawaii (H, S)
* Idaho (H, S)
* Illinois (H, S)
* Indiana (H, S)
* Iowa (H, S)
* Kansas (H, S)
* Kentucky (H, S)
* Louisiana (H, S)
* Maine (H, S)
* Maryland (H, S)
* Massachusetts (H, S)
* Michigan (H, S)
* Minnesota (H, S)
* Mississippi (H, S)
* Missouri (H, S)
* Montana (H, S)
* Nebraska
* Nevada (A, S)
* New Hampshire (H, S)
* New Jersey (GA, S)
* New Mexico (H, S)
* New York (A, S)
* North Carolina (H, S)
* North Dakota (H, S)
* Ohio (H, S)
* Oklahoma (H, S)
* Oregon (H, S)
* Pennsylvania (H, S)
* Rhode Island (H, S)
* South Carolina (H, S)
* South Dakota (H, S)
* Tennessee (H, S)
* Texas (H, S)
* Utah (H, S)
* Vermont (H, S)
* Virginia (H, S)
* Washington (H, S)
* West Virginia (H, S)
* Wisconsin (A, S)
* Wyoming (H, S)

Other legislatures|

* District of Columbia
* American Samoa (H, S)
* Guam
* Northern Mariana Islands (H, S)
* Puerto Rico (H, S)
* U.S. Virgin Islands

Legislative elections|

* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025
* 2026

* List of U.S. state legislators
* Lists of past U.S. state legislatures

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* Germany
* United States
* Israel

Other|

* Yale LUX

44°57′19″N 93°6′10″W﻿ / ﻿44.95528°N 93.10278°W﻿ / 44.95528; -93.10278
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template