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Minnesota Senate
Upper house of the Minnesota legislature
Upper house of the Minnesota legislature
| Field | Value | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| background_color | |||
| name | Minnesota Senate | ||
| legislature | 94th Minnesota Legislature | ||
| coa_pic | Seal of Minnesota.svg | ||
| house_type | Upper house | ||
| body | Minnesota Legislature | ||
| term_limits | None | ||
| new_session | |||
| leader1_type | President | ||
| leader1 | Bobby Joe Champion (DFL) | ||
| election1 | January 3, 2023 | ||
| leader2_type | President pro tempore | ||
| leader2 | Ann Rest (DFL) | ||
| election2 | January 3, 2023 | ||
| leader3_type | Majority Leader | ||
| leader3 | Erin Murphy (DFL) | ||
| election3 | February 6, 2024 | ||
| leader4_type | Minority Leader | ||
| leader4 | Mark Johnson (R) | ||
| election4 | January 3, 2023 | ||
| members | 67 | ||
| structure1 | 94th Minnesota Legislature Senate composition.svg | ||
| structure1_res | 250px | ||
| political_groups1 | {{Unbulleted list | ||
| {{Color box | #0055a5 | border | darkgray}} DFL (34) |
| {{Color box | #e81b23 | border | darkgray}} Republican (33) |
| term_length | 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 | ||
| voting_system1 | First-past-the-post | ||
| last_election1 | November 8, 2022 | ||
| next_election1 | November 3, 2026 | ||
| redistricting | Legislative control | ||
| session_room | Minnesota_Senate_chamber.jpg | ||
| meeting_place | Senate chamber | ||
| Minnesota State Capitol | |||
| Saint Paul, Minnesota | |||
| website | https://www.senate.mn/ | ||
| rules | Temporary Rules of the Senate |
| DFL (34) | Republican (33) 2 years when elected in years ending in 0. Minnesota State Capitol Saint Paul, Minnesota 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. 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 85,000 constituents.
History
The Minnesota Senate held its first regular session on December 2, 1857.
Powers
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. It has rejected only nine executive appointments since 2000.
Elections
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.
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. 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
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. The president, who presides over official Senate proceedings, also acts as the parliamentarian and oversees the secretary of the senate. 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. The current minority leader is Mark Johnson, a Republican from East Grand Forks. Each caucus also selects its own leaders and deputy leaders.
Minnesota Senate Building
Committee hearings mostly take place in the Minnesota Senate Building, a 293,000 sqft office building that opened in January 2016. 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.
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.
Composition
Historical composition
| Years | Party(Shading indicates majority caucus) | Total | Democratic– | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmer–Labor | Republican | Independent | Vacant | 2001–2003 | 67 | 2003–2007 | 67 | 2007–2011 | 67 | 2011–2013 | 67 | 2013–2017 | 67 | 2017-2021 | 67 | 2021–2023 | 67 | 2023–2027 | 67 | ||||||
| Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Independent}}" | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 41 | 25 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 35 | 31 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 44 | 23 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 30 | 37 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 39 | 28 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 33 | 34 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 31 | 34 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 34 | 33 | 0 | 0 |
Current composition
:94th Minnesota Legislature (2025-2027)
| Party (Shading indicates majority caucus) | Total | Vacant | Republican | Ind | Democratic– | |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmer–Labor | End of the previous Legislature | 66 | Begin 2023 | 67 | December 27, 2024 | 66 | February 3, 2025 | 67 | March 20, 2025 | 66 | May 6, 2025 | 67 | July 21, 2025 | 66 | July 25, 2025 | 65 | November 18, 2025 | 67 | Latest voting share | |||||||||
| Republican Party of Minnesota}}" | Independent}}" | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 34 | 1 | 31 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 33 | 0 | 34 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 33 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 34 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 32 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 33 | 0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 32 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 33 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 33 | 34 | 0 |
Current members
]]
| District | Name | Party | Residence | First elected | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mark Johnson | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | East Grand Forks | |
| 2 | Steve Green | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Fosston | |
| 3 | Grant Hauschild | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | Hermantown | |
| 4 | Rob Kupec | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | Moorhead | |
| 5 | Paul Utke | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Park Rapids | |
| 6 | Keri Heintzeman | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Nisswa | |
| 7 | Robert Farnsworth | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Hibbing | |
| 8 | Jen McEwen | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | Duluth | |
| 9 | Jordan Rasmusson | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Fergus Falls | |
| 10 | Nathan Wesenberg | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Little Falls | |
| 11 | Jason Rarick | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Pine City | |
| 12 | Torrey Westrom | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Alexandria | |
| 13 | Jeff Howe | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Rockville | |
| 14 | Aric Putnam | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | St. Cloud | |
| 15 | Gary Dahms | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Redwood Falls | |
| 16 | Andrew Lang | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Olivia | |
| 17 | Glenn Gruenhagen | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Glencoe | |
| 18 | Nick Frentz | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | North Mankato | |
| 19 | John Jasinski | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Faribault | |
| 20 | Steve Drazkowski | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Mazeppa | |
| 21 | Bill Weber | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Luverne | |
| 22 | Rich Draheim | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Madison Lake | |
| 23 | Gene Dornink | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Hayfield | |
| 24 | Carla Nelson | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Rochester | |
| 25 | Liz Boldon | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | Rochester | |
| 26 | Jeremy Miller | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Winona | |
| 27 | Andrew Mathews | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Milaca | |
| 28 | Mark Koran | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | North Branch | |
| 29 | Michael Holmstrom Jr. | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Buffalo | |
| 30 | Eric Lucero | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Saint Michael | |
| 31 | Cal Bahr | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | East Bethel | |
| 32 | Michael Kreun | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Blaine | |
| 33 | Karin Housley | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Stillwater | |
| 34 | John Hoffman | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | Champlin | |
| 35 | Jim Abeler | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Anoka | |
| 36 | Heather Gustafson | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | Vadnais Heights | |
| 37 | Warren Limmer | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Maple Grove | |
| 38 | Susan Pha | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | Brooklyn Park | |
| 39 | Mary Kunesh | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | New Brighton | |
| 40 | John Marty | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | Roseville | |
| 41 | Judy Seeberger | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | Afton | |
| 42 | Bonnie Westlin | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | Plymouth | |
| 43 | Ann Rest | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | New Hope | |
| 44 | Tou Xiong | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | Maplewood | |
| 45 | Ann Johnson Stewart | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | Minnetonka | |
| 46 | Ron Latz | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | St. Louis Park | |
| 47 | Amanda Hemmingsen-Jaeger | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | Woodbury | |
| 48 | Julia Coleman | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Chanhassen | |
| 49 | Steve Cwodzinski | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | Eden Prairie | |
| 50 | Alice Mann | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | Edina | |
| 51 | Melissa Halvorson Wiklund | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | Bloomington | |
| 52 | Jim Carlson | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | Eagan | |
| 53 | Matt Klein | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | Mendota Heights | |
| 54 | Eric Pratt | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Prior Lake | |
| 55 | Lindsey Port | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | Burnsville | |
| 56 | Erin Maye Quade | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | Apple Valley | |
| 57 | Zach Duckworth | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Lakeville | |
| 58 | Bill Lieske | Republican Party (United States)}}" | Republican | Lonsdale | |
| 59 | Bobby Joe Champion | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | Minneapolis | |
| 60 | Doron Clark | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | Minneapolis | |
| 61 | Scott Dibble | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | Minneapolis | |
| 62 | Omar Fateh | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | Minneapolis | |
| 63 | Zaynab Mohamed | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | Minneapolis | |
| 64 | Erin Murphy | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | Saint Paul | |
| 65 | Sandy Pappas | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | Saint Paul | |
| 66 | Clare Oumou Verbeten | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | Saint Paul | |
| 67 | Foung Hawj | Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party}}" | DFL | Saint Paul |
Committees
| 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, | Andrew Lang |
| Taxes | Ann Rest | Matt Klein | Bill Weber |
| Transportation | Scott Dibble | Ann Johnson Stewart | John Jasinski |
Notes
References
References
- "Frequently Asked Questions - Representatives and Senators - Minnesota Legislature".
- Legislatures, National Conference of State. "Number of Legislators and Length of Terms in Years".
- "Frequently Asked Questions - - Minnesota Legislature".
- "Sessions of the Minnesota State Legislature and the Minnesota Territorial Legislature, 1849-present".
- "Creation and Organization of Executive Branch Agencies". Minnesota House of Representatives Research Department.
- "Senate Confirmations: Problematic Governor Appointments - Minnesota Legislative Reference Library".
- "Minn. Const. art. IV, § 3". Constitution of the State of Minnesota.
- "Minn. Const. art. IV, § 4". Constitution of the State of Minnesota.
- "President and President Pro Tempore of the Minnesota Senate, 1849-present". Minnesota Legislative Reference Library.
- "Minnesota Senate President and President Pro Tempore, 1849-present - Minnesota Legislative Reference Library".
- "Majority and Minority Leaders of the Minnesota Senate, 1933-present".
- "Senate Member Information 2021 - 2022".
- Davis, Don. (January 11, 2016). "Minnesota Senate Building quietly opens in spite of disagree...". Forum News Service.
- (2016-01-11). "After controversy, new Minnesota Senate Office Building finally opens". Twin Cities.
- Stassen-Berger, Rachel E.. (2017-08-06). "How the newly restored Minnesota Capitol came to be".
- "Party Control of the Minnesota Senate".
- (February 3, 2025). "Doron Clark is sworn in to Senate, restoring DFL's one-seat majority". KSTP-TV.
- (March 20, 2025). "Sen. Eichorn submits letter of resignation following prostitution of a minor charge". [[KBJR-TV]].
- "Keri Heintzeman Sworn in as State Senator for District 6". Lakeland News.
- MPR News Staff. (July 21, 2025). "‘A a dedicated public servant’: Republican state Senator Bruce Anderson dies at 75". [[Minnesota Public Radio]].
- Minor, Nathaniel. (July 25, 2025). "Nicole Mitchell resigns seat in the Minnesota Senate". Minnesota Star Tribune.
- Cummings, Caroline. (November 18, 2025). "Minnesota Senate returns to full strength with Holmstrom, Hemmingsen-Jaeger sworn in". CBS News.
- (2025). "Minnesota Senate Committees".
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