News - Minnesota Senate Republicans

August 28, 2026

Farm safety can’t wait until after harvest

By Senator Rich Draheim As crops across Minnesota mature and farmers prepare for harvest, our farmlands become some of my favorite scenery. But those views come real danger and risk for our ag workers. Farmers…

August 27, 2026

Westrom: Appleton roundtable town meeting highlights 525 new jobs, civil community discussion

State Sen. Torrey Westrom (R-Alexandria) said a recent Appleton roundtable town meeting highlighted the significant economic opportunity created by the planned reopening of the former Prairie Correctional Facility, including a new estimate that the facility…

August 19, 2026

Senator Keri Heintzeman statement on Gov. Walz’s executive order against mining in northern Minnesota

Senator Keri Heintzeman issued the following statement in response to Gov. Tim Walz’s executive order against mining in northern Minnesota. “This is just another desperate act of a failed governor trying to keep his name in…

August 18, 2026

Rasmusson: Walz’s DHS failures have no end

DHS ‘outstanding refugee’ now faces fraud and sex trafficking charges Salman Ahmed Elmi, who received a Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) “Outstanding Refugee Award” in 2021, is now facing eight counts of Medicaid fraud…

August 18, 2026

Rasmusson highlights progress on housing reform, calls for continued work to increase homeownership

State Sen. Jordan Rasmusson (R-Fergus Falls) recently participated in a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Regional Housing Round Table focused on increasing homeownership opportunities in Minnesota by addressing local barriers to housing…

August 12, 2026

Sen. Nelson named a 2026 Legislator of Distinction by League of Minnesota Cities

The League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) has named State Senator Carla Nelson (Rochester) as a 2026 Legislator of Distinction. The honor is awarded to state lawmakers each year who show strong leadership and support for…

August 12, 2026

Sen. Carla Nelson Earns Perfect Score on Small Business Voting Record

State Senator Carla Nelson (Rochester) received a 100% rating from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), a national organization representing small business owners, according to a scorecard the group released this month. Sen. Nelson…

August 12, 2026

Sen. John Jasinski Earns Perfect Score on Small Business Voting Record

State Senator John Jasinski (Faribault) received a 100% rating from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), a national organization representing small business owners, according to a scorecard the group released this month. Sen. Jasinski…

August 11, 2026

Senator Jeremy Miller presented with Minnesota Legacy Award by the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities

Minnesota State Senator Jeremy Miller (Winona) was honored by the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC) with the organization’s Minnesota Legacy Award, given to legislators upon their retirement who have “demonstrated unfailing commitment and made…

August 10, 2026

Second organization names Sen. Jasinski as a 2026 Legislator of Distinction for work on behalf of local communities

Senator John Jasinski (R-Faribault) has been named a 2026 Legislator of Distinction by the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC), an award given to state lawmakers who show strong leadership and support for Minnesota cities. Senator…

August 10, 2026

Sen. Westrom and Rep. Anderson to host Aug. 20 roundtable town meeting on Appleton prison reopening

Following the announcement that the federal government has purchased the Prairie Correctional Facility in Appleton, State Sen. Torrey Westrom (R-Alexandria) and State Rep. Paul Anderson (R-Starbuck) will host a roundtable town meeting Thursday, Aug. 20,…

August 7, 2026

Holmstrom to bring accountability, pragmatic solutions to Human Services Systems Commission

Senator Michael Holmstrom (R–Buffalo) today was appointed to the Legislative Commission on Human Services Systems. The LCHSS will provide legislative oversight, monitoring, and recommendations regarding a comprehensive modernization of Minnesota’s human services systems, from financing…

August 6, 2026

Senator John Jasinski named Legislator of Distinction by the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities

Minnesota State Senator John Jasinski (Faribault) was honored by the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC) on Thursday, July 23 as one of the organization’s Legislators of Distinction for 2026. “I am so grateful to…

August 5, 2026

Weber recognized as a 2026 Legislator of Distinction by the League of Minnesota Cities

The League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) recently recognized Senator Bill Weber (R-Luverne) as a 2026 Legislator of Distinction. This award is presented to legislators who aided the efforts of Minnesota cities during the past year’s…

August 5, 2026

Weber receives Minnesota Legacy Award from the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities

State Sen. Bill Weber (R-Luverne) has been named a recipient of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities' (CGMC) Minnesota Legacy Award. The award recognizes retiring legislators who have demonstrated a longstanding commitment to Greater Minnesota…

August 5, 2026

Westrom applauds Appleton prison reopening

State Senator Torrey Westrom (R-Alexandria) today applauded the announcement that the Appleton correctional facility will reopen under a federal contract, bringing back great jobs and economic opportunity to Senate District 12 and West Central Minnesota.…

August 3, 2026

Senator Dahms receives legacy award

On July 23, the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC) hosted a Legislative Awards dinner recognizing city officials and legislators for their advocacy and contributions to Greater Minnesota throughout the 2026 legislative session and their…

August 3, 2026

Rasmusson named Minnesota’s most effective Republican freshman state senator

Sen. Jordan Rasmusson (R-Fergus Falls) has been recognized as the most effective Republican freshman state senator in Minnesota and one of the state’s most effective legislators during the 93rd Legislature by the Center for Effective Lawmaking (CEL).…

August 3, 2026

Sen. Abeler calls for employee retention program to protect mental healthcare transition

Sen. Jim Abeler (R-Anoka) is calling on state officials to create an employee retention program to help experienced Community Addiction Recovery Enterprise (CARE)–Anoka employees remain on the job as services transition to the Anoka Metro…

July 29, 2026

Farnsworth statement on updates to NorthMet Project

Today NewRange Copper and Nickel announced it has reached a key step with the NorthMet Project by submitting an updated Clean Water Act Section 404 wetland permit application to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers…