Minnesota State Senator Rich Draheim (R–Madison Lake) will not seek reelection in 2026.

“After careful consideration and discussion with my family, I’ve decided not to seek reelection after my term ends in 2026,” said Sen. Draheim. “I believe in term limits, and after 10 years in the Senate, it’s time to give others the opportunity to serve in the legislature. Everyone has something to offer, and there needs to be fresh voices in St. Paul. I’m proud of the things I got done, but I’ll also remember the things that didn’t make it across the finish line and the impact they could have had. My top priorities next session are public safety, addressing rising healthcare costs, and term limits at the Minnesota Legislature.”

Sen. Draheim was first elected in 2016 and has been reelected twice since then. At the end of his current term, he will have served 10 years in the Minnesota Senate. He has served on a variety of committees, starting as Vice Chair of the Higher Education Committee, then as Vice Chair of Health and Human Services, then Chair of the Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee, and finally as Co-Chair and Republican Lead of the Jobs and Economic Development Committee. Throughout his service, Sen. Draheim pushed for practical solutions to the issues most important to Minnesotans.

Sen. Draheim had many achievements during his decade in the Senate. In 2022, he was the chief author of an omnibus mental health package that appropriated $92.7 million to fund mental health programs and initiatives. The bill funded school-linked mental health grants to increase access for children and youth who are uninsured or underinsured and improved the identification of mental health issues for children and youth. It also expanded mobile crisis service teams that provide rapid responses to individuals in crisis and appropriated funding for mental health resources in schools, including incentives to ease barriers to entering the mental health profession.

In 2024, he was honored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI-Minnesota) with the Legislator of the Year Award, which recognizes legislators who have been leaders and outspoken advocates for people with mental illnesses and their families.

Sen. Draheim has been a strong advocate for creating pathways to solid careers, affordable homeownership, and stable retirement. Part of this work included establishing a standalone Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee in the Senate, which had previously been part of the Agriculture, Rural Development, and Housing Policy Committee. He was recognized with the Legislative Housing Leadership Award in 2025, 2022, 2021, and 2017 for his efforts to advance housing affordability and expand opportunities for homeownership.

As a business owner, Sen. Draheim has been a key voice for small businesses, advocating for solutions that empower Minnesota businesses to support their employees, strengthen their communities, and contribute to the state’s economy. He’s received multiple National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Guardian of Small Business Awards.

“I view my work in the Senate not as bringing standalone solutions to standalone problems, but as looking at everything as a whole system of desired outcomes,” said Sen. Draheim. “I firmly believe that a pathway to a career where Minnesotans can support their families should lead to a pathway to affordable homeownership, which should lead to a pathway to a reasonable retirement age with a healthy financial outlook. These three pillars are good for families, for communities, and for Minnesota as a whole.”

“Serving in the Minnesota Senate has been a highlight of my career. I see public service as an opportunity to give back, and I’m proud of my 10 years of service. And after 10 years, it’s time to give others the chance to represent District 22. Fresh voices and new perspectives keep government efficient and honest,” said Sen. Draheim. “I’ll always be proud of the things I got done, and I’ll always think about the things we couldn’t get done and the positive impact Minnesotans missed out on. Thank you to the supporters in my district and across the state, the staff and my colleagues in the legislature, and most importantly, my family for supporting me for the last 10 years.”

After the 2026 session, Sen. Draheim will be looking for new challenges and opportunities.