Justin Eichorn
Justin Eichorn | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Minnesota Senate | |
| In office January 3, 2017 – March 20, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Tom Saxhaug |
| Constituency | 5th district (2017–2023) 6th district (2023–2025) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 7, 1984 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Brittany |
| Children | 4 |
| Residence | Grand Rapids |
| Alma mater | Itasca Community College Concordia University |
Justin David Eichorn (born May 7, 1984) is an American politician who served as a member of the Minnesota Senate from 2017 to 2025. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, he represented District 5 from 2017 to 2023 and District 6 from 2023 until his resignation in 2025.
On March 17, 2025, Eichorn was arrested during a sting operation on suspicion of soliciting a minor for sex. On March 20, he was charged in federal court and resigned from the Senate as Republicans and Democrats prepared to expel him.
Education and early career
Eichorn attended Itasca Community College and Concordia University. He served on the Grand Rapids Housing and Redevelopment Authority.[1]
Political career
Eichorn ran for the Minnesota House of Representatives in District 5B in 2014, losing to incumbent Tom Anzelc.[1] He was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2016 from District 5, narrowly defeating incumbent Tom Saxhaug by 553 votes.[2] He was reelected in 2020, but opted to run in District 6 in 2022, where he won by nearly 30 points.[3]
On March 17, 2025, he was one of five Republican authors of a bill, SF2589, that would designate "Trump derangement syndrome" as an officially recognized mental illness in Minnesota.[4][5]
Arrest and resignation
On March 17, 2025, during a sting operation, Eichorn was arrested in Bloomington, Minnesota, on suspicion of soliciting a minor for sex.[6][7] The arrest occurred after he allegedly sexually solicited a detective posing as a minor.[8][6] His fellow Republican legislators, as well as Minnesota GOP chair Alex Plechash, called on him to resign.[8][9] On March 20, Eichorn submitted his letter of resignation, effective immediately.[10] That day, he was charged in federal court for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.[11] After appearing in court, Eichorn was released on his own recognizance pending placement in a halfway house.[12][13][14]
Personal life
Eichorn and his wife, Brittany, have four children and reside in Grand Rapids.[1]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Tom Anzelc (incumbent) | 9,449 | 56.54 | |
| Republican | Justin Eichorn | 7,241 | 43.33 | |
| Write-in | 23 | 0.14 | ||
| Total votes | 16,713 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Justin Eichorn | 20,240 | 50.59 | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Tom Saxhaug (incumbent) | 19,687 | 49.21 | |
| Write-in | 83 | 0.21 | ||
| Total votes | 40,010 | 100% | ||
| Republican gain from Democratic (DFL) | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Justin Eichorn (incumbent) | 25,169 | 55.59 | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Rita Albrecht | 16,706 | 36.89 | |
| Legal Marijuana Now | Robyn Smith | 2,400 | 5.30 | |
| Grassroots—LC | Dennis Barsness | 967 | 2.14 | |
| Write-in | 38 | 0.08 | ||
| Total votes | 45,280 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Justin Eichorn (incumbent) | 26,218 | 63.50 | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Steve Samuelson | 15,045 | 36.44 | |
| Write-in | 26 | 0.06 | ||
| Total votes | 41,289 | 100% | ||
References
- ^ a b c Myers, John (October 29, 2016). "Saxhaug faces challenge from Eichorn in Senate 5". Duluth News Tribune. Archived from the original on March 19, 2025. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
- ^ "ELECTION 2016: Senate District 5: Eichorn defeats Saxhaug". Brainerd Dispatch. November 9, 2016. Archived from the original on March 19, 2025. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
Republican Justin Eichorn defeated DFL incumbent Tom Saxhaug by a slim margin.
- ^ "2022 election results". Minnesota Secretary of State. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
- ^ Henderson, Eric; Cummings, Caroline (March 17, 2025). "Minnesota Republicans' bill to define "Trump derangement syndrome" as mental illness provokes backlash". CBS Minnesota. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
- ^ "SF 2589 as introduced - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)". MN Revisor's Office. March 18, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
- ^ a b Cox, Peter; Masters, Clay (March 18, 2025). "Minnesota state Sen. Eichorn arrested on suspicion of soliciting a minor". MPR News. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
- ^ Leingang, Rachel (March 18, 2025). "Republican who introduced Trump derangement syndrome bill arrested for soliciting a minor". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
- ^ a b "Grand Rapids Man Arrested for Solicitation of a Minor for Prostitution". City of Bloomington Minnesota (Press release). March 18, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
- ^ Walsh, Paul (March 18, 2025). "GOP calls for Sen. Justin Eichorn to resign after arrest for allegedly soliciting teen for sex". Minnesota Star Tribune. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
In the wake of Eichorn's arrest, the Senate Republican Caucus said in a statement, "We are shocked by these reports, and this alleged conduct demands an immediate resignation."
- ^ LeSavage, Briggs (March 20, 2025). "Sen. Eichorn submits letter of resignation following prostitution of a minor charge". KBJR-TV. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
- ^ Leingang, Rachel (March 20, 2025). "Republican charged with soliciting a minor resigns from Minnesota senate". The Guardian. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
- ^ Fields, Ashleigh (March 20, 2025). "Minnesota state senator resigns after being charged with soliciting minor". The Hill. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
- ^ Manzoni, Mike (March 20, 2025). "Ex-Sen. Justin Eichorn makes first court appearance: Here's what happened". KMSP-TV. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
- ^ "Ex-Sen. Eichorn released after arrest in underage solicitation case". KFGO (AM). March 21, 2025. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
- ^ "Results for State Representative District 5B". Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State. January 28, 2015. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
- ^ "Results for State Senator District 5". Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State. November 23, 2016. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
- ^ "Results for State Senator District 5". Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State. November 30, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
External links
- Justin Eichorn at Minnesota Legislators Past & Present
- Official Senate website
- "Official campaign website". Archived from the original on March 18, 2025.