Republicans and Democrats in the Minnesota Senate will soon be under new leadership as the leaders of both parties announced last week that they are stepping down from their positions.

On Sept. 1, Sen. Paul Gazelka (R-East Gull Lake) resigned from his role as Senate majority leader in what was speculated to be a preemptive move ahead of likely run for governor. The timing of his resignation further fueled that speculation as it came on the same day that Sen. Michelle Benson, a four-term Republican senator from Ham Lake, announced her candidacy for governor.

Sen. Gazelka, who had long been expected to enter the gubernatorial race, confirmed those rumors on Wednesday when he held a press conference at the State Capitol to officially announce his candidacy.

With the additions of Sen. Benson and Sen. Gazelka into the race, the number of Republicans vying to take on Gov. Walz (who has yet to officially announce his reelection bid) for the state’s highest office now stands at six. They are joined by fellow gubernatorial candidates former Sen. Scott Jensen, Lexington Mayor Mike Murphy, businessman Mike Marti and Dr. Neil Shah, while other potential candidates may still be waiting in the wings.

Changes in leadership are coming to the Senate DFL as well. In a statement released Sept. 2, Sen. Susan Kent (DFL-Woodbury) announced she will retire from the Legislature at the end of the current term and that she is stepping down from her role as Senate minority leader immediately. She said her decision to not seek re-election was based on her desire to focus on family, especially her mother who lives in an assisted living facility out of state. 

With both Sen. Gazelka and Sen. Kent out of their leadership positions, focus now turns to who will take their place as head of the Senate GOP and DFL caucuses, respectively.

On Wednesday night, the Senate GOP elected Sen. Jeremy Miller to the majority leader position. Sen. Miller, a 37-year-old from Winona, is currently serving his fourth term in the Senate.

Senate Democrats are scheduled to hold caucus elections Sept. 13. Thus far, three senators have thrown their hats into the ring for the minority leader position: Melisa Lopez Franzen of Edina, Nick Frentz of North Mankato and John Marty of Roseville.