ST. PAUL — State Sen. Justin Eichorn resigned Thursday morning, March 20, from the Minnesota State Senate following his Monday arrest for soliciting a minor for prostitution.
In a statement posted to the Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus' Facebook page, Senate Republican Leader Mark Johnson said he was notified of Eichorn's resignation letter, effective immediately. The statement reads that Johnson confirmed in a phone call with Gov. Tim Walz that the letter was received and accepted.
"This is the right thing to do for his family and the Senate," Johnson stated in the release. "We are ready to move on and do the important work that needs to be done at the Capitol."
Because Eichorn, R-Grand Rapids, submitted his resignation, a planned motion to expel him is no longer in order.
The Senate floor session began at 11 a.m. Thursday with Secretary of the Senate Tom Bottern reading the letter: "Gov. Walz, I am resigning my seat in the Minnesota Senate for District 6 effective immediately. I must focus on personal matters at this time. It has been an honor to serve in the Minnesota Senate."
Eichorn's resignation means the party balance in the state Senate tips to one more in favor of the Democrats. Republicans have 32 members, while the DFL has 34. Minnesota law states Gov. Tim Walz shall call a special election to fill the vacancy in Senate District 6.
The district includes the cities of Grand Rapids, Brainerd and Baxter, stretching from southern Itasca County across northeastern Cass County and the northern two-thirds of Crow Wing County.
