Minnesota state Senator Justin Eichorn, a Republican from Grand Rapids, was arrested on March 17, 2025, on suspicion of soliciting a minor for sex in Bloomington. According to police reports, he was led to believe he was communicating with a 16-year-old girl and arranged to meet for illicit purposes near the 8300 block of Normandale Avenue. Detectives, posing as the minor, arrested Eichorn without incident, and felony charges for soliciting a minor for prostitution are currently pending.
In a statement released by the Bloomington Police Department, Police Chief Booker Hodges voiced the severity of the situation: "As a 40-year-old man, if you come looking to have sex with someone’s child, you can expect that we are going to lock you up." He expressed the necessity for stricter laws regarding such offenses and called on the legislature to treat these cases with the seriousness they deserve.
The news of Eichorn’s arrest sent shockwaves through the political landscape in Minnesota. Senate Republicans swiftly issued a statement declaring their shock at the allegations and demanding Eichorn’s immediate resignation. "We are shocked by these reports and this alleged conduct demands an immediate resignation. Justin has a difficult road ahead and he needs to focus on his family," the statement read. House Speaker Lisa Demuth, alongside Leader Harry Niska, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for legislators to adhere to a higher standard, stating, "Given the seriousness of the charges, Senator Eichorn should resign. While he is entitled to due process, we must hold legislators to a higher standard."
The Minnesota DFL Party was also quick to respond, with executive director Heidi Kraus Kaplan stating, "No one who solicits children belongs anywhere near public office or the State Capitol. The facts presented by the Bloomington Police Department make it clear that Senator Eichorn is an immediate danger to the public and must resign immediately." Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy labeled the allegations against Eichorn as "deeply disturbing," which she asserted raises serious questions that need to be addressed by the court and Eichorn’s constituents.
Eichorn, who has served in the Minnesota Senate since 2016, has a background of contentious political positions. Just last month, he co-authored a bill to classify what has been dubbed "Trump Derangement Syndrome" as a mental illness. This controversial proposal, which has drawn both national attention and criticism, defined the syndrome as an acute paranoia among normal individuals reacting to Donald Trump's presidency. Many have criticized this characterization as trivializing legitimate mental health issues and an affront to free speech.
This recent incident adds to the already complex political landscape in Minnesota, particularly regarding issues of ethics and accountability. Eichorn's arrest complicates the ongoing efforts of Senate Republicans to expel DFL Senator Nicole Mitchell, who faces her own legal troubles stemming from burglary charges in 2024. While some lawmakers urge her immediate resignation, Democrats argue that due process must be upheld, pausing any ethics proceedings until after her trial.
Political analysts suggest that Eichorn’s predicament reflects broader challenges facing the Minnesota Senate, where the balance of power currently favors the DFL at 34 to 33 party seats. A resignation or potential expulsion of Eichorn may further shift this balance, leaving Republicans at a deficit while raising pressing questions about integrity and standards among legislators.
As the situation develops, calls for accountability are becoming louder. The public and political figures alike are watching closely, as both the court proceedings and the fate of Senator Eichorn remain uncertain. In light of these developments, the focus will now turn not only to the legal ramifications of Eichorn's actions but also to how his colleagues respond to the issues of ethical conduct within the Minnesota state legislature.
