RED WING, Minn. – At age 58 and after 1-1/2 terms in the State Senate, Mike Goggin announced his retirement. The Red Wing Republican, whose Senate District 21 extends into northern Winona County, said he plans to spend more time with family and travel. For his last few months in office, Goggin said he will “work hard to ensure everyone in Minnesota has the opportunity to grow, prosper and succeed.” In the Senate Goggin was vice chair of the Mining and Forestry Committee. He also served on committees on agriculture and rural development, higher education finance, and labor and industry.
Goggin. Furst elected 2016.
Goggin profile
Goggin graduated from Red Wing High School. He holds degrees in business from Gustavus Adolphus College and in electrical engineering from the University of Colorado at Denver. After college he worked for boot manufacturer Red Wing Shoes, of which his father was president. Later he was project manager at Xcel Energy’s Prairie Island nuclear power plant.
Senate District 21
The district, largely rural, covers the lower Cannon, Zumbro and Whitewater drainages. It is 91% white, of which 4% is Hispanic. Communities include Red Wing, population 16,500; Lake City, 5,100; Mazeppa, 800; Wabasha, 2,500; Kenyon, 1,800; Pine Island, 3,500; Goodhue, 1,200; Wanamingo, 1,100; Altura. 500; Welch, 700; and Kellogg, 450. Politically the district is purple but leans red. The district went for Barrack Obama in 2008 and 2012, for Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020. In 2012 Democrat Matt Schmit defeated incumbent Republican John Howe 52% to 46% for the State Senate. In 2016 Goggin defeated Schmit 54% to 46%. In 2020 Goggin defeated Democrat challenger Ralph Kaehler 59% to 40%. In the Minnesota House, Republican Barb Haley of Red Wing represents District 21A. Steve Drazkowski of Mazeppa represents District 21B.