ST.PAUL, Minn. – Two days after voters put Republicans into a minority in the state Senate, Republican Jeremy Miller of Winona, who had been majority leader, decided to withdrew from consideration to remain in party leadership. Replacing Miller but now with the title of “minority leader” will be Senator Kari Dziedzic of Minneapolis. Dziedzic was elected at a closed-door meeting of Republican senators. After the meeting Dziedzic said: “Voters told us they don’t want gridlock.” Miller had been in a deadlock showdown with Democratic Governor Tim Walz on how to spend a $9 billion state budget surplus. Put simply, Walz wanted to improve school and health programs, while Miller, a business owner, favored tax breaks for business. Meanwhile, the $9 billion remains sitting idle and unspent in state coffers, doing nobody any good. It is expected in January when the Legislature reconvenes with both houses in Democratic hands that Walz’s preferences will prevail. Dziedzic hinted as much at the new realities: “My goal is to keep unified, move Minnesota forward, and improve people’s lives.”

Dziedzic. Takes minority leadership in Minnesota Senate. Jeremy Miller of Winona didn’t want to stay in a party leadership role.

Minnesota Senate GOP regroups

The Democratic Senate caucus chose Bobby Joe Champion of Minneapolis as Senate President to preside over Senate sessions and to assign bills to Senate committees or squash them. Jeremy Miller, of Winona, was Senate president as a rising Republican star from 2019 to 2021, when the GOP controlled the Senate.  Miller then moved from Senate president to majority leader in 2021 — with  more hands-on responsibility herding legislation through the voting process. Now, at least for the time being, Miller is leaving leadersgip. What’s next for Miller? He was re-elected easily this week for a fifth term in the Senate. He may well have his pick of cRepublican ommittee assignments. Long term he’s thought to be politically ambitious. In 2018 he pondered running for Congress from the southern Minnesota MN-1 district but deferred. In Winona, meanwhile, he remains an officer in his family’s Wm. Miller Scrap Iron & Metal Company. He’s 39 and a graduate of Winona Tech.

Earlier: State Senator Miller both in and out

Earlier: November 2022 Minnesota election