WINONA, Minn. —Five-term Senator Jeremy Miller of Winona will not seek re-election, he announced. Miller said he is looking forward to being home more with his family, growing his business, and volunteering. Miller, age 42, noted that he has not ruled out seeking public office in the future. In 2022 Miller was touted as a possible successor to MN-1 Congressman Jim Hagedorn, who died in office. Miller didn’t respond to the vibes. Instead, they went to Brad Finstad, a New Ulm farmer closely allied with Donald Trump.

Senate leadership

Miller was tabbed early as a rising star among Republicans in the State Senate. He was deputy majority leader from 2017 to 2018. He was Senate president from 2019 to 2021. He was Senate majority leader from 2021 to 2023.

Legislative record

Miller characterized himself as “People First” while also favoring limited government. Priorities included quality schools and colleges. A related priority was economic development. He tried repeatedly to expand sports gambling as a tourism and economic development tool but couldn’t overcome arguments that that gambling was destructively addictive. He advocated exempting Social Security income from state taxation with limited success. He supported numerous southeast Minnesota infrastructure projects in including broadband expansion and hiking and bicycling trails.

Electoral history

Miller narrowly won his first bid for Senate in 2010, then widened his margin for re-election three times:

> 2010. Defeated Sharon Erickson Ropes, the Democratic incumbent, 51% to 49%. This was Senate District 31 at the time.

> 2012: Defeated Democrat Jack Krage 57% to 42%. This was redrawn and renumbered Senate District 28.

> 2016: Defeated Democrat John Pieper 62% to 36%.

> 2020: Defeated Democrat Dan Wilson 58% to 38%.

> 2022: Defeated Democrat Sarah Kruger 57% to 42%. This was redrawn and renumbered Senate District 26.

Miller.  A Republican. When first elected, he was the second youngest Minnesota state senator in history.

Senate District 26. Spans Winona County except St. Charles and some townships; most of Houston County, all of Filmore County; and eastern Mower County.

Miller profile

He is chief financial officer of Wm. Miller Scrap Iron & Metal, a fourth-generation family business. In recent years he engineered the company’s expansion into scheduled household and commercial trash and garage pick-up. He holds a 2004 accounting degree from Minnesota State College-Southeast. He’s married with three children. His father Jerry Miller was Winona mayor for 16 years. Jeremy Miller has served on the boards of the Winona YMCA, Rock Solid Youth Center, and the Winona State University Warrior Club. He has also been vice president of the Morrie Miller Athletic Foundation.