EAST GULL LAKE, Minn. – State Senator Paul Gazelka, R-East Gull Lake, resigned as Senate majority leader. The decision would facilitate his campaign against Democrat incumbent Tim Walz for governor. He only hinted at a gubernatorial run but talked about pursuing “the next chapter in my political life.” In an email to supporters, he listed these accomplishments as majority leader:
> Finding budget agreements without raising taxes.
> Three cycles of cutting income taxes.
> Cutting taxes for Social Security income and cutting taxes in small businesses and farms.
> Raising funds for Repoublican candidates and winning back-to-back majorities in the Senate.
> Growing the GOP Sednate caucus from a one-vote majority in 2017 to a “comfortable working majority.”
Gazelka. First elected to State House in 2007. In Senate since 2011. Majority leader since 2017.