Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka Steps Down to Focus on the “Next Chapter” of His Political Life

(KNSI) – Calling it bittersweet, Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka says he is stepping down from his leadership role.

In an email, Gazelka said outside of his faith and family life, serving as Majority Leader has been one of the most rewarding experiences of his life.

He said he was grateful for what was accomplished while he was leader, including finding budget agreements without raising taxes three cycles in a row, cutting income taxes, and cutting taxes for Social Security income, small businesses, and agriculture property taxes. He also cited record fundraising and spending in the 2020 election, winning back-to-back majorities in the Senate for the first time and growing the GOP caucus from a one-vote majority in 2017 to a “comfortable working majority.”

The email closes by saying the accomplishments were possible because “we stuck to our principles and communicated directly with the people of Minnesota. Again, I am so very grateful for the work we’ve accomplished together and believe the caucus is in a very strong position to be successful in the 2022 session and the subsequent election.

I plan to be part of that future success but look forward to letting someone else take over serving as leader while I pursue the next chapter in my political life.”

That next chapter may be a run for Governor.

If he decides to run, he will join an ever-growing field of Republican candidates, including Dr. Scott Jensen, Dr. Neil Shah, Senator Michelle Benson, and Lexington Mayor Mike Murphy.

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