Dear Friends,
On October 4th 2025, I announced my retirement from the Minnesota Senate at the end of my current term. I have proudly served for nearly two decades representing the citizens of Eagan, Burnsville, Mendota Heights and Mendota.
I was first elected in 2006, and now finishing my fifth term representing Senate District 52, formerly Senate District 51, formerly Senate District 38. Besides serving as Chair of the Elections Committee, I have served on the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, the State and Local Government and Veterans Committee, and the Transportation Committee.
I was named Chair of the Elections Committee in 2023 and since helped shepherd the passage of nation-leading laws that expand and protect the freedom to vote. Previously, I passed several measures to improve public safety, including increasing the penalties for distracted driving, passing a hands-free cell phone bill, and a bill to require child safety seats in cars.
For nearly two decades, I've had the opportunity to work on so many important issues and to work with so many great people - both in my district and at the State Capitol - whose priority has always been to make life better for Minnesotans. It's gratifying to know that the work I have contributed has helped solve problems for people across the state and will do so for generations. It's been an honor to serve, but it's now time for me to pass the torch.
My last session has a reduction in my workload at the Senate. I am still Chair of the Elections Committee and I continue to serve on the Transportation Committee. At the end of October 2025, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and I am undergoing a biweekly chemotherapy routine. My prognosis looks good but we know that chemo and the upcoming surgery will be tough.
When I first ran for the Minnesota House in 2004, they said we could not win in the solidly Republican suburbs. But look at us today. Our towns of Burnsville, Mendota Heights and Eagan became bluer and are now solidly Democratic, recently winning by over 25 points.
But it didn’t happen by itself. We knocked thousands of doors, made countless phone calls, placed thousands of lawn signs, wrote letters to the editor and delivered over a hundred thousand pieces of campaign literature.
The most important part of a campaign are the citizens who volunteer their time and effort in order to improve their community, schools and businesses.
I want to thank all who donated, all who volunteered and all who supported our campaigns over the years. It has been an honor to represent you and work on your behalf. Thank you so much. And a special thank you to my wife Gayle and my family for their support, patience and understanding. Thank you so much.
It has been an honor to serve you and I wish all the best to our wonderful DFL candidates.
On October 4th 2025, I announced my retirement from the Minnesota Senate at the end of my current term. I have proudly served for nearly two decades representing the citizens of Eagan, Burnsville, Mendota Heights and Mendota.
I was first elected in 2006, and now finishing my fifth term representing Senate District 52, formerly Senate District 51, formerly Senate District 38. Besides serving as Chair of the Elections Committee, I have served on the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, the State and Local Government and Veterans Committee, and the Transportation Committee.
I was named Chair of the Elections Committee in 2023 and since helped shepherd the passage of nation-leading laws that expand and protect the freedom to vote. Previously, I passed several measures to improve public safety, including increasing the penalties for distracted driving, passing a hands-free cell phone bill, and a bill to require child safety seats in cars.
For nearly two decades, I've had the opportunity to work on so many important issues and to work with so many great people - both in my district and at the State Capitol - whose priority has always been to make life better for Minnesotans. It's gratifying to know that the work I have contributed has helped solve problems for people across the state and will do so for generations. It's been an honor to serve, but it's now time for me to pass the torch.
My last session has a reduction in my workload at the Senate. I am still Chair of the Elections Committee and I continue to serve on the Transportation Committee. At the end of October 2025, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and I am undergoing a biweekly chemotherapy routine. My prognosis looks good but we know that chemo and the upcoming surgery will be tough.
When I first ran for the Minnesota House in 2004, they said we could not win in the solidly Republican suburbs. But look at us today. Our towns of Burnsville, Mendota Heights and Eagan became bluer and are now solidly Democratic, recently winning by over 25 points.
But it didn’t happen by itself. We knocked thousands of doors, made countless phone calls, placed thousands of lawn signs, wrote letters to the editor and delivered over a hundred thousand pieces of campaign literature.
The most important part of a campaign are the citizens who volunteer their time and effort in order to improve their community, schools and businesses.
I want to thank all who donated, all who volunteered and all who supported our campaigns over the years. It has been an honor to represent you and work on your behalf. Thank you so much. And a special thank you to my wife Gayle and my family for their support, patience and understanding. Thank you so much.
It has been an honor to serve you and I wish all the best to our wonderful DFL candidates.
For Jim Carlson's official Senate contact page, please click here.
For Senator Jim Carlson's Facebook page look here.
For Senator Jim Carlson's Facebook page look here.
