March 20 - Resignation Comes Minutes Before Senate Vote to Expel

Sen. Justin Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids) is facing charges in federal court after being arrested as part of an underage prostitution sting operation in Bloomington. Bloomington Police say Eichorn thought he was meeting a 17-year-old girl Monday, March 17, for sex and was arrested instead by officers. Bloomington Police announced the arrest on Tuesday, March 18 and by Thursday, March 20 both the GOP and DFL caucuses were ready to vote for Sen. Eichorn’s expulsion. The expulsion of a sitting Senator would be the first in Minnesota history. The Minnesota Constitution allows the legislature to remove a member for “disorderly behavior”, in this case 45 members of the Senate would be necessary. Sen. Eichorn delivered an immediate resignation letter to Gov. Tim Walz which was communicated to Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson (R-East Grand Forks). Soon after a Senate Sergeant-At-Arms removed his name from his chamber desk and his name was also removed from the Senate voting board. If convicted Eichorn could face up to 10 years in prison.

10:26AM - Senate Chief Sergeant-At-Arms Sven Lundquist locks the chamber desk of Sen. Justin Eichorn..

10:40AM - Senate pages place the Senates agenda for the day on members desks.

10:44AM - Senate Assistant Sergeant-At-Arms Bryan Pierick removes Eichorn’s name plate from his chamber desk after notice came from Gov. Tim Walz’s office of the immediate resignation of Sen. Eichorn.

10:49AM - Justin Eichorn’s name is removed from the Senate voting boards after notice came from Gov. Tim Walz’s office of the immediate resignation of Sen. Eichorn.

10:55AM - Sen. Majority Leader Erin Murphy (DFL-St.Paul) and Minority Leader Mark Johnson confer prior to the start of the March 20 floor session avoiding a vote to expel Sen. Justin Eichorn.

11:07AM - Sen. Michael Kreun (R-Blaine), left and Sen. Andrew Mathews (R-Princeton), right, listen to an executive and official communication delivered to the Senate from Gov. Tim Walz announcing the resignation letter from Sen. Justin Eichorn. Secretary of the Senate Tom Bottern read Sen. Eichorn’s letter to the members: “Governor Walz, I am resigning my seat in the Minnesota Senate for District Six, effective immediately. I must focus on personal matters at this time, it has been an honor to serve in the Minnesota Senate. Sincerely, Justin Eichorn.”

11:22AM - Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson tells reporters after the Senate adjourned, “There is no question that these charges merit expulsion. It is my hope that this quick resolution gives Senator Eichorn time to focus on his family."

11:30AM - Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy surrounded by DFL members told members of the press that the allegations against Sen. Eichorn were beyond the pale attempting to buy sex with a minor.

A special election will have to be held in Senate District Six.