Justin Eichorn
American politician (born 1984)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Justin David Eichorn (born May 7, 1984) is a former American politician who served as a member of the Minnesota Senate from 2017 to 2025. A member of the Republican Party of Minnesota, he represented District 5 from 2017 to 2023 and District 6 from 2023 until his resignation in 2025.
6th district (2023–2025)
Justin Eichorn | |
|---|---|
| |
| Member of the Minnesota Senate | |
| In office January 3, 2017 – March 20, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Tom Saxhaug |
| Succeeded by | Keri Heintzeman |
| Constituency | 5th district (2017–2023) 6th district (2023–2025) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 7, 1984 |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Brittany (filed for divorce) |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | Itasca Community College Concordia University St. Paul |
On March 17, 2025, Eichorn was arrested during a sting operation on suspicion of soliciting a minor for sex. On March 20, he was charged in federal court and resigned from the Senate as Republicans and Democrats prepared to expel him.
Education and early career
Eichorn attended Itasca Community College and Concordia University St. Paul. He served on the Grand Rapids Housing and Redevelopment Authority.[1]
Eichorn has worked at his family's outdoor store in Grand Rapids,[2][3] where he later started a small business.[3][4]
Political career
Eichorn ran for the Minnesota House of Representatives in District 5B in 2014, losing to incumbent Tom Anzelc.[1] He was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2016 from District 5, narrowly defeating incumbent Tom Saxhaug by 553 votes.[5] He was reelected in 2020, but opted to run in District 6 in 2022, where he won by nearly 30 points.[6]
On March 17, 2025, Eichorn was one of five Republican authors of a bill, SF2589, that would designate "Trump derangement syndrome" as an officially recognized mental illness in Minnesota.[7][8]
Arrest and resignation
On March 17, 2025, during a sting operation, Eichorn was arrested in Bloomington, Minnesota, on suspicion of soliciting a minor for sex.[9][10] The arrest occurred after he allegedly sexually solicited a detective posing as a minor.[11][9] His fellow Republican legislators, as well as Minnesota GOP chair Alex Plechash, called on him to resign.[11][12] On March 20, Eichorn submitted his letter of resignation, effective immediately.[13]
In an April 29 special election, Keri Heintzeman was elected to the Senate seat Eichorn vacated.[14]
Charges and trial
On March 20, 2025, Eichorn was charged in federal court for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.[15] After appearing in court, he was released on his own recognizance pending placement in a halfway house.[16][17][18] On March 23, prosecutors asked a judge to return Eichorn to jail after he prevented investigators from examining one of his laptops.[19]
On April 21, Eichorn pleaded not guilty at his federal arraignment hearing.[20] He is set to stand trial on June 1, 2026.[21]
In May 2026, Eichorn pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of attempted possession of child sexual abuse material.[22]
Personal life
Eichorn and his wife, Brittany, have four children and reside in Grand Rapids.[1] A week after his arrest, his wife filed for divorce.[23]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic (DFL) | Tom Anzelc (incumbent) | 9,449 | 56.54 | |
| Republican | Justin Eichorn | 7,241 | 43.33 | |
| Write-in | 23 | 0.14 | ||
| Total votes | 16,713 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Justin Eichorn | 20,240 | 50.59 | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Tom Saxhaug (incumbent) | 19,687 | 49.21 | |
| Write-in | 83 | 0.21 | ||
| Total votes | 40,010 | 100% | ||
| Republican gain from Democratic (DFL) | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Justin Eichorn (incumbent) | 25,169 | 55.59 | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Rita Albrecht | 16,706 | 36.89 | |
| Legal Marijuana Now | Robyn Smith | 2,400 | 5.30 | |
| Grassroots—LC | Dennis Barsness | 967 | 2.14 | |
| Write-in | 38 | 0.08 | ||
| Total votes | 45,280 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Justin Eichorn (incumbent) | 26,218 | 63.50 | |
| Democratic (DFL) | Steve Samuelson | 15,045 | 36.44 | |
| Write-in | 26 | 0.06 | ||
| Total votes | 41,289 | 100% | ||
