Justin Eichorn

{{Short description|American politician (born 1984)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Justin Eichorn | image = Minnesota State Senator Justin Eichorn.jpg | state_senate = Minnesota | term_start = January 3, 2017 | term_end = March 20, 2025 | preceded = Tom Saxhaug | succeeded = Keri Heintzeman | constituency = 5th district (2017–2023)<br>6th district (2023–2025) | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|05|07}} | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | party = Republican | spouse = Brittany (filed for divorce) | children = 4 | alma_mater = Itasca Community College<br />Concordia University St. Paul | occupation = }}

'''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.

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.<ref name="dnt_20161029">{{cite news |last1=Myers |first1=John |title=Saxhaug faces challenge from Eichorn in Senate 5 |url=https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/saxhaug-faces-challenge-from-eichorn-in-senate-5 |access-date=December 11, 2016 |work=Duluth News Tribune |date=October 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319154400/https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/saxhaug-faces-challenge-from-eichorn-in-senate-5 |url-status=live |archive-date=March 19, 2025 |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

Eichorn has worked at his family's outdoor store in Grand Rapids,<ref>{{cite web |title=Senator Justin Eichorn |url=https://www.mnsenaterepublicans.com/justin-eichorn-archive/ |website=Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus}}</ref><ref name="Reformer">{{cite news |last1=Winter |first1=Deena |title=State Sen. Justin Eichorn tries to hold off Bemidji Mayor Rita Albrecht, with control of Senate at stake |url=https://minnesotareformer.com/2020/10/20/state-sen-justin-eichorn-tries-to-hold-off-bemidji-mayor-rita-albrecht-with-control-of-senate-at-stake/ |access-date=April 23, 2025 |work=Minnesota Reformer |date=October 20, 2020}}</ref> where he later started a small business.<ref name="Reformer" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Meet Justin |url=https://www.justinformnsenate.com/ |website=Justin Eichorn for State Senate |access-date=April 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201227195726/https://www.justinformnsenate.com/ |archive-date=December 27, 2020 |quote=I grew up here in Grand Rapids being the third generation to work at my family's outdoor store. After college, I knew this is where I wanted to stay and raise my own family, and now I run my own small business in Grand Rapids. |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Political career== Eichorn ran for the Minnesota House of Representatives in District 5B in 2014, losing to incumbent Tom Anzelc.<ref name="dnt_20161029" /> He was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2016 from District 5, narrowly defeating incumbent Tom Saxhaug by 553 votes.<ref>{{cite news |title=ELECTION 2016: Senate District 5: Eichorn defeats Saxhaug |url=https://www.brainerddispatch.com/news/election-2016-senate-district-5-eichorn-defeats-saxhaug |access-date=March 19, 2025 |work=Brainerd Dispatch |date=November 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250319152002/https://www.brainerddispatch.com/news/election-2016-senate-district-5-eichorn-defeats-saxhaug |archive-date=March 19, 2025 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |quote=Republican Justin Eichorn defeated DFL incumbent Tom Saxhaug by a slim margin.}}</ref> He was reelected in 2020, but opted to run in District 6 in 2022, where he won by nearly 30 points.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2022 election results |url=https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/election-results/2022/2022-general-election-results/2022-election-results-maps/ |access-date=March 20, 2025 |website=Minnesota Secretary of State |language=en}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Henderson |first1=Eric |last2=Cummings |first2=Caroline |title=Minnesota Republicans' bill to define "Trump derangement syndrome" as mental illness provokes backlash |publisher=CBS Minnesota |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/trump-derangement-syndrome-minnesota-senate-republicans/ |access-date=March 18, 2025 |date=March 17, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=SF 2589 as introduced - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026) |url=https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/text.php?number=SF2589&session_number=0&session_year=2025&version=0&format=html |access-date=March 18, 2025 |date=March 18, 2025 |website=MN Revisor's Office}}</ref>

===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.<ref name="arrested">{{Cite news |first1=Peter |last1=Cox |first2=Clay |last2=Masters |date=March 18, 2025 |title=Minnesota state Sen. Eichorn arrested on suspicion of soliciting a minor |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/03/18/state-senator-eichorn-arrested-suspicion-of-soliciting-a-minor |access-date=March 18, 2025 |publisher=MPR News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Leingang |first=Rachel |date=March 18, 2025 |title=Republican who introduced Trump derangement syndrome bill arrested for soliciting a minor |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/18/minnesota-justin-eichorn-arrested-soliciting-minor |access-date=March 19, 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The arrest occurred after he allegedly sexually solicited a detective posing as a minor.<ref name="eichornarrested">{{cite press release |date=March 18, 2025 |title=Grand Rapids Man Arrested for Solicitation of a Minor for Prostitution |url=https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/pd/news/grand-rapids-man-arrested-solicitation-minor-prostitution-2025-03-18 |access-date=March 18, 2025 |website=City of Bloomington Minnesota |language=en}}</ref><ref name="arrested" /> His fellow Republican legislators, as well as Minnesota GOP chair Alex Plechash, called on him to resign.<ref name="eichornarrested" /><ref>{{cite news |last=Walsh |first=Paul |date=March 18, 2025 |title=GOP calls for Sen. Justin Eichorn to resign after arrest for allegedly soliciting teen for sex |url=https://www.startribune.com/justin-eichorn-arrested-senator-mn/601238548 |newspaper=Minnesota Star Tribune |access-date=March 18, 2025 |quote=In the wake of Eichorn's arrest, the Senate Republican Caucus said in a statement, "We are shocked by these reports, and this alleged conduct demands an immediate resignation."}}</ref> On March 20, Eichorn submitted his letter of resignation, effective immediately.<ref>{{cite news |last1=LeSavage |first1=Briggs |title=Sen. Eichorn submits letter of resignation following prostitution of a minor charge |url=https://www.northernnewsnow.com/2025/03/20/sen-eichorn-submits-letter-resignation-following-prostitution-minor-charge/ |access-date=March 20, 2025 |publisher=KBJR-TV |date=March 20, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

In an April 29 special election, Keri Heintzeman was elected to the Senate seat Eichorn vacated.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Longworth |first=Nick |date=April 29, 2025 |title=GOP's Heintzeman wins Senate District 6 special election to replace Justin Eichorn |url=https://www.fox9.com/news/heintzeman-wins-senate-district-6-special-election-2025 |access-date=May 4, 2025 |publisher=Fox 9 |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Charges and trial=== On March 20, 2025, Eichorn was charged in federal court for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.<ref>{{cite news |last=Leingang |first=Rachel |title=Republican charged with soliciting a minor resigns from Minnesota senate |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/20/justin-eichorn-minnesota-republican-charges |access-date=March 20, 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=March 20, 2025}}</ref> After appearing in court, he was released on his own recognizance pending placement in a halfway house.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fields |first1=Ashleigh |title=Minnesota state senator resigns after being charged with soliciting minor |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5205924-minnesota-state-senator-justin-eichorn-resigns/ |access-date=March 21, 2025 |work=The Hill |date=March 20, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Manzoni |first1=Mike |title=Ex-Sen. Justin Eichorn makes first court appearance: Here's what happened |url=https://www.fox9.com/news/justin-eichorn-first-court-appearance |access-date=March 21, 2025 |publisher=Fox 9 |date=March 20, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ex-Sen. Eichorn released after arrest in underage solicitation case |url=https://kfgo.com/2025/03/21/ex-sen-eichorn-released-after-arrest-in-underage-solicitation-case/ |access-date=March 21, 2025 |publisher=KFGO (AM) |date=March 21, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> On March 23, prosecutors asked a judge to return Eichorn to jail after he prevented investigators from examining one of his laptops.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.fox9.com/news/mn-senator-arrested-prosecutors-seek-new-detention-hearing-after-new-incident |title=MN senator arrested: Prosecutors seek new detention hearing after new incident |first=Howard |last=Thompson |publisher=Fox 9 |date=March 23, 2025 |access-date=March 24, 2025}}</ref>

On April 21, Eichorn pleaded not guilty at his federal arraignment hearing.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Bettin |first1=Anthony |last2=Kaplan |first2=Jonah |title=Fmr. Minnesota state senator Justin Eichorn pleads not guilty to enticement of a minor |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/justin-eichorn-motion-for-access-to-his-children/ |publisher=CBS Minnesota |date=April 21, 2025}}</ref> He is set to stand trial on June 1, 2026.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Kyle |title=Trial pushed back to June for former state senator accused of soliciting a minor |url=https://kstp.com/kstp-news/local-news/trial-pushed-back-to-june-for-former-state-senator-accused-of-soliciting-a-minor/ |access-date=April 10, 2026 |work=KSTP-TV |date=March 30, 2026}}</ref>

==Personal life== Eichorn and his wife, Brittany, have four children and reside in Grand Rapids.<ref name="dnt_20161029" /> A week after his arrest, his wife filed for divorce.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.fox9.com/news/eichorn-mn-senator-wife-divorce-prostitution-sting |title=Former MN Sen. Justin Eichorn's wife files for divorce after prostitution sting |first=Howard |last=Thompson |date=March 24, 2025 |publisher=Fox 9}}</ref>

==Electoral history== {{Election box begin no change |title = 2014 Minnesota House of Representatives district 5B election<ref>{{cite web |title=Results for State Representative District 5B |url=https://electionresults.sos.mn.gov/results/Index?ErsElectionId=20&scenario=StateRepresentative&DistrictId=364&show=Go |publisher=Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State |access-date=March 18, 2025 |date=January 28, 2015}}</ref> }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party | candidate = '''Tom Anzelc''' (incumbent) | votes = '''9,449''' | percentage = '''56.54''' }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Republican Party (United States) | candidate = Justin Eichorn | votes = 7,241 | percentage = 43.33 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 23 | percentage = 0.14 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 16,713 | percentage = 100% }} {{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change |title = 2016 Minnesota Senate district 5 election<ref>{{cite web |title=Results for State Senator District 5 |url=https://electionresults.sos.mn.gov/results/Index?ErsElectionId=100&scenario=StateSenate&DistrictId=493&show=Go |publisher=Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State |access-date=March 18, 2025 |date=November 23, 2016}}</ref> }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Republican Party (United States) | candidate = '''Justin Eichorn''' | votes = '''20,240''' | percentage = '''50.59''' }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party | candidate = Tom Saxhaug (incumbent) | votes = 19,687 | percentage = 49.21 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 83 | percentage = 0.21 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 40,010 | percentage = 100% }} {{Election box gain with party link no change |winner = Republican Party (United States) |loser = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party }} {{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change |title = 2020 Minnesota Senate district 5 election<ref>{{cite web |title=Results for State Senator District 5 |url=https://electionresults.sos.mn.gov/results/Index?ErsElectionId=136&scenario=StateSenate&DistrictId=493&show=Go |publisher=Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State |access-date=March 18, 2025 |date=November 30, 2020}}</ref> }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Republican Party (United States) | candidate = '''Justin Eichorn''' (incumbent) | votes = '''25,169''' | percentage = '''55.59''' }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party | candidate = Rita Albrecht | votes = 16,706 | percentage = 36.89 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Legal Marijuana Now Party | candidate = Robyn Smith | votes = 2,400 | percentage = 5.30 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Grassroots–Legalize Cannabis Party | candidate = Dennis Barsness | votes = 967 | percentage = 2.14 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 38 | percentage = 0.08 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 45,280 | percentage = 100% }} {{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change |title = 2022 Minnesota Senate district 6 election }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Republican Party (United States) | candidate = '''Justin Eichorn''' (incumbent) | votes = '''26,218''' | percentage = '''63.50''' }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | party = Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party | candidate = Steve Samuelson | votes = 15,045 | percentage = 36.44 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 26 | percentage = 0.06 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 41,289 | percentage = 100% }} {{Election box end}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{MN-legdb|15480}} * [http://www.senate.leg.state.mn.us/members/member_bio.php?mem_id=1219 Official Senate website] * {{cite web |title=Official campaign website |url=https://www.justinformnsenate.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250318200123/https://www.justinformnsenate.com/home.html |archive-date=March 18, 2025 |url-status=dead}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Eichorn, Justin}} Category:1984 births Category:Living people Category:People from Grand Rapids, Minnesota Category:Concordia University, St. Paul alumni Category:Minnesota Republicans Category:Republican Party Minnesota state senators Category:21st-century members of the Minnesota Legislature