GOP state Sen. Justin Eichorn resigns after federal charge accusing him of soliciting a minor for sex
Source: CBS News
Updated on: March 20, 2025 / 12:31 PM EDT
State Sen. Justin Eichorn submitted his letter of resignation on Thursday, GOP Leader Mark Johnson said in a statement, following a federal criminal charge accusing him of soliciting sex from someone he thought was 17, but turned out to be an undercover cop. The move comes after Eichorn's colleagues in the Republican caucus said they would move to expel him from the chamber if he did not step down. Democrats were prepared to join them to clear the two-thirds majority hurdle needed for expulsion.
Eichorn, a Republican from Grand Rapids, is charged with attempted coercion or enticement of a minor. Prosecutors said he answered an online ad that was part of an operation targeting sex trafficking by Bloomington police and other law enforcement.
Sen. Justin Eichorn, shown in a recent mug shot released by the Bloomington Police Department.
Bloomington Police Department
The fallout at the state capitol was swift following his arrest. Senate Republicans called on him to resign, as did other lawmakers across party lines in both chambers. The GOP caucus reiterated that call on Wednesday afternoon. Later that day, Johnson said they would bring forward a motion to remove him Thursday morning during the floor session. That is now moot since he submitted his resignation letter.
"This is the right thing to do for his family and the Senate," he said. "We are ready to move on and do the important work that needs to be done at the Capitol." Johnson added he confirmed Gov. Tim Walz received his letter of resignation.
Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/minnesota-senate-republicans-motion-to-expel-eichorn/
REFERENCES -
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143419600
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143421024
The below was the earlier story that I had ready before I was about to post what became an updated version (they were teeing up to expel) -
Minnesota Senate Republicans on Thursday will make a motion to expel their colleague Sen. Justin Eichorn following a federal criminal charge accusing him of soliciting sex from someone he thought was 17, but turned out to be an undercover officer. Eichorn, a Republican from Grand Rapids, is charged with attempted coercion or enticement of a minor. Prosecutors said he answered an online ad that was part of an operation targeting sex trafficking by Bloomington police and other law enforcement.
The fallout at the state Capitol was swift following his arrest. Senate Republicans called on him to resign, as did other lawmakers across party lines in both chambers. The GOP caucus reiterated that call on Wednesday afternoon. But on Wednesday night, Senate GOP Leader Mark Johnson said they wouldn't wait for his resignation to act and that they would make a motion to remove him from the chamber during the Senate's floor session Thursday.
"There is no question that these charges merit expulsion," Johnson said in a statement. "We owe it to the public to hold our members to the highest standards, and this violation of the public trust is so severe we must act. It is my hope that this quick resolution gives Senator Eichorn time to focus on his family."
The Senate DFL Caucus on Thursday morning said it would join Republicans in voting to expel Eichorn if necessary. "The details of these charges are inexcusable, and the Senate DFL Caucus calls for Senator Eichorn's immediate resignation," the caucus said in a statement. "There is no place in the Minnesota Senate for someone who engages in such abusive and predatory behavior." A two-thirds majority is required to expel someone. That means 45 members will need to vote yes; Republicans have 33 members and Democrats have 34 members.
= new reply since forum marked as read
they keep missing these child predators in the GOP. Hmm...
Link to tweet
According to the affidavit, this was what Eichorn allegedly wrote after an undercover sting officer told him she was 17 years old:
“Ok will ya send me a naught pic of you to show me your real?”
“Got anything with lot less clothes?”
"Ok and what’s exactly do ya offer at that rate ?"
"Ok how about a pic in just your bra and underwear holding up 2 fingers.”
This is the guy who is behind the introduction of a bill classifying “Trump Derangement Syndrome” as a mental illness.
Throw away the key.
I love this mug shot
