2 state senators, 1 representative announce they won’t seek reelection

Two Minnesota state senators announced Monday morning that they won’t seek reelection in 2026: Rich Draheim (R-Madison Lake) and Steve Cwodzinski (DFL-Eden Prairie).

Rep. Sandra Feist(DFL-New Brighton) also announced she wouldn’t seek reelection.

Sen. Sandy Pappas announced her retirement earlier this month, as have multiple others.

Draheim

Draheim said he decided to end his 10-year term in the Minnesota Senate to give others the chance to serve.

“After careful consideration and discussion with my family, I’ve decided not to seek reelection after my term ends in 2026,” Draheim said. “I believe in term limits, and after 10 years in the Senate, it’s time to give others the opportunity to serve in the legislature. Everyone has something to offer, and there needs to be fresh voices in St. Paul. I’m proud of the things I got done, but I’ll also remember the things that didn’t make it across the finish line and the impact they could have had. My top priorities next session are public safety, addressing rising healthcare costs, and term limits at the Minnesota Legislature.”

Draheim was first elected in 2016 and will have served 10 years by the end of his current term. He has been a leader on several committees: vice chair of the Higher Education Committee, vice chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, chair of the Housing and Homelessness Prevention Committee and co-chair/Republican Lead of the Jobs and Economic Development Committee.

In his tenure in the state senate, Draheim said he has advocated for mental health resources, “solid careers,” affordable homeownership, stable retirement, and small businesses.

Cwodzinski

Cwodzinski announced that he will retire at the end of his current term. He was also first elected in 2016 and will have served for 10 years by the end of his tenure in the state Senate.

Cwodzinski has served as the chair of the Education Policy Committee since 2022 and was previously a civics teacher for over 30 years.

He said he has worked to improve public education, voter access, and safeguard elections. He has also been an advocate for the environment, especially the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

“I still have 12 months to listen and learn from you all,” Cwodzinski said, in part. “Our Constitution begins with the words ‘We the people, in order to form a more perfect union…’  The framers knew we would never be perfect, but we should never stop striving to be perfect. That is what I hope to do.  We the people, together we can solve a few pieces of the puzzle and together leave Minnesota a more perfect union.”

Feist

Feist announced later Monday morning that she would retire from the Minnesota House of Representatives at the conclusion of her current term. She was first elected in 2020.

“It has been an honor of a lifetime to serve as a State Representative for the communities of New Brighton, Columbia Heights, and St. Anthony,” she said. “I have found the experience of public service to be truly meaningful. Since I first ran for office, my circle expanded dramatically. I’m a better, more thoughtful person as a result. From the dedicated DFLers who welcomed me as a new face in local politics to the community members who chatted with me at the Capitol, in coffee shops, the grocery store, and my kids’ school events about the issues on their minds, I have learned from you and appreciate your partnership in informing my legislative work.” 

In her time as a state representative, Feist’s passions have included the Student Data Privacy Act, restorative justice, bipartisanship, and supporting immigrants.

Feist said she plans to return to her work as an immigration attorney after her tenure in the state house.
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