Senator Paul Utke announced that he will run for re-election to continue serving the residents of Senate District 5 which includes the communities in Hubbard, Becker, Cass, Morrison, Todd and Wadena counties.

“It has been a great honor to serve our area for the past 10 years,” said Senator Utke.  “But the job is not done.  The last three years under the democrat trifecta has put our state in a crisis. We need strong, experienced leadership to get our state on the right track and fight against the far-left metro agenda.

“From the extraordinary amount of fraud, spending the $19 billion surplus into the large budget deficit that is on the horizon, and the rising cost of healthcare and health insurance, we have some very important work to do,” he continued. “I want to help make Minnesota, especially Senate District 5, a great place to live, work, and raise a family.”

While serving in the Minnesota Senate, Utke has been Chair of the Human Services Licensing Policy Committee, Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee, Minority Lead of the Health and Human Services Committee, and Vice Chair of the Human Services Reform Finance and Policy Committee.  

In addition, Utke represents the Senate Republicans on the Workers Compensation Advisory Council, the Minnesota Direct Care and Treatment Advisory Committee, and the Rural Health Advisory Committee.

Utke also represents Minnesota in regional and national organizations.  Currently serving as President of the National Council of Insurance Legislators, State Co-Chair for the American Legislative Exchange Council, and Steering Committee member for the International Legislator’s Forum.

Senator Utke and his wife Nancy have lived in Park Rapids for 32 years.