Sen. Warren Limmer, the long-serving Republican from Maple Grove, is calling it a career. He announced Monday that he will retire and will not seek another term after this year, setting up an open contest for the northwest Twin Cities Senate seat he has held through multiple redistricting cycles.
As reported by MPR News, Limmer said he plans to finish his current term but will not file for reelection in 2026. The story was written by reporter Dana Ferguson.
Per the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library compilation of retirements for the 2025–2026 biennium, Limmer's announcement is logged with an entry dated Feb. 1, 2026. The library's roster groups Limmer with several other senators who have said they will step down at the end of the term.
Long tenure and judiciary focus
For more than three decades, Limmer has been a fixture at the Capitol. He first won a special election in 1995 and has been continuously reelected since then. According to the Minnesota Senate Republicans, he has served as the lead Republican on the Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee and has frequently pushed public-safety priorities.
What his departure means locally
Limmer represents Senate District 37, a northwest-suburb district that includes Maple Grove and nearby communities, and his legislative record includes chairing judiciary panels and sponsoring public-safety measures. His first election in a 1995 special election and decades of committee work are documented in the state's legislator database, according to the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library.
With Limmer pledging to serve out his current term, the seat will be on the 2026 ballot and is likely to draw attention from both parties as they recruit candidates. Expect filing and early campaigning to pick up in the months ahead as the primary season approaches.
