Minnesota State Sen. Jim Abeler, R-Anoka, announced on Tuesday that he is running for another term in the Minnesota Senate. Abeler represents District 35 in the Minnesota Senate which encompasses all of Anoka, most of Coon Rapids, and a portion of Andover.
“It’s official,” wrote Abeler. “I am running for re-election to the MN Senate in 2026.”
In 2022, Abeler won reelection to the seat by just 186 votes out of more than 34,000 votes cast. Given the razor-thin margin in the previous election, Senate District 35 is considered a toss-up district and will likely be a closely contested seat when the 2026 Minnesota Senate elections roll around.
“This year’s election makes it clear that Minnesotans want leaders who are capable of working across the political divide to get things done for their constituents,” said Abeler. “I have a track record of proven results, bipartisan leadership, and serving people whose voices are too easily drowned out. I am eager to meet with my constituents and earn their support for another term in the Minnesota Senate.”
During his time in the Senate, the Anoka lawmaker has developed a reputation for working across the aisle and focusing on issues relating to long-term care, human services, and healthcare.
“My door, email and phone are always open to all who I can help,” added Abeler, a chiropractor by trade.
A longtime state legislator, Abeler has served in both chambers of the Minnesota Legislature. First elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1998, the Republican lawmaker won reelection to that chamber every two years until 2014 when he ran for a U.S. Senate seat. However, he lost the 2014 U.S. Senate Republican primary election to Mike McFadden.
In Feb. of 2016, Abeler won a special election to the Minnesota Senate. Since then, he has won election to full Senate terms in 2016, 2020, and 2022.
Having served in the Minnesota Legislature for more than 24 years, Abeler is well-known in his north metro district and possess a strong reputation.
In fact, Abeler is the only Republican senator whose Senate District is represented by two Democrats in the Minnesota House of Representatives. House District 35A is represented by Rep. Zach Stephenson, DFL-Coon Rapids, and House District 35B is represented by Rep. Jerry Newton, DFL-Coon Rapids.
Newton opted not to run for reelection this year. In the 2024 election, Democrat Kari Rehrauer won House District 35B and will begin representing the district in Jan.
Rehrauer ran against Abeler in 2022.
Abeler is likely one of the only Republicans who can win this north metro Senate district. In turn, the Republican lawmaker’s decision to seek reelection is a huge boost to Republican chances of holding the toss-up seat and potentially winning a Senate majority.
Back in 2022, Democrats won a 34-33 Senate majority. Following a special election for a vacant Senate seat earlier this month, Democrats again won a 34-33 majority.
Luke Sprinkel
Luke Sprinkel previously worked as a Legislative Assistant at the Minnesota House of Representatives. He grew up as a Missionary Kid (MK) living in England, Thailand, Tanzania, and the Middle East. Luke graduated from Regent University in 2018.
