Republican State Rep. Bernie Perryman will run for a key Minnesota Senate seat that could determine which party controls the upper chamber until 2031. The seat in question, Senate District 14, includes St. Cloud and many of its surrounding communities.
“We need a State Senator who will stand up for our district in St. Paul, advocate for real economic relief for our families and small businesses, and collaborate across party lines to deliver solutions that address our community’s needs,” said Perryman in a press release announcing her candidacy for Senate District 14.
A small business owner, Perryman has served in the Minnesota House of Representatives after she was elected to that chamber in 2022 by just a 1-point margin. Two years later, the Republican legislator won reelection to her House seat by roughly 13 points.
Perryman’s decision to seek Senate District 14 gives the GOP perhaps its best chance to take back a state Senate seat that will be among the most closely-contested in 2026.
District 14 is currently occupied by State Sen. Aric Putnam, a DFLer who first won the seat by narrowly beating Republican incumbent Jerry Relph in 2020. Two years later, Putnam won reelection by five points as the DFL won one-seat majority in the Senate.
Notably, President Donald Trump won the St. Cloud-area seat during the 2024 election.
As such, Senate District 14 is a key pickup opportunity for Republicans seeking to retake control of the Minnesota Senate. In 2026, all 67 seats in the chamber are up for election. The winners of those seats will serve a four-year term that concludes in 2031.
Referencing the divided Minnesota Legislature in her campaign announcement, Perryman said “bringing balance to the State House in 2025 was just the beginning — now we must build on that momentum with real bipartisan progress, because our district demands economic relief, affordability, an end to fraud, and supporting our local businesses.”
“I see you, I hear you, I am you. We can and will be the best place to live, work, and raise a family,” added Perryman.
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.
