Sen. Steve Cwodzinski to retire in 2026
DFL Sen. Steve Cwodzinski, who has represented Eden Prairie and nearby areas since 2017, announced he will not seek reelection in 2026 and will retire at the end of his term. The former civics teacher and current chair of the Senate Education Policy Committee cited his focus on education, democracy, voter access/election security, and environmental protection, and thanked constituents in a statement.
Elections
Local Government
đ Key Facts
- Cwodzinski was first elected in 2016 to Senate District 49 (Eden Prairie/Minnetonka).
- He will serve out his term and not run in 2026, creating an open metro Senate seat.
- He has chaired the Senate Education Policy Committee since 2022 and has advocated on education and environmental issues, including the Boundary Waters.