State Sen. Justin Eichorn, right, was arrested Monday in Bloomington. He’s a Grand Rapids Republican. Photo via Senate Media Services.
From a Hennepin County jail cell, Minnesota Sen. Justin Eichorn, R-Grand Rapids, has resigned from the Legislature, Senate Republicans announced Thursday morning.
Eichorn is facing a federal charge of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.
The resignation came moments before the state Senate was expected to expel him during the chamber’s floor session at 11 a.m. That vote is no longer necessary.
Eichorn submitted a letter of resignation to Gov. Tim Walz.
Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, R-East Grand Forks, said in a statement that he confirmed Walz’s receipt and acceptance of the resignation in a phone call with the governor.
“This is the right thing to do for his family and the Senate,” Johnson said. “We are ready to move on and do the important work that needs to be done at the Capitol.”
Eichorn allegedly responded to an online advertisement for sex and agreed to meet a 17-year-old girl in person, but the girl was actually an undercover officer, according to charging documents.
He will make his first appearance in court at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.
Independent Journalism for All
As a nonprofit newsroom, our articles are free for everyone to access. Readers like you make that possible. Can you help sustain our watchdog reporting today?