Minnesota lost a respected statesman last month with the sudden passing of Republican State Sen. Bruce Anderson at the age of 75. A proud U.S. Navy veteran who served in the Vietnam War, Anderson spent more than 30 years in the Minnesota Legislature championing the values of service, faith, and community.

First elected to the Minnesota House in 1994, Anderson won a seat in the State Senate in 2012, representing Wright County along with parts of Hennepin and Meeker counties.

“Bruce was a dedicated public servant, loving family man, and dear friend to many at the Capitol and in Buffalo,” said Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson (R-East Grand Forks). “We offer our condolences and prayers for comfort for the entire Anderson family.”

Anderson and his wife, Ruth, made their home in Buffalo and were blessed with eight children and 14 grandchildren. Raised on a dairy farm, Anderson brought his agricultural roots to the Capitol, where he focused on issues such as farming, veterans’ affairs, broadband access, and public safety.

Senate Democrats also honored Anderson’s decades of service. Majority Leader Erin Murphy (D) called him “a great champion for farmers, veterans, and service members,” praising his kindness and dedication.

After high school, Anderson enlisted in the Navy, later serving in both the Minnesota Air National Guard and the U.S. Air Force Reserve. Former Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch (R) remembered him as both a mentor and a friend, crediting him with “changing hearts and minds through hard work and lots of conversation” in a district once considered a Democrat stronghold.

Governor Tim Walz (DFL) is expected to call a special election to fill Anderson’s seat — as well as that of former DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman, who, along with her husband, was fatally shot last month in what authorities say was a politically motivated attack.

The loss of Senator Anderson comes at a turbulent moment for Minnesota politics. Just days before his passing, Democratic state Sen. Nicole Mitchell was convicted of felony burglary for breaking into her stepmother’s home in April 2024.

Mitchell claimed she was trying to retrieve belongings of her late father, saying her stepmother suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. A jury rejected her defense, finding her guilty in a case that drew bipartisan calls for her resignation. She faces between six months and 20 years in prison.

“Senator Mitchell has told colleagues that she intended to resign if found guilty of this crime, and I expect her to follow through on that pledge,” Murphy said after the verdict.

Mitchell’s conviction and the shocking deaths of top state leaders have left Minnesota’s political landscape in upheaval, ensuring that the coming special elections will be closely watched.