Minnesota Republican State Senator Bruce Anderson died unexpectedly on July 21 at age 75, ending a legislative career that spanned more than three decades at the State Capitol. Anderson had served in the Minnesota Senate since 2013 and previously represented his district in the House from 1995 to 2012.
Senate Republican Leader Mark Johnson announced Anderson’s death, describing him as “a dedicated public servant, loving family man, and dear friend to many at the Capitol and in Buffalo.”
Anderson represented Senate District 29, which included Wright County and parts of neighboring Hennepin and Meeker counties. During his House tenure, he represented District 19B before redistricting moved him to District 19A from 2003 to 2012. He was first elected to the Minnesota House in 1994 and won reelection every two years through 2010 before successfully running for the Senate.
The longtime legislator grew up as the eldest of eight children on a dairy farm in rural Minnesota. After graduating from high school, Anderson joined the U.S. Navy and served during the Vietnam War from 1970 to 1973. He later served as a Master Sergeant in the Minnesota Air National Guard and the U.S. Air Force Reserves. Anderson attended Willmar Technical College, Crown College, and Northwestern College before entering business and agricultural sales.
At the State Capitol, Anderson focused on issues affecting agriculture, veterans, broadband access, energy policy, rural economic development, and public safety. He chaired various veterans committees in both the House and Senate, drawing on his military service experience. Anderson served on multiple committees, including the House Public Safety Policy and Oversight Committee, Rules and Legislative Administration Committee, and several finance subcommittees covering bioscience, workforce development, capital investment, and energy policy.
Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, a Democrat from St. Paul, served with Anderson in both chambers and praised his collegial approach. Murphy indicated that she will fondly remember him for the way he approached legislative work and treated his colleagues, describing him as a decent and kind colleague who was a dedicated family man. She expressed feeling fortunate to have known and worked with him.
Democratic Governor Tim Walz posted a statement on social media, noting that he and his wife Gwen were sending love to Anderson’s family and friends. Walz characterized Anderson as a steadfast advocate for those who served the nation and said he will be missed in the Senate chamber.
Senate Democrats issued a joint statement calling Anderson’s passing a sad loss for the Senate. Senator Eric Putnam noted that Anderson’s expertise gained through military service and agricultural background made him a great champion for farmers, veterans, and service members at the Capitol. The Democrats indicated they will keep his family and friends in their hearts.
Former Republican Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch, whom Anderson succeeded in the Senate, described him on social media as both a mentor in her first election and her successor. Koch characterized Anderson as someone who changed hearts and minds through hard work and extensive conversation in what was once a DFL-leaning (Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party) district. She emphasized that most importantly, he was her friend.
Anderson was preceded in death by his first wife, Dottie, who died in 2006. He remarried and is survived by his second wife, Ruth, with whom he lived in Buffalo, Minnesota. Together, they had eight adult children and 14 grandchildren. Anderson’s funeral was held on July 28 and was livestreamed.
Governor Walz will call a special election to fill the vacancy left by Anderson’s death. This represents another change in the Minnesota Senate, which has experienced significant upheaval over the past year. Anderson’s seat is considered safely Republican territory, as he defeated his last DFL challenger by approximately 36 percentage points in 2022.
The special election will be one of multiple vacancies Walz must address. Senator Nicole Mitchell announced Monday, July 21, that she will resign within two weeks following a conviction on first-degree burglary and felony possession of burglary tools charges. The Minnesota Senate has also held special elections this year to fill seats vacated by Senator Kari Dziedzic, who died from ovarian cancer in December, and Republican Senator Justin Eichorn, who resigned after being arrested in an underage prostitution sting.