Photo courtesy of Friends for Miller
Jeremy Miller, the chief financial officer of Winona, Minnesota-based Miller Scrap & Disposal, has announced he is not seeking reelection to the Minnesota state senate in next year’s election.
Miller has served as a Republican representing the Winona area since 2010, when he was elected at age 26, making him the second youngest Minnesotan in history to be elected to the state’s senate, according to an announcement made by Friends for Miller.
“After a tremendous amount of thought and discussion with [wife] Janel and the boys, I have made the difficult decision to not seek reelection after my current term ends next year,” Miller says. “Other than marrying my amazing wife and the birth of our three wonderful boys, serving in the Minnesota Senate has been one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences of my life."
Miller is a fourth-generation family member of Miller Scrap & Disposal, formerly known as Wm. Miller Scrap Iron & Metal Co.
The company changed its name in part to reflect its expansion into the municipal solid waste and construction & demolition materials hauling market earlier this decade.
Since 2010, Miller has been reelected four times and will have served 16 years in the state senate.
In 2019, at age 35, Miller became the youngest senator in state history to serve as president of the senate. Other senate leadership roles Miller held include stints as deputy majority leader, senate majority leader and as a committee chair.
Among legislative achievements, Miller cites boosting housing and workforce opportunities for individuals with disabilities, creating the Rare Diseases Advisory Council, improving early childhood learning opportunities, funding mental health services and housing projects, expanding newborn screenings, adding extra protections for first responders, supporting law enforcement, streamlining the college credit transfer process for students, leading the efforts to pass Sunday liquor sales and advocating for targeted tax relief for Minnesotans including seniors, small businesses, veterans and farmers.
His senate office’s announcement says Miler also championed many local projects in his district, including at a high school campus, Winona State University, a veterans cemetery, and a veterans care facility.
“It is also believed that Miller is the only senator in Minnesota, and possibly the country, to save a constituent from drowning in Lake Winona,” the news release says.
“Serving in the senate has been an honor of a lifetime and I’m proud of what I’ve been able to help accomplish for the folks I’m blessed to represent,” Miller adds. “I ran for the Senate because I wanted to help make a difference and being a member of the Senate has given me a great opportunity to be a difference maker.”
During his tenure, he earned the nickname of the “People’s Senator” (including a championship belt he displays in his office) from legislative staff and colleagues because of his strong insistence on doing what’s best for the people, according to his senate office news release.
“While I am not shutting the door on future runs for public office, I am going to take a step back for now," Miller says. "I have spent a lot of time away from home during my time in the Senate, and I’m really looking forward to being home more often. I will continue working to grow the businesses I’m involved in as well as volunteering in the community.
“There tends to be too much ‘I I I and me, me me’ in politics and not enough ‘we and us.’ My philosophy is simple: listen and work together to get things done. It really comes down to determining what the issue is, bringing people together to discuss different ideas and working together on solutions to resolve the issue. It should not be about what is best for a political party, but rather what is best for our community, state and country. It should be all about what is best for the people.
“I am incredibly grateful for the trust and support I’ve received from the constituents I have the opportunity to serve. I am also thankful for the talented staff and fellow legislators I’ve worked with during my time in the senate. I’ve created countless memories and built many wonderful friendships that will extend far beyond my time in the senate.”