Jerry Relph

Jerry Relph

Republican Party

Prior offices

Minnesota State Senate District 14

Successor: Aric Putnam

---

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 3, 2020

Jerry Relph (Republican Party) was a member of the Minnesota State Senate, representing District 14. He assumed office in 2017. He left office on December 18, 2020.

Relph (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the Minnesota State Senate to represent District 14. He lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.

On December 18, 2020, Relph passed away from complications related to coronavirus. On November 16, 2020, Relph announced he had tested positive for coronavirus.

Committee assignments

2019-2020

Relph was assigned to the following committees:

• Local Government Committee
• Family Care and Aging Committee, Vice Chair
• Human Services Reform Finance and Policy Committee
• Senate Capital Investment Committee
• Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

Sponsored legislation

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2020

See also: Minnesota State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for Minnesota State Senate District 14

Aric Putnam defeated incumbent Jerry Relph and Jaden Partlow in the general election for Minnesota State Senate District 14 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Aric Putnam (D)	46.4	18,318
		Jerry Relph (R)	45.6	18,002
	Submit photo	Jaden Partlow (Legal Marijuana Now Party)	7.9	3,127
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	41

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 39,488
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Aric Putnam advanced from the Democratic primary for Minnesota State Senate District 14.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Jerry Relph advanced from the Republican primary for Minnesota State Senate District 14.

Legal Marijuana Now Party primary election

The Legal Marijuana Now Party primary election was canceled. Jaden Partlow advanced from the Legal Marijuana Now Party primary for Minnesota State Senate District 14.

2016

See also: Minnesota State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Minnesota State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 9, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was May 31, 2016. Incumbent John Pederson (R) did not seek re-election.

Jerry Relph defeated Dan Wolgamott and Steven Zilberg in the Minnesota State Senate District 14 general election.

Minnesota State Senate, District 14 General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Jerry Relph	47.45%	17,519
	Democratic	Dan Wolgamott	47.07%	17,378
	Libertarian	Steven Zilberg	5.47%	2,021
Total Votes				36,918
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State

Dan Wolgamott ran unopposed in the Minnesota State Senate District 14 Democratic primary.

Minnesota State Senate, District 14 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Democratic	Dan Wolgamott  (unopposed)

Jerry Relph ran unopposed in the Minnesota State Senate District 14 Republican primary.

Minnesota State Senate, District 14 Republican Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Republican	Jerry Relph  (unopposed)

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Jerry Relph did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2016

Relph's campaign website highlighted the following issues:

“ Transportation: We must take a long-term view of our transportation infrastructure. This means we need to develop a comprehensive long range plan that will allow more efficient use of the State’s bonding power to finance needed improvements such as the I-94 corridor between St. Michael and St. Cloud. Budget: We need to control spending so that the tax burden on all people in the District does not present an obstacle to growth. I endorse the use of zero based budgeting as one method to help control the burgeoning cost of State Government. I further believe when budget surpluses exist, all or a substantial part of that money should be returned to the taxpayers. Education: It is important to return to local control to schools and school boards. We must end Common Core to allow teachers to be able to teach to higher standards, not standardize teachers and make them teach to standardized tests. The uniqueness of our schools is a strength, not a weakness and curriculum decisions should be controlled at the local level subject only to rational minimum outcome objectives. Health Care: Health care insurance premiums and deductibles are growing at a rate that far outpaces people’s ability to pay, taking more and more of the income those citizens would otherwise have to spend on improving their lives. While Obamacare must be dealt with at the Federal level, there are things that can be done at the state level to help bring costs under control. Competition across state lines is one step to reducing those costs. Jobs: Small business generates the majority of job growth in Minnesota and across the country. Removing regulatory barriers to the creation and growth of entrepreneurial enterprises and reducing the tax burden placed upon them is critical to producing good, high paying jobs for Minnesotans. ” —Jerry Relph

Campaign finance summary

---

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

---

Jerry Relph campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2020	Minnesota State Senate District 14	Lost general	$122,554	N/A**
2016	Minnesota State Senate, District 14	Won	$63,299	N/A**
Grand total			$185,853	N/A**
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Minnesota

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states.  To contribute to the list of Minnesota scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

2020

In 2020, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from February 11 to May 17. Special sessions were convened: June 12 to June 19; July 13 to July 21; August 12; September 11; October 12 to October 15; and November 12.

• Action 4 Liberty

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

• AFSCME Council 5

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to labor issues.

• Legislative Evaluation Assembly of Minnesota

Legislators are scored on their support for the organization's principles, which it defines as "provid[ing] a basis for a constitutionally limited government established to sustain life, liberty, justice, property rights and free enterprise."

• Minnesota AFL-CIO

Legislators are scored on their votes on labor issues.

• Minnesota Chamber of Commerce

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

• Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus

Legislators are scored on their votes on gun rights.

• National Federation of Independent Business

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

• The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2019

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show].

In 2019, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from January 8 through May 20. Action 4 Liberty Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. AFSCME Council 5 Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to labor issues. Gun Owners Caucus Legislators are scored on their votes on gun rights. Legislative Evaluation Assembly of Minnesota Legislators are scored on their support for the organization's principles, which it defines as "provid[ing] a basis for a constitutionally limited government established to sustain life, liberty, justice, property rights and free enterprise." Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life: Senate and House Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2018

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show].

In 2018, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from February 20 through May 21. Action 4 Liberty Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Legislative Evaluation Assembly of Minnesota Legislators are scored on their support for the organization's principles, which it defines as "provid[ing] a basis for a constitutionally limited government established to sustain life, liberty, justice, property rights and free enterprise." Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life: Senate and House Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues. Taxpayers League of Minnesota Legislators are scored on how they voted on tax and fiscal legislation. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].

In 2017, the Minnesota State Legislature was in session from January 3 through May 22. The legislature held a special session from May 23 to May 26. AFSCME Council 5 Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to labor issues. Legislative Evaluation Assembly of Minnesota Legislators are scored on their support for the organization's principles, which it defines as "provid[ing] a basis for a constitutionally limited government established to sustain life, liberty, justice, property rights and free enterprise." MinnCAN Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to education. Minnesota AFL-CIO Legislators are scored on their votes on labor issues. Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life: Senate and House Legislators are scored on bills related to reproductive health issues. Taxpayers League of Minnesota Legislators are scored on how they voted on tax and fiscal legislation. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

Noteworthy events

Tested positive for coronavirus on November 16, 2020

See also: Politicians, candidates, and government officials diagnosed with or quarantined due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Coronavirus pandemic
Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. Political responses overviewState reopening plansDocumenting America's Path to RecoveryElection changesChanges to vote-by-mail and absentee voting proceduresFederal responsesState responsesState executive ordersStay-at-home ordersMultistate agreementsNon-governmental reopening plansEvictions and foreclosures policiesTravel restrictionsEnacted state legislationState legislative session changesSchool closuresState court closuresInmate releasesLocal government responsesDiagnosed or quarantined politiciansBallot measure changesArguments about government responsesThe 1918 influenza pandemicPandemic Response Accountability CommitteeUnemployment filingsLawsuitsBallotpedia's polling on the coronavirus pandemicSubmit

On December 18, 2020, Relph passed away from complications related to coronavirus. On November 16, 2020, Relph announced he had tested positive for coronavirus.

See also

2020 Elections

What's on the ballot? U.S. President U.S. Congress U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub

Government

Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislators State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards

Newsletters

Coronavirus Weekly Updates Documenting America's Path to Recovery The Heart of the Primaries The Daily Brew The Weekly Brew The Ballot Bulletin Checks and Balances Economy and Society Hall Pass Number of the Day Robe & Gavel Union Station

External links

Suggest a link

• Search Google News for this topic

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by John Pederson (R)	Minnesota State Senate, District 14 2017-2020	Succeeded by Aric Putnam (D)

[show]

Current members of the Minnesota State Senate

Leadership

Senate President:Bobby Champion

Majority Leader:Erin Murphy

Minority Leader:Mark Johnson

Senators

District 1

Mark Johnson (R)

District 2

Steve Green (R)

District 3

Grant Hauschild (D)

District 4

Rob Kupec (D)

District 5

Paul Utke (R)

District 6

Justin Eichorn (R)

District 7

Robert Farnsworth (R)

District 8

Jen McEwen (D)

District 9

Jordan Rasmusson (R)

District 10

Nathan Wesenberg (R)

District 11

Jason Rarick (R)

District 12

Torrey Westrom (R)

District 13

Jeff Howe (R)

District 14

Aric Putnam (D)

District 15

Gary Dahms (R)

District 16

Andrew Lang (R)

District 17

Glenn Gruenhagen (R)

District 18

Nick Frentz (D)

District 19

John Jasinski (R)

District 20

Steve Drazkowski (R)

District 21

Bill Weber (R)

District 22

Rich Draheim (R)

District 23

Gene Dornink (R)

District 24

Carla Nelson (R)

District 25

Liz Boldon (D)

District 26

Jeremy Miller (R)

District 27

Andrew Mathews (R)

District 28

Mark Koran (R)

District 29

Bruce Anderson (R)

District 30

Eric Lucero (R)

District 31

Calvin Bahr (R)

District 32

Michael Kreun (R)

District 33

Karin Housley (R)

District 34

John Hoffman (D)

District 35

Jim Abeler (R)

District 36

Heather Gustafson (D)

District 37

Warren Limmer (R)

District 38

Susan Pha (D)

District 39

Mary Kunesh-Podein (D)

District 40

John Marty (D)

District 41

Judy Seeberger (D)

District 42

Bonnie Westlin (D)

District 43

Ann Rest (D)

District 44

Tou Xiong (D)

District 45

Ann Stewart (D)

District 46

Ron Latz (D)

District 47

Nicole Mitchell (D)

District 48

Julia Coleman (R)

District 49

Steve Cwodzinski (D)

District 50

Alice Mann (D)

District 51

Melissa Wiklund (D)

District 52

Jim Carlson (D)

District 53

Matt Klein (D)

District 54

Eric Pratt (R)

District 55

Lindsey Port (D)

District 56

Erin Maye Quade (D)

District 57

Zach Duckworth (R)

District 58

Bill Lieske (R)

District 59

Bobby Champion (D)

District 60

Doron Clark (D)

District 61

Scott Dibble (D)

District 62

Omar Fateh (D)

District 63

Zaynab Mohamed (D)

District 64

Erin Murphy (D)

District 65

Sandra Pappas (D)

District 66

Clare Oumou Verbeten (D)

District 67

Foung Hawj (D)

Democratic Party (34)

Republican Party (33)