Minnesota Election Recap 2022

As the election results are being analyzed, one thing is certain – Minnesota did not experience a “red wave” as predicted, in fact you could argue that we experienced a “blue wave.” Read more for the full recap.

Full election results are available on the Secretary of State’s website. A full 2022 General Election Report is available at this link with details on newly elected members of the Minnesota House and Senate. 2022 General Election Report.

Congratulations to our Dakota County Legislators and newly elected officials. We look forward to working with all of you.

Rep. Elect Shane Hudella (R)

Rep. Liz Reyer (D) 52A

Rep. Ruth Richardson (D) 52b

Rep. Rick Hansen (D) 53A

Rep. Elect Mary Frances Clardy (D) 53B   

Rep. Jessica Hanson (D) 55A

Rep. Kaela Berg (D) 55B 

Rep. Robert Bierman (D) 56A

Rep. John Huot (D) 56B           

Rep.Jon Koznick (R) 57A            

REp. Elect Jeff Witte( R) 57B 

Senator Jim Carlson (D) 52   

Senator Matt Klein (D) 53   

Senator Lindsay Port (D) 55 

Senator Electe Erin Maye Quade (D) 56  

Sen. Zach Duckworth (R) 57  

Senator Elect Bill Lieske (R) 58

Senator Elect Judy Seeberger (D) 41 

House And Senate Announce Post-Election Legislative Leaders

As the election and resulting changes shake out, the legislative caucuses announced some of their leadership. The Dakota County Regional Chamber congratulates these leaders-elect:

Minnesota House of Representatives DFL Majority:

Speaker Melissa Hortman (reelected)

Majority Leader Jamie Long

Majority Whip Athena Hollins

Minnesota House of Representatives GOP Minority:

Minority Leader Lisa Demuth

Minnesota Senate DFL Majority:

Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic

President Bobby Joe Champion

Finance Chair John Marty

Tax Chair Ann Rest

Minnesota Senate GOP Minority:

Minority Leader Mark Johnson

Meet our New Dakota County Attorney and Sheriff-Elect Leko

With the election results in, we will meet the new Dakota County Attorney and Sheriff-Elect. Learn about their plans and goals for their new terms. What do they foresee as their initial strategies, and their long-range initiatives. Join us on December 2 for breakfast at Lost Spur Golf & Event Center.

Enjoying a Women’s Luncheon

Chamber members enjoyed great conversations, introduced their business, and answered the question of the day for the November Luncheon held at the new Fairfield Inn and Suites St. Paul Eagan.

Ribbon Cutting – 160 Driving Academy



Join us for a ribbon cutting celebration on November 17 to welcome 160 Driving Academy to the Eagan community. Event starts at 3:00 PM with networking. The cutting of the ribbon will occur at 3:30 PM. 160 Driving Academy is a top truck driving school in the metro area. In just four weeks their instructors prepare their students to enter the workforce with skills, training, and confidence to get behind the wheel and hit the road. 

Ribbon Cutting – Edward Jones



Join us for a ribbon cutting celebration on November 18 at 12:00 PM to welcome Edward Jones - Michael Pender to the Eagan community. Michael’s background as a College of St. Scholastica grad and MN Air National Guard security forces member deployed to Kuwait, equips him to work through complex situations with clients.

Coffee Break - Block Portrait Studios

Start your morning with a cup of coffee and the opportunity to meet and visit with DCR Chamber members. Block Portrait Studios is hosting the November 22 Coffee Break at their West Saint Paul studio. They are a photography studio specializing in custom-designed portrait art and helping small businesses elevate their first impressions in a big way.

Meet the Chamber Orientation Meeting

Are you new to your company and want to learn about the DCR Chamber, find out what it has to offer, and how it interacts with local businesses? Join us at the Meet the Chamber orientation meeting for new and prospective members on Wednesday, November 30. Register here.

Holiday Luncheon - Celebrating Nonprofits

We will be celebrating nonprofits in our community. Join us on December 6 for the annual Holiday Luncheon at the Rosemount Community Center. Hear touching messages from the nonprofit organizations, meet with them at the display tables, hear the Rosemount High School Choir sing festive songs of the season, and network with other members.

Nonprofits currently joining us:

• 360 Communities
• Dakota Child and Family Clinic
• DARTS
• Eagan Community Foundation
• East Metro Strong
• Kids ‘n Kinship
• Living Well Disability Services
• MRCI
• The Open Door

Thank you to our sponsors

New Members

Great Northern Builders, LLC

3320 Terminal Drive 

Eagan, MN 55121

651-455-9371

For more information on becoming a member or sponsorships, contact Laura Roehl at lroehl@dcrchamber.com or 952-300-1734.

Renewed Members

Imagine IT – 1 year

Thomson Reuters – 40 years

Inbound Studio LLC – 5 years

If you have any questions or concerns about your membership renewal, contact Anna Schueler at aschueler@dcrchamber.com or 651-288-9204.

Hurry! Secure Your Business Resource Guide Ad!

The DCR Chamber has partnered with MetroMedia Publishers to publish the 2023 Dakota County Community & Business Resource Guide. Ad sales for the guide end December 1 – you don’t want to miss out on being included in the new design with digital and interactive pages, plus, the printed guides delivered to local businesses. Contact DeDe Harmell at 417-850-4670 or dharmell@metromediapublishers.com.

What is a Chamber of Commerce?

A chamber of commerce is focused on a local community and focused on local businesses. Overall, a chamber is an association of business leaders that allows mutual promotion and protection of the interests of their businesses. A chamber of commerce helps businesses band together and come up with ways to better market their products and services. They form a collective to address important concerns and issues for the business community.



As a business, joining a chamber of commerce can be a good choice for a variety of reasons: 1) Increased exposure, 2) Networking opportunities, 3) Better understanding of business community concerns, 4) More credibility, 5) Increased marketing potential, 6) Stronger voice in local decision-making.

GLOW Holiday Festival at CHS Field

This dazzling walk-through holiday experience at the St. Paul Saints field is set to feature over a million lights, illuminated trees, interactive displays, full ballpark food and beverage options, and other festive attractions. Plan a visit November 23 – January 1. Tickets now on sale.

Farmington’s Holiday Lights Tour Registration is Open 

Farmington’s Parks and Recreation is hosting its second annual Holiday Lights Tour from December 12-25 featuring holiday festive houses. Residents can sign up their houses for the tour to showcase their holiday-themed lawn and house decorations. Register here.

Dakota County Back to Work Program

Dakota County’s Social Services Department has a program which provides a $2,000 incentive to businesses that hire individuals with disabilities. Any individual receiving Dakota County disability waiver or Rule 185 case management services is eligible. The incentive payment is made if the employee completes one of the following: 40 hours of work, one month of employment, or five completed work shifts. Learn more. 

Learn About Registered Apprenticeship

Hear directly from apprenticeship experts on November 17 for Women in Apprenticeship Day. It is for school counselors, educators, and students. See apprenticeship in action as tradeswomen apprentices give virtual trade demonstrations.

Check out upcoming DCR Chamber events on our online calendar!

Update Membership Files, Company Changes, Post your News, Hot Deals, and Job Openings

Log in by entering your username (email) and password to gain access to your company's member site to update information and take advantage of all the marketing tools included with your membership.