11 Facts About Paul Koering

Paul Koering was born on December 17,1964 and is a Minnesota politician who serves on the County Board of Crow Wing County, Minnesota.

Paul Koering is a former member of the Minnesota Senate from Fort Ripley.

Paul Koering was elected to the Crow Wing County Board in 2012 and re-elected unopposed in 2016; he represents the first district which contains the southern portion of Crow Wing County, including Fort Ripley, Roosevelt Township, Oak Lawn Township and the extreme northeast portion of the city of Brainerd.

Paul Koering was first elected to the senate in 2002, defeating longtime senator and Democrat Don Samuelson, who had been the senate president.

Paul Koering was re-elected in 2006, overcoming both primary and general election opponents.

Paul Koering was a member of the senate's Agriculture and Veterans Committee, the Capital Investment Committee, the Health, Housing and Family Security Committee, and the Higher Education Committee.

Paul Koering served on the Finance subcommittees for the Agriculture and Veterans Budget and Policy Division, for the Health and Human Services Budget Division, and for the Higher Education Budget and Policy Division.

Paul Koering's positions tended to be conservative, including opposition to tax increases, opposition to abortion, support for tougher criminal sentences, and support for broad gun rights, including support for a general right to carry a concealed firearm.

Paul Koering is believed to be the first openly gay Republican elected official in Minnesota, and was the only openly gay Republican member of the Minnesota Legislature to date.

Paul Koering effectively 'outed' himself by breaking from the Republican Party line on a procedural vote in the Minnesota Senate.

Paul Koering drew national criticism for his comments regarding people who have died from drug overdose.