# Cal Bahr *Minnesota state senator (Republican) representing District 31 since 2023* Calvin K. Bahr (born July 17, 1962) is a Republican member of the [[Minnesota Senate]]. Since 2023 he has represented District 31, in the northern part of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Outside the Legislature he has worked as a businessman and a truck driver. He belongs to the [[Republican Party of Minnesota]].[^1] Before he moved to the Senate, Bahr represented District 31B in the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]]. He was first elected in 2016 and won again in 2018 and 2020.[^2][^3] In December 2018 he was one of four House members who split from the Republican caucus to form the New House Republican Caucus.[^2] He won the Senate seat in 2022, after Michelle Benson's retirement left it open.[^4] ## Career Bahr was in the United States Army from 1980 to 1989. He also sat on the board of the Upper Rum River Water Management Organization.[^5] ### Minnesota House of Representatives Bahr first won a House seat in 2016. He secured the Republican endorsement against the sitting representative, Tom Hackbarth, and then beat Hackbarth in the party primary.[^2] District 31B voters returned him to the House in 2018 and again in 2020.[^2][^3] On December 7, 2018, Bahr and three other House members quit the GOP House Caucus and set up the New House Republican Caucus. Wikipedia's article gives dissatisfaction with the House Republican leadership as the reason.[^2] According to the same article, the new caucus has put forward bills centered on constitutional issues and a budget proposal of its own.[^2] ### Minnesota Senate When Michelle Benson retired from the District 31 Senate seat in 2022, Bahr ran for it. He took 78.6% of the vote in the Republican primary. He then beat Jason Ruffalo, the Democratic nominee, in the general election.[^4] Bahr received 25,705 votes (63.7%) and Ruffalo, listed as DFL, received 14,585 (36.2%).[^3] Wikipedia's article states that Bahr is considered "one of the Senate's farthest-right members."[^4] During the 2023 legislative session, video from a vote showed Bahr casting his vote from a bed without a shirt. A party spokesperson said Bahr had been driving his truck for work until 4:45 a.m. the night before that vote.[^4] ## Electoral history The results below are as listed in the Wikipedia article.[^3] - **2022 Minnesota Senate race, District 31:** Cal Bahr (R), 63.7% (25,705 votes); Jason Ruffalo (DFL), 36.2% (14,585 votes); write-in, 0.1% (22 votes).[^3] - **2020 Minnesota House of Representatives race, District 31B:** Cal Bahr (R), 67.1% (17,447 votes); Susan Larson (DFL), 32.8% (8,532 votes); write-in, 0.1% (22 votes).[^3] - **2018 Minnesota House of Representatives race, District 31B:** Cal Bahr (R), 64.4% (12,840 votes); Susan Larson (DFL), 35.5% (7,080 votes); write-in, 0.1% (18 votes).[^3] - **2016 Minnesota House of Representatives race, District 31B:** Cal Bahr (R), 66.53% (14,785 votes); Susan Larson (DFL), 33.47% (7,438 votes).[^3] ## Personal life Bahr has two daughters from his first marriage. His second wife, Ellen, died in 2020. Between them, Bahr and Ellen had four children and three grandchildren. He lives in East Bethel, [[Minnesota]].[^6] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Cal Bahr* (revision 1373147353, retrieved 2026-10-26), lead section — establishes his birth date (July 17, 1962), his occupations, his Republican affiliation and his Senate service for District 31 since 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cal_Bahr [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Cal Bahr* (revision 1373147353, retrieved 2026-10-26), "Career – Minnesota House of Representatives" — establishes the 2016 election over Tom Hackbarth, the 2018 reelection and the December 7, 2018 formation of the New House Republican Caucus. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cal_Bahr [^3]: Wikipedia contributors, *Cal Bahr* (revision 1373147353, retrieved 2026-10-26), "Electoral history" — establishes the 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2022 general-election vote totals and percentages. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cal_Bahr [^4]: Wikipedia contributors, *Cal Bahr* (revision 1373147353, retrieved 2026-10-26), "Career – Minnesota Senate" — establishes the 2022 open-seat race after Michelle Benson's retirement, the 78.6% primary result, the defeat of Jason Ruffalo, the "farthest-right" characterization and the 2023 vote video with the spokesperson's account. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cal_Bahr [^5]: Wikipedia contributors, *Cal Bahr* (revision 1373147353, retrieved 2026-10-26), "Career" — establishes his Army service from 1980 to 1989 and his membership on the Upper Rum River Water Management Organization board. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cal_Bahr [^6]: Wikipedia contributors, *Cal Bahr* (revision 1373147353, retrieved 2026-10-26), "Personal life" — establishes his family composition, the 2020 death of his wife Ellen and his residence in East Bethel. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cal_Bahr