# Jeff Dotseth *American politician, member of the Minnesota House of Representatives (since 2023)* Jeff Dotseth is a member of the [[Republican Party of Minnesota]] who has sat in the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]] since 2023.[^1] His seat, District 11A in northeastern [[Minnesota]], covers the city of Cloquet, Thomson Township and portions of Carlton, Pine and St. Louis Counties.[^1] Dotseth won the seat in 2022, after losing to the DFL incumbent in 2018 and 2020.[^1] In 2025 he co-sponsored a bill that would classify messenger RNA (mRNA) treatments, including several COVID-19 vaccines, as "weapons of mass destruction".[^1] In 2008 he was charged with abusing his then wife and pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of disorderly conduct. After a newspaper reported on the case in September 2024, DFL leadership called on him to leave his reelection race.[^1] ## Minnesota House of Representatives Dotseth first ran for the seat in 2018 and lost to DFL incumbent Mike Sundin. Sundin defeated him again in 2020.[^1] Sundin then retired, and Dotseth won the 2022 race against DFL nominee Pete Radosevich. He took office in 2023.[^1] He is assigned to the Commerce Finance and Policy Committee and the Housing Finance and Policy Committee.[^1] In 2025 Dotseth was among the co-sponsors of legislation to designate mRNA treatments as "weapons of mass destruction". Under the bill, possessing or administering such treatments would be a crime carrying a sentence of as much as 20 years in prison.[^1] According to the Wikipedia article, a Florida-based hypnotist wrote the bill's text. That person holds that mRNA treatments are "nanoparticle injections" that amount to "biological and technological weapons of mass destruction".[^1] The cited source does not give the bill's number, filing date or legislative disposition.[^1] ## Personal life Dotseth resides in Kettle River, Minnesota. He is married and has three children.[^1] In 2008 Dotseth was charged with abusing the woman who was then his wife. He denied the allegations and entered a guilty plea to a lesser count of disorderly conduct.[^1] In an affidavit, his then wife stated that on several occasions over a period of a decade he had choked, kicked and hit her, and that he had abused their dog.[^1] His stepson also alleged that during violent outbursts Dotseth had punched, choked and hit him.[^1] In September 2024 the [[Star Tribune]] reported on the matter. After that report, DFL leaders urged Dotseth to withdraw from his reelection campaign.[^1] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - Jeff Dotseth, Republican member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, District 11A.[^1] ### What - Co-sponsor of a 2025 bill to classify mRNA treatments, including several COVID-19 vaccines, as "weapons of mass destruction". The bill sets a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.[^1] - Member of the Commerce Finance and Policy Committee and the Housing Finance and Policy Committee.[^1] ### When - 2008: charged with abusing his then wife; pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of disorderly conduct.[^1] - 2018 and 2020: lost House races to DFL incumbent Mike Sundin.[^1] - 2022: won the open seat against DFL nominee Pete Radosevich; took office in 2023.[^1] - September 2024: *Star Tribune* report on the 2008 case; DFL leadership called for him to end his reelection campaign.[^1] - 2025: co-sponsored the mRNA bill.[^1] ### Where - District 11A, northeastern Minnesota: Cloquet, Thomson Township, and parts of Carlton, Pine and St. Louis Counties.[^1] - Residence: Kettle River, Minnesota.[^1] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Jeff Dotseth* (revision 1365604883, retrieved 2026-10-26) — the subject's district, party, elections, committee assignments, 2025 mRNA bill, 2008 charge and plea, and the 2024 reaction. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Dotseth