# Paul Utke *American politician; member of the Minnesota Senate representing District 5* Paul Utke (born December 3, 1956) is an American politician who sits in the [[Minnesota Senate]] for District 5, a seat in northwestern [[Minnesota]].[^1] He belongs to the [[Republican Party of Minnesota]].[^1] He won a Senate seat for the first time in 2016.[^2] Before entering the Senate, Utke worked as an insurance broker and ran a hardware store in Park Rapids for 16 years.[^3] He won election to the Park Rapids City Council in 2008 and has led the Hubbard County Republicans.[^3] ## Early life and career Utke grew up in North Dakota. His date of birth is December 3, 1956.[^3] He works in insurance brokerage, and for 16 years he owned a hardware business in Park Rapids.[^3] Park Rapids voters elected him to the city council in 2008.[^3] He has chaired the Hubbard County Republicans and has sat on the boards of a number of local organizations.[^3] ## Minnesota Senate His first election to the Minnesota Senate came in 2016.[^2] He represents District 5 as a Republican.[^1] ## Personal life Utke lives in Park Rapids with his wife, Nancy. The couple has two children.[^4] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - Paul Utke, born December 3, 1956, Republican member of the Minnesota Senate for District 5.[^1] ### Where - District 5, northwestern Minnesota.[^1] - Residence in Park Rapids.[^4] ### When - Born December 3, 1956.[^1] - Elected to the Park Rapids City Council in 2008.[^3] - First elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2016.[^2] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Paul Utke*, lead section (revision 1365698106, retrieved 2026-10-26) — states his birth date, Republican Party of Minnesota membership, Minnesota Senate membership and representation of District 5 in northwestern Minnesota. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Utke [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Paul Utke*, "Minnesota Senate" section (revision 1365698106, retrieved 2026-10-26) — states that he was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2016. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Utke [^3]: Wikipedia contributors, *Paul Utke*, "Early life and career" section (revision 1365698106, retrieved 2026-10-26) — states his birth date and North Dakota upbringing, insurance-broker occupation, 2008 Park Rapids City Council election, chairmanship of the Hubbard County Republicans, local board service and 16 years as a Park Rapids hardware-store owner. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Utke [^4]: Wikipedia contributors, *Paul Utke*, "Personal life" section (revision 1365698106, retrieved 2026-10-26) — states that he and his wife, Nancy, have two children and live in Park Rapids. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Utke