# Warren Limmer *Minnesota state senator (Republican) representing the 37th District* Warren E. Limmer (born January 24, 1955) is a Republican member of the [[Minnesota Senate]] from [[Minnesota]].[^1] As of the source's October 2026 retrieval, he represents the 37th District, which covers parts of Hennepin County in the northwestern Twin Cities metropolitan area. He sits as a member of the [[Republican Party of Minnesota]].[^1] Before moving to the Senate, he served in the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]].[^1] In 1998 he ran for the Republican endorsement for [[Minnesota Secretary of State]], and the endorsement went to [[Mary Kiffmeyer]].[^1] Limmer wrote the constitutional amendment on the 2012 Minnesota ballot that would have barred same-sex marriage.[^1] Voters defeated it in the 2012 election by six percentage points.[^2] In May 2013 Governor [[Mark Dayton]] signed a bill legalizing [[Same-sex marriage in Minnesota|same-sex marriage]] in the state.[^3] ## Early life, education, and career Limmer earned an associate degree (A.A.) at [[North Hennepin Community College]].[^4] He earned a bachelor's degree (B.A.) in criminal justice studies at [[St. Cloud State University]]. Before entering the Legislature, he was employed as a corrections officer.[^4] He previously sat on two local bodies, the Hennepin County Corrections Advisory Commission and the Crystal Human Rights Commission.[^4] As of the source's retrieval, his occupation is listed as real estate agent.[^4] ## Minnesota Legislature Limmer won his first House race in 1988, in what was then House District 48A. He won again in 1990, 1992 and 1994, and the 1992 redistricting renumbered the district as 33B.[^5] He entered the Senate in February 1995 through a special election. The election filled the seat vacated by Senator Patrick McGowan, who stepped down after winning election as [[Hennepin County Sheriff]].[^5] The source, retrieved in October 2026, states that he has won every reelection since.[^5] His Senate leadership posts have included assistant minority leader and assistant majority leader.[^6] He has also chaired the Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee. The source lists his legislative interests as criminal justice, public education, safe-school legislation, economic development and tax reform.[^6] On April 27, 2011, Limmer filed a bill to put a proposed amendment to the [[Minnesota Constitution]] before voters by referendum. The amendment would have prohibited same-sex marriage.[^2] The bill passed. In the 2012 election, voters defeated the amendment by six percentage points.[^2] In the following session, Senator [[Scott Dibble (politician)|Scott Dibble]] and Representative [[Karen Clark (American politician)|Karen Clark]] filed bills to legalize same-sex marriage.[^3] The House approved legalization by a vote of 75–59. A few days later, after floor debate, the Senate approved it by a vote of 37–30.[^3] Governor Dayton signed the Dibble–Clark bill on May 14, 2013, before a crowd of 7,000 on the Capitol Mall in St. Paul.[^3] The signing made Minnesota the 12th state to legalize same-sex marriage.[^3] According to the Wikipedia article, Limmer opposes universal background checks for gun purchases.[^7] The article also states that, as chair of the Senate Judiciary's public safety committee, he has declined to permit hearings on gun-safety legislation.[^7] ## Personal life Limmer lives in Maple Grove with his wife, Lori. The couple have three children.[^8] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia, *Warren Limmer* (revision 1365798755, retrieved 2026-10-26) — birth date, Senate seat and district, party affiliation, prior House service, 1998 Secretary of State endorsement bid, and authorship of the 2012 amendment. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Limmer [^2]: Wikipedia, *Warren Limmer* (revision 1365798755, retrieved 2026-10-26) — April 27, 2011 referendum bill, its passage, and the amendment's six-point defeat in the 2012 election. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Limmer [^3]: Wikipedia, *Warren Limmer* (revision 1365798755, retrieved 2026-10-26) — Dibble and Clark bills, House vote of 75–59, Senate vote of 37–30, and May 14, 2013 signing by Governor Dayton. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Limmer [^4]: Wikipedia, *Warren Limmer* (revision 1365798755, retrieved 2026-10-26) — education, corrections employment, prior commission service and current occupation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Limmer [^5]: Wikipedia, *Warren Limmer* (revision 1365798755, retrieved 2026-10-26) — House elections from 1988 to 1994, the 1992 redistricting, the February 1995 special Senate election, and his reelections since. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Limmer [^6]: Wikipedia, *Warren Limmer* (revision 1365798755, retrieved 2026-10-26) — Senate leadership posts, committee chairmanship and listed legislative interests. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Limmer [^7]: Wikipedia, *Warren Limmer* (revision 1365798755, retrieved 2026-10-26) — statements on background checks and gun-safety hearings. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Limmer [^8]: Wikipedia, *Warren Limmer* (revision 1365798755, retrieved 2026-10-26) — residence and family. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Limmer