Minnesota’s Senate Majority Leader, Jeremy Miller (R-Winona), was profiled by the Council of State Governments (CSG) in the October issue of their Stateline Midwest magazine.

The profile focuses on how Senator Miller’s family values fueled his quick rise to prominent leadership positions in Minnesota government. In particular, CSG highlighted the important role that Sen. Miller’s parents and his cross-country coach at Winona Senior High School, Jim Flim, played in shaping his worldview and his approach to relationships:

“What got Miller through (challenging times): some timeless values passed on by his parents and others,” wrote CSG-Midwest.

“From his father, the longtime mayor of Winona, he learned the importance of continually working on and building relationships. From a high school cross-country coach (Jim Flim), Miller was instilled with the value of perseverance. Last, but not least, there was this message about flexibility and persistence from his mother: ‘If someone says no, try to find a new path to yes.’ Miller says those three lessons, along with a commitment to hard work, respect for others and honesty, helped him crack ‘the bubble.’”

Those values vaulted Sen. Miller to president of the Senate in 2019, making him the youngest senator to ever be elected by his peers to the position. By the end of 2020, he was chosen to be the majority leader of the Minnesota Senate.

“I am grateful to CSG to share some of what I have learned about relationship building and leadership over the years,” Sen. Miller said. “No matter what industry you are in, the key to success is hard work, perseverance, and working together. Those values have always served me well.”

The Council of State Governments is a prestigious nonpartisan association of state officials serving all three branches of government in every American state and territory.

CSG is a region-based, national organization that promotes excellence in state government. CSG fosters the interstate exchange of insights and ideas to help state officials shape public policy, and it offers unparalleled regional, national and international opportunities to network, develop leaders, collaborate and create problem-solving partnerships.