NW Twin Cities

State Representative Marion Rarick, chair of the House Higher Education Committee, has raised concerns following Governor Tim Walz’s recent appointments to the University of Minnesota Board of Regents. The four new regents were named after the Legislature did not fill vacancies on the 12-member board that oversees the university system.

Rarick pointed out that at least two of the appointees are significant donors to Democratic campaigns. According to reports, one appointee, Samuel Heins, has given over $664,000 to Democratic causes since 1989. This includes $17,300 donated to Walz's campaigns since 2008 and $6,600 to Vice President Harris in 2023.

“I’m deeply disappointed Democrats failed to fulfill their constitutional duty to select University of Minnesota Regents during the 2025 session,” Rarick said. “Not only did they neglect a responsibility they were elected to carry out, but last May 21 – two days after the regular session ended but before the special session occurred – the Democrat higher education chairs sent a secret letter to the governor informing him of their preferred picks for regents.

“This allowed Walz to hand-pick four regents, two of whom never went through the rigorous Regent Candidate Advisory Council process nor legislative vetting. I raised concerns long before last session’s end and confirmed with House staff that the election process was ready to move forward. Instead, Democrats stalled, giving the governor the opportunity to reward political allies rather than appoint candidates chosen through a fair, transparent process. Not one Republican-backed finalist was appointed despite a tied House. This is a blatant example of Democrats using partisan politics to override what’s best for all Minnesotans.”

The appointments follow a legislative deadlock over filling board vacancies. The Board of Regents plays an important role in governing a university system with an annual budget around $5 billion.