Senate Republicans have filed a formal ethics complaint against Senate President Bobby Joe Champion (DFL-Minneapolis).

It cites concerns about conflicts of interest regarding Champion’s outside work as a private attorney.

Read the complaint here.

Senate Republicans are calling this a “deeply troubling case” as Champion is now stepping aside from his role as chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee. Champion is adamant there was no conflict of interest. 

The relationship between Champion and Reverend Jerry McAfee is at the center of the new ethics complaint.

It cites concerns detailed in a Minnesota Reformer report about his role as a legislator and a private attorney after he authored bills in 2023 and 2025 to secure taxpayer dollars for 21 Days of Peace, which was led by McAfee and is also Champion’s former client.

“I think it’s time to clean up Minnesota politics,” said Andy Brehm, Republican strategist.

Sen. Michael Kreun (R – Blaine) and Senate Republicans released the following statement:

“This is a clear and deeply troubling case of a public official using their legislative position to potentially benefit their private legal clients,” Kreun said. “With what we know, at a minimum this is a conflict of interest that warranted disclosure. At worst, it’s an abuse of public office for personal and professional gain.”

“Public trust is the foundation of our democracy. If legislators are allowed to advocate for legislation benefiting their clients without disclosing those relationships, it sets a dangerous precedent,” Kreun said. “We urge the Ethics Subcommittee to take this complaint seriously and act swiftly to protect the integrity of the Senate and make clear that both the Senate Rules and Code of Ethics apply to everyone.”

Brehm agrees. “This is a blatant conflict of interest from the head of the Senate Ethics committee.”

Senator Champion responded to the formal ethics complaint on Friday:

“I am aware that the Republicans have filed an ethics complaint based upon the same facts for which I voluntarily sought an advisory committee from the Senate Subcommittee on Ethical Conduct. To allow this process to move forward, I’ve also asked to temporarily step aside from my role as chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee until this situation is resolved.

“I was not paid for the legal work in question, and have a practice of not charging churches that ask me for legal support or advice. The Supreme Court encourages lawyers to provide pro bono services as a part of our practice. Our conflict of interest rules cover situations that directly and financially benefit individual legislators. Because my work in this matter occurred in the past, and was unpaid, there was no potential conflict to disclose.”

Former DFL State Sen. Ember Reichgott Junge also served as chair of the Ethics Committee, and she reviewed eight different complaints in her six years.

“I would always advise my colleagues to disclose; that is always the better route,” said Reichgott Junge.

Reichgott Junge says in Champion’s case, they’ll first have to find probable cause, then an investigation could follow.

“In this case, he wasn’t paid so it might not be a real conflict of interest but it is the perception of conflict of interest that is so difficult for the public to accept,” Reichgott Junge said.

DFL Sen. Sandy Pappas is now stepping into the role as chair of the Ethics Committee.

DFL Senate Leader Erin Murphy supported Senator Champion, who asked himself for the Senate Ethics Committee for an advisory opinion.

“I think it was really wise of Senator Champion to ask for that advisory analyst,” Murphy said.

Lawmakers leave the Capitol on Friday to begin a week-long holiday break. The ethics committee isn’t scheduled to meet before the break.

Watch 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS Reporter Eric Chaloux’s story from the day before the ethics complaint was filed: