Torrey Westrom


Torrey Westrom is a Minnesota politician and member of the Minnesota Senate. A Republican, he represents District 12, which includes all or portions of Big Stone, Douglas, Grant, Pope, Stearns, Stevens, Traverse and Wilkin counties. He is the first known blind person to be elected to the Minnesota Legislature.

Political career

Westrom has served on several legislative commissions, including the Rural Health Care Advisory Task Force, the Secretary of State's voting equipment task force and the Minnesota Legislative Audit Commission. In 2002, President George W. Bush appointed him to serve a four-year term on a federal advisory panel called the Ticket to Work. The panel advised Congress and the White House on return-to-work programs for people with disabilities.

Minnesota House of Representatives

Westrom is a former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives representing District 11A. He was first elected in 1996 and was re-elected every two years until his run for the Minnesota Senate. Prior to the 2002 legislative redistricting, he represented the old District 13A.

Minnesota Senate

Westrom was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2012.

Run for United States Congress

In December 2013, less than a year into his Senate term, Westrom announced that he would challenge incumbent Collin Peterson in Minnesota's 7th congressional district in 2014. He kicked off his campaign with events in Elbow Lake and Moorhead. He raised over $84,000 in the first month of his campaign. In the November general election, he won 46% of the vote, the highest Republican margin against Peterson since 1990.

Personal life

Westrom and his wife are owners of TSI Real Estate based out of Elbow Lake with properties in Hutchinson, Saint Paul, Madelia and several others.