My name is Mike Ruoho, I was born in the State of Minnesota in 1986. My siblings and I were raised by my single mother. Watching my mother provide for our family taught me an important lesson in hard work and determination. I attended Roseville Area High School, Tartan High School in Minnesota and I attended Dunwoody College of Technology where I majored in Automotive Repair and minored in Business.

Thanks to my mother’s guidance, example, and tenacity, I was able to fulfill my dreams of becoming a business owner.

My background is in managing people, training and solving complex problems within the retail, restaurants, and automotive fields. Prior to owning my own restaurants, I trained employees, managers, executives and managed restaurants while maintaining exceptional guest service. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside some of the best managers, directors, executives and team members in the industry. My experience in these industries has given me an honest work ethic and the drive to achieve a successful career.

Over the past several years, I witnessed the flourishing and suffering of the entire restaurant industry including my own company of restaurants. During the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, I saw the restaurant industry suffer, like many other small business owners suffered throughout the nation with upwards of 10,000 restaurant closures. Working 80+ hours a week, I saw the decline in sales, loss of jobs and loss of patronage for several months. Like many Americans, I've experienced firsthand the failure of the federal government to aid the industries that keep America alive. The government's failure to organize, quickly and properly fund those in need, lack of support and communication during a once in a generation pandemic, demonstrated the need for new leadership. The current democrats, such as Tina Smith put foreign affairs such as the Ukraine war, Israel war and Illegal immigrants before the American people. If I am voted as the next Republican senator for Minnesota, my entire agenda and work ethic will be to put Minnesota, Minnesotans, and American citizens first!

I witnessed firsthand how the government’s slow and neglectful response to the pandemic revealed a critical need for bold leadership and meaningful legislative reform. The American people made it clear that change was necessary when they elected our current President. My goal is to carry that momentum forward — to drive positive, transformative change from within the United States Senate, representing the voices of everyday Minnesotans, Americans, and advocating for real solutions from the inside out representing the great state of Minnesota.

I’m running to fight for small business owners struggling to keep their doors open, and to support low-income families and mothers who worry daily about feeding their children. I’m running to protect women’s rights to make their own medical decisions, to ease the overwhelming tax burden on middle-class Americans, and to lower taxes on small businesses. I will advocate for responsible, commonsense gun safety laws and close dangerous loopholes in firearm sales to keep our communities safe. I will work to secure our border and reform the immigration process so it’s fair, efficient, and guided by due diligence. I will push to limit government spending, reduce the size of government, and lower our national debt—putting us on a path to long-term prosperity.

I know that the skills, values and experiences instilled in me by my mother, my family, and career will allow me to achieve these goals. I will strive to reach bi-partisan legislation, bridge the gap between the aisles, and trust in my team to lead America and Minnesota to a prosperous future. I am Mike Ruoho, and I am running for Senator.

Vote Ruoho for Senator 2026.