Paul Koering (born December 17, 1964 in Brainerd, Minnesota) is an American politician from Minnesota. A Republican, he represents the rural area of Fort Ripley, near Brainerd in the Minnesota Senate. He is a liquor store owner and small farmer, as well as a Roman Catholic. He was first elected in 2002, defeating Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Don Samuelson, who had been the Senate president. He was re-elected - overcoming both primary and general election opponents - in 2006. Koering explicitly stated his sexual orientation a week later.