Sen. Dan Larson to retire

State Sen. Dan Larson, DFL-Bloomington, says he plans to give up his District 63 seat two years early.

Larson announced today he'll leave the Legislature to take a job with a Minneapolis law firm.

He was elected to a four-year Senate term in 2006 after eight years in the Minnesota House. Larson battled cancer during his second House term.

"If you remember in the 2001 session I had a bout with cancer, and a long recovery. And I'm very pleased that none of that has returned. And not at all is this a health-related decision," said Larson.

Larson's retirement is effective Nov. 5, one day after the general election. That means Gov. Tim Pawlenty will have to call a special election to fill the vacant Senate seat.