Minnesota legislator enlists in National Guard

Minnesota state Rep. John Lesch has signed up with the Minnesota National Guard to be an infantryman.

The St. Paul Democrat leaves Monday for Georgia's Fort Benning to begin his training, which will run for a few months. The fourth-term lawmaker isn't commenting on the move.

In 2006, Lesch gained attention for taking an unauthorized trip to Iraq.

Maj. Patricia Baker, a Guard spokeswoman, said Lesch will finish his training and return to Minnesota in time for the 2010 legislative session, which begins in February. She said the terms duration and other terms of Lesch's enlistment aren't public.

Baker said she's not aware of any other sitting legislators in Minnesota who are active Guard members.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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