Brod joins retiring legislator list
State Rep. Laura Brod, R-New Prague, announced today that she will not seek another term in the Minnesota House.
Brod was first elected in 2002. She's serving her fourth term. Here's the message she sent to her District 25A constituents:
Dear Friends,
Over the past 8 years, I've been honored to serve as your State Representative in District 25A.
With your support and encouragement, I focused my efforts on the issues that impacted our daily lives. My efforts were directed to policies that I believed fostered an economic climate that was conducive to job creation and economic growth. I fought against excessive regulations that choke investment in our state and undermine the innovation and creativity of our private sector to generate the type of economic climate we need and demand.
Without your support, I could not have enjoyed the opportunity and the honor to serve that I have had for the past 8 years.
My belief has always been that we are a state that values a citizen legislature, and that there comes a time for other citizens to serve their community.
It is my belief that the time for others to serve in the Legislature for our district has come, and my time to find other challenges and ways to contribute is upon me.
It is in that spirit I announce that I will not be a candidate for re-election in 2010 for the State Legislature in District 25A.
There is a real change going on right now across the country. Finally, perhaps for the first time in thirty years, government is once again hearing from "We the People."
While I will not be running for public office this fall, I have every intention of being involved in public policy in the future. There are many issues in which Democrats, Republicans and Independents can agree upon and many that have great differences; all of which require a conversation to move our nation forward. I hope to be a part of that conversation in some way, and am proud of the friendship I have developed with you and so many others in this great state we call home.
I have a passion to serve, and a strong and resolute belief in the power of the people of Minnesota to build a better state for themselves and their families.
I have been given unbelievable opportunities by you, our party, Governor Pawlenty, and my colleagues in the House Republican Caucus during my tenure. Serving in the minority and the majority, I have seen the importance of every vote and every minute of hard work necessary to ensure prosperity and liberty for our state.
My own parents instilled in me a strong belief that participatory democracy is the cornerstone of our democratic society, and each and every day I served in the Minnesota House of Representatives, I've tried to remember their words of encouragement and support.
We truly do live in a remarkable state and an incredible nation. For a kid from New Prague, Minnesota to have been given the honor to work in our state's capitol, I can't begin to fully express my appreciation for the past 8 years to serve the people of my community. On behalf of my family, I want to thank you for your support and friendship. We have been honored to be a part of the great experience of public service.
I look forward to continuing to stay in touch and to work and support candidates who share our beliefs in a conservative approach to governance. With so much to look forward to in the days, the weeks, the months and years ahead, I am grateful for your friendship and your support over the past 8 years.
Warm Regards,
Laura Brod
Create a More Connected Minnesota
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Brod makes it 18 announced retirements. Here's the full list:
Minnesota House
DFL House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher (running for governor)
DFL Rep. Karla Bigham
DFL Rep. Jeremy Kalin
DFL Rep. Cy Thao
GOP Rep. Rob Eastlund
GOP Rep. Randy Demmer (running for Congress)
GOP Rep. Marty Seifert
GOP Rep. Dan Severson (running for Secretary of State)
GOP Rep. Doug Magnus (running for state senate)
GOP Rep. Paul Kohls
GOP Rep. Tom Emmer (running for governor)
GOP Rep. Laura Brod
Minnesota Senate
DFL Sen. Steve Murphy
DFL Sen. Jim Vickerman
DFL Sen. Tarryl Clark (running for Congress)
GOP Sen. Steve Dille
GOP Sen. Pat Pariseau
GOP Sen. Dennis Frederickson