Legislative retirements: The List
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I've been trying to track the list of lawmakers who aren't running for their current legislative seat. Some lawmakers have said they aren't running again. Others decided to run for higher office. Others have been "retired" through redistricting or endorsement battles. I also included paired incumbents because one of them will be "retired" by the voters in November.
Here's The List...
Minnesota Senate
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Retirements:
Keith Langseth, DFL-Glyndon
Doug Magnus, R-Slayton
Al DeKruif, R-Madison Lake
Amy Koch, R-Buffalo
Gen Olson, R-Minnetrista
Geoff Michel, R-Edina
Claire Robling, R-Jordan
Chris Gerlach, R-Apple Valley
Linda Higgins, DFL-Minneapolis (is running for Hennepin County Commissioner)
Incumbents who lost endorsement battles and aren't running again:
Michael Jungbauer, R-East Bethel (Lost to Sen. Michelle Benson, R-Ham Lake)
Ken Kelash, DFL-Minneapolis (Lost to Melissa Halverson Wiklund)
Mary Jo McGuire, DFL-Falcon Heights (Lost to Sen. John Marty, DFL-Roseville)
Senate incumbents who are leaving seat to run for higher office:
Gretchen Hoffman, R-Vergas (Lost CD7 endorsement to Lee Byberg)
Mike Parry, R-Waseca (Seeking CD1 endorsement)
Incumbents who didn't receive endorsement but may run in a primary:
John Harrington, DFL-St. Paul
(Note: DFL delegates voted not to endorse after several ballots)
Incumbents paired with an incumbent from another party:
John Carlson, R-Bemidji, is paired with Tom Saxhaug, DFL-Grand Rapids.
Lyle Koenen, DFL-Clara City, is paired with Sen. Joe Gimse, R-Willmar.
(Note: Koenen won a special election this week to replace the late Gary Kubly)
Minnesota House
Retirements:
Mark Murdock, R-Ottertail
Bill Hilty, DFL-Finlayson
Larry Hosch, DFL-St. Joseph
Denise Dittrich, DFL-Champlin
Kate Knuth, DFL-New Brighton
Pat Mazorol, R-Bloomington
Nora Slawik, DFL-Maplewood
John Kriesel, R-Cottage Grove
Mark Buesgens, R-Jordan
Mindy Greiling, DFL-Roseville
Incumbents who lost endorsement battles and aren't running again:
Ron Shimanski, R-Silver Lake (lost to Glenn Gruenhagen, R-Glencoe)
Carol McFarlane, R-White Bear Lake (lost to Matt Dean, R-Dellwood)
Update: McFarlane told me she's "weighing all options" when asked if she's thinking about running in a primary.
Marion Greene, DFL-Minneapolis (lost to Frank Hornstein, DFL-Minneapolis)
House incumbents who lost endorsement but may run in a primary:
Tom Tillberry, DFL-Fridley
(Note: DFL delegates endorsed former Rep. Connie Bernardy over Tillberry)
Incumbents running for another office:
Kent Eken, DFL-Twin Valley (Running for MN Senate)
Torrey Westrom, R-Elbow Lake (Running for MN Senate)
Bruce Anderson, R-Buffalo (Running for MN Senate)
Mary Kiffmeyer, R-Big Lake (Running for MN Senate)
Connie Doepke, R-Orono (Running for MN Senate)
Branden Peterson, R-Andover (Running for MN Senate)
Bev Scalze, DFL-Little Canada (Running for MN Senate)
Keith Downey, R-Edina (Running for MN Senate)
Kurt Bills, R-Rosement (Running for U.S. Senate)
Bobby Joe Champion, DFL-Minneapolis (Running for MN Senate)
Incumbents paired with an incumbent from the other party:
Larry Howes, R-Walker, is paired with John Persell, DFL-Bemidji.
Carolyn McElfatrick, R-Deer River, is paired with Tom Anzelc, DFL-Balsam Township.
