12 House members bow out
A dozen Minnesota House members, including one surprise, pulled the plug on their legislative careers early Monday morning, giving farewell speeches on the floor after the Legislature adjourned for the year.
Rep. Bud Heidgerken, R-Freeport, stunned colleagues by annoucing his retirement. The other 11 had disclosed their decisions earlier.
Eight Republicans and four DFL House members will not seek re-election next fall. DFLers outnumber Republicans in the House 85-25, so the GOP retirements will make it even tougher for their party to close the gap.
In addition to Heidgerken, those retiring are:
Republicans:
Rep. John Berns, Wayzata.
Rep. Chris DeLaForest, Andover.
Rep. Brad Finstad, Comfrey.
Rep. Dennis Ozment, Rosemount.
Rep. Erik Paulsen, Eden Prairie.
Rep. Connie Ruth, Owatonna.
Rep. Dean Simpson, Perham.
Rep. Kathy Tingelstad, Andover.
DFLers:
Rep. Scott Kranz, Blaine.
Rep. Frank Moe, Bemidji.
Rep. Aaron Peterson, Appleton.
Rep. Neva Walker, Minneapolis.
