SENATOR GERLACH ANNOUNCES LEGISLATIVE RETIREMENT

Will end 14 years of legislative service to concentrate on young family, business

 (St. Paul) ­– State senator Chris Gerlach (R-Apple Valley) announced Monday that he will not seek endorsement for re-election at his local convention this weekend. The announcement closes a legislative career that spanned six years in the House of Representatives and eight in the Senate.

Gerlach said the change is prompted by his desire to spend more time with his wife Shelli and children, ages 8 and 10, and to give more attention to his small business.

“While serving in the Legislature is truly an honor and privilege, the family and financial sacrifices are great,” he said. “Now is the time to reassess my personal priorities.”

During his career, Gerlach served in both the Republican minority and majority, and as an assistant majority leader and majority whip. He said he was most proud of the opportunity to serve as the chairman of Senate Commerce Committee: “It has been a great platform in which to promote free-market economics while balancing consumer protections.”

In 2010, as the lead minority party member on elections issues, Gerlach was key to the successful bi-partisan efforts that produced a wide-ranging package of election reforms including administration procedures, absentee ballot reforms, an earlier primary election and changes to campaign finance and reporting rules in the wake of the Coleman-Franken recount of 2008.

Gerlach says he plans to remain active in his local community and in Republican politics. 

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