House DFL Leader Thissen to not seek re-election as caucus leader
ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) - State Representative Paul Thissen will not be seeking re-election as Leader of the House DFL Caucus, according to Minnesota House of Representatives communications.
Thissen served as caucus leader for six years. He was first elected in 2002 and is in his eighth term as representative of District 61B.
He released the following statement:
“I am grateful to my colleagues and Minnesotans for giving me the chance to lead the caucus for the last six years. It has been one of the greatest privileges of my life to lead our caucus and to build a better future for our state.
Many of my colleagues have encouraged me to seek re-election as our caucus leader. I thank them for the confidence they have placed in me. However, six years is a long time - the longest period a DFL leader has served since my great political hero, Martin Olav Sabo. And after six years, I've decided that I will not be seeking to continue in my role as caucus leader when we reconvene in January. It is time for new voices in leadership to emerge.
I will continue to do my part in the vitally important work ahead - to heal our divisions and address the real frustration felt by so many of our fellow Minnesotans. We must rededicate ourselves to our work of building a more fair, more inclusive Minnesota and a government that is more responsive to and respectful of all our constituents.”