Lippert will not run for re-election

Residents of Northfield and the surrounding area will have a new voice in the Minnesota House of Representatives next year after Rep. Todd Lippert (DFL-Northfield) announced Thursday he will not seek re-election this November.

The two-term DFLer said in a statement that he plans to finish his current term, working with the people in his district, 20B, to “achieve as many wins as possible” during the 2022 legislative session that begins Jan. 31.

Rep. Todd Lippert

“I have given my professional life to creating healthy, vital, and compassionate rural communities, said Lippert, who is an ordained pastor. “I ran for office because I care about rural people and want us to see the needs we share in common across race and geography.”

Lippert said there are “practical matters” for his family that contributed to the decision. In the release, he also cited the “growing national conversation about how Democrats can better connect with people in rural communities” and said he would like to take part in that effort.

[WATCH: Rep. Lippert's 2019 new member interview]

“For the sake of our democracy, we need to be able to build trust with people in rural communities and invite them to stand with us,” Lippert said. “I feel a sense of urgency about giving more of my time to this particular work.     

“I am grateful for my district and my community for allowing me to serve them for these two terms,” he said. “It has been a joy and an honor.”

Lippert currently serves on the agriculture, environment and natural resources, and climate and energy committees and the Behavioral Health Policy Division.

He is the seventh member to announce they do not intend to seek re-election to the House in 2022.