Longtime lawmaker Tom Bakk retiring from Minnesota Senate

Ashley Halbach KSTP

Minnesota State Senator Tom Bakk

After 28 years as a Minnesota lawmaker, Tom Bakk (I-Cook) announced Thursday he will be retiring at the end of his term this year.

Bakk is in his sixth term as a Minnesota senator after serving four terms as a Minnesota House Representative. In the Minnesota Senate, Bakk represents District 3, which includes a swath of the northeastern part of Minnesota along the border of Canada and Lake Superior, including part of the Iron Range.

“Representing the people of the Arrowhead region has been one of the greatest rewards of my life, made possible by the support and patience of my family,” Bakk said in a statement. “My heartfelt thanks to my constituents for entrusting me to be their voice at the Capitol for so many years. I have always tried to do my best for the people I’ve served even if it was not always easy or popular with my own political party. The friendships and the memories I have made will carry with me forever.”

Bakk served as Senate Majority Leader from 2013-2016 and Senate Minority Leader from 2011-2012 and 2017-2020. He has also chaired two senate committees. A longtime Minnesota DFL lawmaker, he left the party two years ago.

END OF AN ERA: Independent MN Senator Tom Bakk is retiring after 28 years. He will not seek re-election in 2022. He’s now chair of the Capitol Investment Committee, but previously was the long-time DFL Senate majority and minority leader and a one-time gubernatorial candidate. pic.twitter.com/wmlNEChlEV
— Tom Hauser (@thauserkstp) March 17, 2022

In 2020, Bakk and Sen. Dave Tomassoni (I-Chisholm) both left the DFL and formed the “Independent Caucus,” which they called more bipartisan and moderate.

Bakk and his wife Laura live on Lake Vermilion near Cook, and say they’re looking forward to spending more time with their four children and eight grandchildren.

“Laura and I are looking forward to the next chapter of our lives. It’s with excitement that we journey into the future of more soccer, basketball, baseball, volleyball, football, and hockey, enjoying more time to help and watch our grandchildren learn and grow.”