Minnesota Sen. Kiffmeyer to retire at end of year

Minnesota State Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer announced Friday that she will retire at the end of the year, rather than seeking reelection.

Kiffmeyer (R-Big Lake) was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2012 after serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2009 through 2011. She also was Minnesota’s Secretary of State from 1999 through 2006.

Her announcement comes after the state’s new legislative maps were released on Tuesday, pairing her in the same district as Sen. Andrew Mathews (R-Princeton), who Kiffmeyer endorsed for the seat. Mathews has served in the state Senate since 2016.

“It has been an honor to be in the legislature and represent my constituents and neighbors. I worked every day to support the district,” Kiffmeyer said in a statement. “I focused on meeting the needs of the region by fighting for millions of dollars to expand I-94, Highway 10 and 169, and protecting the State’s elections by increasing transparency and integrity in the voting process. My focus was always on helping make Minnesota a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

“I want to thank the people of my district for their support. I found immense joy in serving and working for them, in fact, it’s the people of the district I will miss the most. I also want to thank my husband, Ralph, my children, and grandchildren for their support and encouragement over the years. I could not have done this without them.”

“I’ve been serving in government for more than 20 years. And it brings me so much joy to meet new people, hear their concerns, and solve problems together. I plan to stay involved in the state’s political process to support Republicans at every level,” Kiffmeyer added. “That’s why I’m endorsing my friend and colleague Senator Andrew Mathews for the newly formed Senate District 27. Andrew is a fantastic Senator and will serve the district well with his conservative values, his care for his constituents, and his incredible work ethic.”