ROCHESTER, Minn. – In-the-know Republicans knew it was coming. Now it’s official. State Senator Dave Senjem announced he will not seek a seventh term. He is 79. Senjem has been a moderate and centrist Republican in the Sensate. He was called open-minded even in hyper-partisan times. He championed environmental and women’s causes and favored marijuana legalization. His political career began with five years on the Rochester City Park Board. He was on the Rochester City Council from 1992 to 2002. For a living he was Mayo Clinic’s environmental affairs officer. In the Senate he became majority leader in 2010, when Republicans had their first majority in 38 years. Senjem said he has no immediate plans for retirement but hopes to remain active in public policy.

Verbatim

Senjem: “Representing Olmsted and Dodge counties in the Minnesota Senate has been an unbelievable honor and pleasure. I will forever feel I was able to represent the greatest communities and the most incredible people on the face of the earth.”

Senjem. Elected from Senate District 25, which encompasses northern Rochester and parts of of Dodge and Olmsted counties