Chris Gerlach Won't Seek Re-Election to Minnesota Senate

Sen. Chris Gerlach (R-District 37), of Apple Valley, announced in a press release Monday that he won't seek re-election in the fall.

Gerlach has served eight years in the Minnesota Senate representing Rosemount, Apple Valley and part of Burnsville; he was a state representative during the six years prior.

Gerlach said in the release that he wants to give more attention to his business and spend more time with his wife and two children.

“While serving in the Legislature is truly an honor and privilege, the family and financial sacrifices are great,” he said in the release. “Now is the time to reassess my personal priorities.”

He said in the release that he plans to remain active in the community and Republican politics.

Gerlach, currently the chairman of the state Senate's Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee, has in the past served as an assistant majority leader and majority whip, the release says.

Late last week, media outlets including Politics in Minnesota and the Star Tribune reported that Gerlach could face an ethics complaint after his bulk-mailing company, Capitol Direct, printed and distributed literature from political group Freedom Club asking other Republican senators to support putting the proposed right-to-work constitutional amendment question on the November ballot.