ST. PAUL – Rep. Mark Anderson, R-Lake Shore, has announced he will not seek a third term in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
The professional pilot and microbrewery entrepreneur with a black belt in karate has represented District 9A – encompassing portions of Wadena, Todd, and Cass counties – since being elected in 2012. He will step away from the House when his current term expires at the end of 2016.
"I will have served four years in the House and it's time to move on and let someone else take the wheel," Anderson said. "This decision comes down to wanting to spend more time with family and giving more attention to the three companies I am running with my wife, Barb."
Anderson's niche in the House has been as an advocate for responsible spending, business growth to expand the workforce and taxpayer protection. He also is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and successfully authored a bill to repeal the Minnesota prohibition of firearm suppressor possession.
"The suppressor bill created some waves, but it was gratifying to see good government prevail once we cut through the misinformation and Hollywood sensationalism," Anderson said. "The fact is it is a good law and people now have a tool to protect their hearing. I guess you could say I had the public's ear on that one."
Anderson said he will remain active on the political scene even after leaving the House. He is, after all, a second-generation legislator, following his father, Don Anderson, who served in the Minnesota Senate from 1982-1990.
"It has been a true honor to represent the people of our area at the House," Anderson said. "The people I have met, the relationships I have established, and the support I have received over the years, it all has been very humbling. If I learned anything from my dad, it was to stay true to my principles and to the people who sent me to St. Paul. I can walk away with peace of mind knowing I did exactly that. I look forward to whatever it is the next chapter in life brings, not ruling out other future political aspirations."
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