ST. PAUL – State Representative Bob Dettmer (R-Forest Lake) announced today that he will not seek re-election to the Minnesota House of Representatives this November.
Dettmer represents Minnesota House District 39A, which consists of the cities of Stillwater, Forest Lake, Marine on St. Croix, Scandia, Shafer, as well as Franconia, Stillwater, and May townships.
"I'd like to thank the citizens in House District 39A for their support over the years and for the opportunity to represent their interests in St. Paul," Dettmer said. "It has truly been an honor and a privilege, but after 16 years of being in the political arena I am ready to spend more time with my family.”
First elected in 2006, Dettmer – a retired educator and chief warrant officer in the U.S. Army Reserve who was deployed for two years serving in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom – quickly became a leading advocate for veterans’ affairs in the Minnesota House. Dettmer served on the Minnesota House Veterans and Military Affairs Committee during each of his terms, as its chairman from 2015-2018, and as the Republican Lead in 2009-2010, 2013-2014, and 2019-2022.
During this time, he championed numerous veterans’ provisions that ultimately became state law. In addition to securing state funding for the three new Veterans Homes, which are currently being constructed, Rep. Dettmer was also instrumental in excluding military retirement pay from state income taxes; eliminating the 8-year limit on the surviving spouse of a disabled Veteran to continue receiving the property tax exclusion; allowing a veteran’s surviving spouse a one-time move to a home of equal or lesser value; and securing funding for the construction and completion of the Minnesota Medal of Honor Memorial on the State Capitol grounds.
Dettmer also is a strong proponent of family and pro-life initiatives, and says he is proud to have been one of the leading legislative voices in promoting family values as well as the rights of the unborn.
Dettmer will finish his current term, which concludes at the end of 2022.
"While I am not seeking re-election, residents should remember that I will continue to represent them until a new state representative is seated in 2023,” Dettmer said. “As always, I encourage them to contact me with any legislative questions or concerns."
If you have any legislative questions or comments, you can reach Representative Dettmer at 651-296-4124 or by email at rep.bob.dettmer@house.mn.