Legislative lowdown

Sen. John Hottinger
DFL State Sen. John Hottinger is not seeking re-election in November.
MPR Photo/Tim Pugmire

The races for governor, Senate and open seats in Congress have been getting most of the pre-election attention in Minnesota. But all 201 seats in the Legislature are up for grabs too.

MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with two experienced legislators who have decided not to seek re-election this year. State Rep. Barb Sykora, R-Excelsior, has represented western Hennepin County in the House since 1994, and State Sen. John Hottinger, DFL-St. Peter, has represented the Mankato area in state Senate since 1990.

They shared their observations on the upcoming election and the performance of the Legislature in recent years.