2 Minn. state senators, 1 Dem, 1 GOP, to step down

Minnesota Senate Democrats are losing one of their senior members in a southwestern swing district, while Republicans are saying goodbye to a senator from a safer area south of the Twin Cities.

Democratic Sen. Jim Vickerman of Tracy and Republican Sen. Pat Pariseau of Farmington both said Monday they won't run again.

Vickerman has represented Minnesota's southwestern corner since 1986 and had a hand in legislation for new veterans homes, ethanol and wind energy. He has won seven elections by comfortable margins in a split district. Both House members from his district are Republicans.

Pariseau was first elected in 1988. She was a key player in a constitutional amendment giving residents the constitutional right to hunt and fish.

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