GOP state Sen. Thompson won't seek new term

Updated: 10:35 a.m. | Posted 9 a.m.

A Republican state senator who ran for Minnesota governor in 2014 said Tuesday that he won't run for re-election because he's moving to North Carolina.

Sen. Dave Thompson, a lawyer and former talk radio host from Lakeville who is in his sixth year in office, said he plans to serve out the remaining months of his current term. The Legislature convenes its session in March and is due to wrap up in late May.

Thompson, an outspoken fiscal conservative who tried but failed to get the Republican nomination for governor two years ago, told The Associated Press that he never intended to become a career politician.

"I certainly am very serious when I say people shouldn't get too attached to the title," Thompson said.

He said he and his family plan to move to North Carolina, where he'll open an office for his employer, Renters Warehouse.

Thompson is the seventh of Minnesota's 67 state senators — four Democrats and three Republicans — to decide against running for re-election. An eighth, Republican Branden Petersen of Andover, stepped down in the fall and a replacement is set to be chosen in a February special election.

Democrats enter the election year defending 39 seats, meaning they can surrender five and remain in the majority. Republicans have a narrow hold on the House.

Thompson won both of his races by wide margins, giving Republicans confidence they won't relinquish the seat. But an open race gives Democrats reason for optimism, and they have recruited Lakeville's popular mayor, Matt Little, to run under their banner.

Area city council and school board members are expected to seek the Republican nomination to run for Thompson's seat. The district is also represented by two GOP House members.