Linda Berglin announces retirement from Minnesota Senate

For nearly four decades, State Sen. Linda Berglin (DFL-Minneapolis) was a common sight at the State Capitol. As of mid-August, she plans to retire to take a job working on health care for Hennepin County.

“I look forward to continuing to use what I have learned in the legislature and to continue learning as I work now at the ground level to make policies I have worked on at the state level work for people in the community,” Berglin said in a statement.

First elected to the state House in 1972, Berglin moved to the Senate in 1980 and was the first woman in Minnesota to chair a full committee. She said her career highlights included health, mental health, elder-care and childcare reforms.

She served as chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee until Republicans took power in 2011.

“During the last six months, I have felt that my talents and skills have been underutilized in the Minnesota Senate,” Berglin said. “As I see so much of what I have worked on over the years being chipped away or repealed entirely, I worry that our state is moving away from the community spirit that has made us such a great place.”

Gov. Mark Dayton released a statement following Berglin’s announcement: “Senator Berglin has been one of the great leaders of the Minnesota Legislature for the last 39 years. I join with her many friends and admirers in thanking her for her dedicated service and her lasting contributions for the betterment of our state.”

Her retirement will spur a special election in the Minneapolis district.