House Majority Leader Joyce Peppin announces she won't seek re-election

If the Republicans keep control of the Minnesota House this November they will have a new majority leader for the 2019 session.

House Majority Leader Joyce Peppin (R-Rogers) announced Wednesday she will not seek re-election.

“It has been a great privilege to represent the hard-working families of the northwest suburbs of Dayton, Maple Grove and Rogers, and to be elected by my peers to serve as Majority Leader the past four years,” Peppin said in a statement. “I believe I have made a difference in the lives of the people I have been honored to represent, and it is time for me to step back from public service and return to employment in the private sector. For me, serving in the legislature was not meant to be a full-time career, but rather a temporary public service and I know there are many smart leaders with new ideas, goals and skills that will step forward to serve.”

First elected in 2004, Peppin is the new director of government affairs and general counsel for the Minnesota Rural Electric Association.

“I am excited to work in the electric energy industry and with rural electric cooperatives. I will be serving as a legal advisor and representing the Association in legal proceedings,” Peppin said. “Additionally I will lead their government affairs efforts at the state and federal level.”

Peppin is the second Republican woman in state history to serve as House majority leader. She’s held that position since 2015.

“Joyce’s leadership will be missed by our caucus and the legislature. She is not only a dedicated representative of her community, but of the state as a whole in her role as House Majority Leader,” House Speaker Kurt Daudt (R-Crown) said in a statement.

He continued: “I applaud her work to rein in wasteful government spending and most recently, her groundbreaking effort to address sexual harassment in the workplace. As a team, we have accomplished a lot – lowering taxes, fixing roads and bridges, and beginning to unravel the damage done by Obamacare. I am sad to see my good friend retire from the House, but I wish her the best in her next venture.”