On the day Rep. Paul Kohls (R-Victoria) first arrived at the House of Representatives, he remembers feeling a sense of awe at the tremendous responsibility he had been given. Eight years later, the feeling hasn’t gone away.
“I still do get a sense of awe when I walk into the chamber, and I’m glad that hasn’t left me,” he said.
Kohls’ emotions are more mixed as he bids that chamber farewell. The four-term lawmaker and one-time gubernatorial candidate announced May 3 that he would not seek re-election. Having recently accepted a position at a financial services company, he said his new job won’t accommodate continued service in the Legislature.
“I’m disappointed that I’m not going to be able to run for reelection, which I was planning to do, but I’m really excited about this new opportunity,” Kohls said.
His departure marks the exit of a prominent voice in the House’s Republican minority. Kohls, who admits to being one of the more vocal conservatives in the body, said he has a passion for both policy and politics. Over the years, he said it’s been rewarding to be able to contribute to many of the important policy debates in the House.
“I’ve been a relatively outspoken member in terms of limiting the size and scope of government, and getting in control on spending,” he said.
Kohls said he’s been lucky to represent one of the state’s most heavily Republican-leaning districts. That said, he’s never taken his constituents for granted. And despite his conservative roots and beliefs, Kohls has made many friends on both sides of the aisle, and said he’s come to respect even those with whom he completely disagrees on major issues.
“What I appreciate now maybe more than the day I walked in is that we generally have the same goals,” he said.
Kohls said the House is full of “first-rate” people from both parties, all of whom want a better future for Minnesota. His time in the House has given him a deeper appreciation of the fact that each member is here representing approximately 38,000 people, he said.
“Over the years, I’ve often sat on the floor and looked around the chamber — looked at the governor give a State of the State, listened to an impassioned debate on the floor — and recognized that I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of something special,” he said.
Kohls is proud of a number of local projects he was able to accomplish for his district, including an expansion of Ridgeview Medical Center, a pedestrian path around Lake Benton and various transportation projects. He’s also been successful in passing legislation on statewide issues such as tort reform and identity theft.
As his legislative career winds down, Kohls said he is looking forward to spending more time at home. He feels especially indebted to his wife, Kelly, for supporting his service. The couple has two children, Stanley and Caroline. Kohls said raising a family while serving in the Legislature has been challenging — although no more so than for anyone else with a time-consuming career.
Though he isn’t sure whether he’ll run for office again someday, Kohls said he knows enough to “never say never.” For now, he plans to make the most of his new job opportunity and see where it takes him.
“I leave with really fond memories of the institution and people, and I leave with an enormous amount of gratitude for having had the opportunity,” Kohls said, adding, “This is such a special place.”
Interim Update: Disaster relief enacted
Brief special session ends with $80 million flood, storm aid package
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Never a dull moment
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RIP: Bills that didn’t make it
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Art of compromise is the heart of politics
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One more goal in his playbook
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Fulfilling her ‘deal’
Kelliher leaving House after a dozen years, maybe not the Capitol
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Excited for a new opportunity
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‘A decade is a long time’
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Magnus will run for state Senate
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First Hmong House member shifts focus
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Erring on the side of openness
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Demmer winds down fourth, final term
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Time for a change
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Leaving before his self-imposed limit
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Bumper pride
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Seifert concludes 14-year House career
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Energized to follow a different path
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Ensuring good management
Twelve legislators decide which programs legislative auditor will evaluate
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Legislative powers
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Unallotment upheaval
Potential modifications to governor’s power gets House committee approval
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Published 2/18/2010
Hard times hit home
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Published 2/11/2010
State of the State: Laying out his recovery plan
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Published 2/11/2010
Opening Day: 86th Legislative Session
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Published 2/4/2010
Minnesota Index: Session 2010
Figures and statistics on the 2010 legislative session
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First Reading: No easy fixes
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Published 5/29/2009
At Issue: State government funding signed
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Published 5/29/2009
Governor's Desk
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Published 5/29/2009
Minnesota Index: 2009 session
Figures and statistics on the 2009 legislative session
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Published 5/29/2009
First Reading: Letting the sunshine in
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At Issue: Budget cuts for state government
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Minnesota Index: Government in Minnesota
Figures and statistics on state and local government
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Published 5/15/2009
First Reading: Hammering out an agreement
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Published 5/8/2009
Resources: From beginning to end
Tracking bills is just a mouse click away
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At Issue: Tightening the belt
Less funding, more accountability in omnibus state government finance bill
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Published 4/24/2009
First Reading: Protecting public dollars
Lawmakers push for better financial controls at state agencies
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Published 4/17/2009
At Issue: Making technology accessible
Lawmakers want to open state Web sites to individuals who are deaf, blind or hard-of-hearing
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Published 4/3/2009
First Reading: Looking to the past
Division hears New Deal‘s controversial story
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Published 2/27/2009
Feature: Getting an earful
Legislators fan out across the state to hear budget deficit problems, solutions
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Published 2/27/2009
New Member: From tragedy to high hopes
Hayden hopes to effect big change
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Published 2/20/2009
New Member: A passion for local issues
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Published 2/20/2009
Feature: Is there a page in the House?
They ‘do what needs to be done’
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Published 2/13/2009
New Member: Former teacher returns
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New Member: From NYC to Minnesota
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New Member: Keeping it local
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Published 2/6/2009
New Member: Facing complex problems
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New Member: Planning for the future
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New Member: 'Honesty, common sense'
‘Honesty, common sense’
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New Member: Altitude adjustment
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New Member: A young, rural voice
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New Member: A political education
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New Member: The deficit is top priority
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New Member: A global view in St. Paul
Mack was page, intern, now member
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New Member: Honored to serve
Sanders focuses on kitchen-table issues
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Published 1/30/2009
New Member: Waiting years for his seat
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At Issue: Leading by example
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Published 1/23/2009
New Member: Doing greater good
Jackson views public service as a calling
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New Member: A heritage of involvement
Kiffmeyer brings lifelong work ethic to her seat
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New Member: Passionate about business
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Published 1/23/2009
New Member: No shortcut to service
Newton relishes opportunity to make tough decisions
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Published 1/23/2009
New Member: Working to unite
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New Member: Walking the talk
Persell models stewardship of the environment
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New Member: Making a difference
Tired of complaining, Rosenthal decided to get involved
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Published 1/23/2009
New Member: Taking the chance
With open seat, Scott knew now is her time to serve
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Published 1/23/2009
At Issue: The state of our state
Tax cuts, wage freezes on governor’s list to help budget
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Published 1/16/2009
Feature: Opening day
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Published 1/9/2009
At Issue: Beyond the budget
Assistant leaders optimistic about accomplishing more than solving the money woes
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Published 1/9/2009
Minnesota Index: Minnesota House 2009
Figures and statistics on the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2009.
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Published 1/9/2009