BREEZY POINT — After a nearly 20-year legislative career, State Sen. Carrie Ruud, R-Breezy Point, announced Monday, May 2, that she will retire and not seek another term.
“It has been one of the great honors of my life to serve Aitkin and Crow Wing counties in the Minnesota Senate,” Ruud said in a news release. “I am grateful to my constituents for placing their trust and faith in me. I believe I have served with honesty and integrity.”
Ruud, 71, was first elected in 2002, serving in the state Senate from 2003-06, and then since 2013. She won election to the seat in 2012, 2016 and 2020.
My next plans, besides some vacation and time with those near and dear to me, are unclear. I will approach that future with a servant's heart, faith in God and gratitude for all the opportunities and experiences.
Currently serving in Senate District 10, which includes all of Crow Wing and Cass counties, Ruud’s area changes to District 6 for this year’s election after redistricting occurred after the 2020 census.
Senate District 6 includes parts of Cass County, including Ponto Lake Township in the Echo Journal coverage area; the northern two-thirds of Crow Wing County; and parts of Itasca County.
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Redistricting put Ruud and current state Sen. Justin Eichorn, R-Grand Rapids, in the same district, and both had said they’d run for the seat.
Last month, Eichhorn received the Republican endorsement. Eichorn was first elected in 2016 and was re-elected in 2020.
It has been one of the great honors of my life to serve Aitkin and Crow Wing counties in the Minnesota Senate. I am grateful to my constituents for placing their trust and faith in me. I believe I have served with honesty and integrity.
Ruud serves as chair of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance Committee, and is on the Executive Committee of the Great Lakes Commission, Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board, Explore Minnesota Tourism Council and School Trust Commission.
She is past president of the National Foundation of Women Legislators.
“I want to thank my family, friends and all those who have so kindly supported me during my time in the Senate,” Ruud said. “My next plans, besides some vacation and time with those near and dear to me, are unclear. I will approach that future with a servant's heart, faith in God and gratitude for all the opportunities and experiences."
Nancy Vogt, editor, may be reached at 218-855-5877 or nancy.vogt@pineandlakes.com. Follow her on Facebook and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/@PEJ_Nancy.
