MINNEAPOLIS — Few lawmakers at the Minnesota State Capitol can match the reputation of DFL Sen. Ann Rest.
First elected to the legislature in 1984 in a tight race decided by 56 votes, Rest served eight terms in the House of Representatives before winning an election for a State Senate seat in 2000. Known for her deep policy knowledge and straightforward approach to politics, Rest remains the only lawmaker in Minnesota history to have chaired the Taxes committee in both the House and Senate.
After four decades representing the suburban Twin Cities, though, Rest announced this month that she will retire at the end of her current Senate term in 2026.
"The decision was made three years ago, quite frankly," Rest said in an interview at KARE 11's studios this week. "I worked it out [in 2022