Rochester State Senator Carla Nelson Announces Retirement

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A longtime Rochester state lawmaker is retiring.

Nearly a Quarter Century Long Career

Republican State Senator Carla Nelson today announced that she will not seek reelection this fall. She was elected to represent Rochester in the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2002 and successfully campaigned to represent portions of Olmsted County and Dodge County in the Minnesota Senate in 2010.

Great Privilege and Responsibility

“Serving the people of Rochester and southeastern Minnesota has been a great privilege and responsibility,” Sen. Nelson said. “Every constituent call, every heartbreaking story, every town hall, every conversation at a local event reminded me of my purpose and who I was there to serve. For many years, the people of this district have given me their trust, and that is a gift I will carry with me. I look forward to new ways to serve.”

Carla Nelson (Minnesota Senate photo)

Long List of Legislative Achievements

Nelson, who has lived in Rochester since 1983, co-authored the Destination Medical Center legislation. The news release announcing her retirement also says she secured full funding for the four-lane expansion of Highway 14 and championed efforts to obtain funding for improvements to the Rochester International Airport and the new interchange on Highway 14 on the west edge of Rochester that will be constructed beginning this year.