Rep. Chris DeLaForest, R-Andover, has announced he will not seek re-election. DeLaForest is serving out his third term in the House - he was elected in 2002.

He cites personal reasons for leaving the Legislature.

Rep. Chris DeLaForest, R-Andover, announced today (Monday, Feb. 18) that he will not seek re-election to the Minnesota Legislature. by T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter

Rep. Chris DeLaForest, R-Andover, has announced he will not seek re-election.

DeLaForest is serving out his third term in the House - he was elected in 2002.

He cites personal reasons for leaving the Legislature.

"It's become increasingly difficult over time, especially with my kids getting a little bit older now," said DeLaForest.

Soon he'll have college tuitions to worry about, he explained. "It's time to move on," said DeLaForest.

Although his decision not to seek re-election evolved over time, one event fortified the decision, he explained.

Refocused priorities

"That severe car accident that I had back in July, that tended to help me refocus my priorities - as it would with anyone," DeLaForest said. DeLaForest was extracted from the wreck with the jaws-of-life. The car accident happened on Andover Boulevard about three blocks from his house.

"I got hit head-on at about 50 miles per hour," said DeLaForest. "They rushed me in an ambulance to Mercy Hospital (Coon Rapids)," he said. "It was that bad," said DeLaForest.

During the weeks of recuperation he began to re-evaluate how well he was meeting his life goals, he explained.

"So I sort took a close look of where I was in my life, how well I was meeting my personal goals, and I started to realize that I was falling behind a little bit in meeting my personal goals for every aspect of my life," said DeLaForest.

DeLaForest gained media attention last year for co-sponsoring legislation to legalize ticket scalping - he argued it would drive the underground market above ground and could mean additional tax dollars for the state.

Says his work is a team sport

DeLaForest said he hasn't taken a retrospective on his career - won't probably until after he leaves - but added he considers work at the Legislature a "team sport."

"I'll leave it to others to judge how successful I was individually," said DeLaForest.

"I leave with the belief that all 134 people who are here are really motivated by what's in their hearts - politics has a reputation, that it's often cynical and alike," he said. "I really believe the other 133 people I serve with are motivated by what they believe is right," he said. "I'll be comforted by that fact after I leave," he said.

DeLaForest has been a reliable conservative vote in the House.

He has served on a variety of committees, being vice-chair of the Civil Law and Elections Committee.

DeLaForest notes that he's still a member of the Legislature and has more things to do. "I'll finish strong," he said.