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Rep. Dave Lislegard, the last Range DFL legislator, announced Sunday he will not run for a fourth term in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Lislegard has represented District 7B for the past six years.
Lislegard (DFL-Aurora) announced that he will not seek re-election for another term in the Minnesota House of Representatives and will retire from the Minnesota Legislature at the end of 2024.
Lislegard has served in the Minnesota House since 2019 and was previously the mayor of the City of Aurora.
“It is with a heavy heart that I have decided not to seek re-election this fall. This was a very hard decision for me because fighting for the Range is at the core of who I am, and what I have done for the past 20 years of my life,” said Lislegard. “There is a cost to giving so much of your life to something that you are passionate about. When faced with decisions that impact the people you love the most, one’s priorities must be directed to where needed most. At this point in my life my priority needs to be my family. They have sacrificed so much to allow me the honor of fighting for the people of the Iron Range, the place we all call home. They deserve my full attention and dedication--I know each of you would make the same choice.” Lislegard serves as Chair of the House Property Tax Division, and continues to serve on the House Tax Committee, House Environment and Natural Resource Finance and Policy Committee, and House Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy Committee.
“I am proud of what we have accomplished together for our area. Your next representative, I hope, will continue to fight for the major issues I advocated: first, mining and the good union jobs it provides for our people; second, keeping our taconite taxes working for the core Iron Range that produces the wealth; third, fighting against the big pharmaceutical and drug companies so more of our health care dollars stay local and support our hospitals, clinics and the nurses, doctors, and staff who take care of us; fourth, investing in our communities, outdoor recreation, and finally, protecting our fundamental rights such as the second amendment and right for individuals to make their own health care decisions,” said Lislegard.
Lislegard continued, “This session my legislation passed and provides for a $515 per year, every year, property tax credit for over 35,000 homeowners on the core Iron Range. This is the first time in 26 years that the taconite tax property tax credit was increased. You live here, mine the ore here, and you deserve part of the benefit from taconite taxes. That’s why I advocated for this money to reduce your property taxes. Additionally, my legislation will provide over $80 million of investments in the core Iron Range; helping with infrastructure, housing, and development in towns such as Mt. Iron, Virginia, Chisholm, Biwabik, Cherry Township, Buhl, Eveleth, and many others in addition to building our outdoor recreation with grants to snowmobile and ATV clubs. I am very proud we were able to grant $3.3 million to renovate our critical emergency room facilities in Virginia and to create the region's first behavioral mental health emergency center. My reform of the 340B drug program will mean over $25 million each year invested in our health care hospitals and clinics in Northeast Minnesota.”
“I am humbled by the opportunities my constituents gave me as their representative, and I extend my great appreciation to them for entrusting me with this duty,” Lislegard continued. Representative Lislegard, his wife Lisa and their two dogs live in Aurora.
“In leaving the Legislature, I look forward to spending more time with my wife, my daughters, parents, and friends,” said Lislegard. "They have all made sacrifices in supporting my service in the House, and I look forward to giving back to them now.”
Lislegard served one the Aurora city council for 14 years before being elected mayor in 2017. He also worked in business relations for Lakehead Constructors. He and his wife Lisa have two daughters.
