Duluth’s Schultz won’t seek re-election to state House

Rep. Jen Schultz, a DFL’er who represents the eastern half of Duluth in the state House, has announced that she will not seek re-election when her term ends this year.

Schultz is in her eighth year as a state representative. In a news release Thursday, Schultz said she does not see her public service as over and has "very mixed feelings" about retiring from the legislature.

"There is a lot of important work to be done. But with the recent redistricting, there will be enormous turnover in St. Paul, and this seems like a good time for my successor to begin forming the relationships and getting the experience to serve as a productive representative for the people of the new House District 8B. I look forward to lending my support and encouragement to their efforts," Schultz wrote.

Schultz is a professor at the Labovitz School of Business and Economics at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

She currently chairs the House Human Services Finance & Policy Committee and also serves on the Ways and Means, Taxes, Health Finance and Policy, and Redistricting committees. She is also on the Great Lakes Commission.

Schultz says she is proud of her role to create the 2021 Health and Human Services omnibus bill and a bill to expand access to the Minnesota Care insurance plan.

"Recently, I have been working on allowing a Buy-In to Minnesota Care as a health insurance option for individuals and businesses, creating an independent health care cost commission, increasing competition in and access to biological drugs, and restricting use and abuse of non-compete contract clauses that shackle employees in bad job situations," Schultz said.

She said she is also grateful to have been part of a team of legislators advocating for Duluth projects such as UMD building projects, bonding, and financing for medical district projects.

Schultz said she hopes to continue work on health care, the economy, and higher education.