BRAINERD, Minn. -- Rep. Mark Anderson, R-Lake Shore, announced Monday he will retire from the Minnesota House of Representatives, making him the latest in a swath of 18 legislators who won't be returning for the 2017 legislative session.
First elected in 2012, Anderson represents House District 9A which includes parts of Wadena, Todd and Cass counties.
In a phone interview Monday, Anderson said he felt it was time to let someone else represent the district, and focus on his day jobs.
"I've given it my best for four years but I'm still a business guy by profession, and I have business to attend to," he said.
The Minnesota House Republican Caucus announced Anderson's retirement in a news release, highlighting his support of gun rights and his authorship of a bill allowing Minnesotans to have firearm sound suppressors, commonly known as silencers.
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"The suppressor bill created some waves, but it was gratifying to see good government prevail once we cut through the misinformation and Hollywood sensationalism," Anderson said in the release.
Anderson also has introduced a bill for the upcoming legislative session that would repeal MNsure, the state-run health insurance exchange.
Anderson acknowledged it is unlikely to pass but said it was still worthwhile to introduce since it would hold accountable those legislators who initially voted for MNsure.
"Everybody that voted to put (MNsure) through two years ago, I want to see them defend this on the House floor two years later," he said.
