DASSEL -- State Sen. Steve Dille, R-Dassel, announced Tuesday he will not seek re-election to the Minnesota Senate in November 2010.
"Effective at the end of my current term, I will be stepping down from my role as your state senator and will not seek re-election in 2010,'' Dille said.
He said Minnesota legislators on average serve for about 10 years. By the end of 2010 when his term ends, Dille will have served his constituents and the state at the Capitol for 24 years.
"I have been fortunate enough to spend much of my adult life serving the people surrounding me,'' he said.
"The time I have spent in public office has been extremely fulfilling and has greatly en-riched my life.''
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Dille, 64, serves District 18, which covers Carver, McLeod, Me-eker, Stearns and Wright counties.
A graduate of Litchfield High School, Di-lle received a doctorate of veterinary medicine from the University of Minnesota's College of Veterinary Medicine in 1969. Dille entered elected office in 1977, serving as the Dassel Township supervisor.
He then held a seat on the Meeker County Board of Commissioners from 1984 until his first term in the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1986. He ran for the Minnesota State Senate in 1992 and has served more than 17 years.
He serves on and is ranking minority member of the Agriculture and Veterans Committee, and serves on the Agriculture, Veterans Budget and Policy Division of the Finance Committee, the Environment and Natural Resources Committee, and the Capital Investment Committee.
While he is looking forward to retiring, Dille said he will miss the opportunity to serve his community.
-- Staff reports
