FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Christine Snell
612-345-2547 (cell)
Christine.Snell@house.mn.gov
Speaker Kurt Daudt Announces Resignation from Minnesota House of Representatives
CROWN, MN - Today, Speaker Kurt Daudt, a prominent figure in Minnesota politics and a key player in legislative reforms, announced his resignation from the Minnesota House of Representatives, effective February 11, 2024. Daudt represents District 27B which includes the communities of Saint Francis, Princeton, Zimmerman, and other parts of Sherburne, Isanti, Mille Lacs, and Anoka County. During his tenure Daudt served as State Representative for District 17A from 2011-2013, District 31A from 2013-2023, and District 27B for the 2023-2024 biennium.
"It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve the people of Minnesota," said Daudt. "I am profoundly thankful to my friends and neighbors who put their trust and faith in me to work on their behalf for the last 13 years. I’ve been fortunate to play a role in enacting historic tax cuts, game-changing education reforms and school choice initiatives, making history investments in our roads and bridges, and advancing pro-life and pro-Second Amendment legislation. I was proud to lead Republican Majorities from 2015-2019 that advanced dozens of conservative priorities, and am forever grateful to my current and former colleagues for their friendship and service. As I step away, I trust in the bright future of Minnesota and the capable hands that will continue the important work on behalf of Minnesotans.”
Speaker Daudt's departure marks the end of a significant chapter in Minnesota's legislative history. At the time, Daudt was the first second-term leader elected caucus leader in more than a century, and in 2015 he became the first third-term Speaker elected since 1930. During his tenure as Speaker, he led the largest Republican Majority in more than a decade.
Since first being elected in 2010, Speaker Daudt has been a force of change and a voice for fiscal responsibility in the state. Among his notable accomplishments, he chief authored significant welfare reform legislation, safeguarding taxpayer funds by restricting the use of EBT cards for purchasing lottery tickets, alcohol, and cigarettes and enhancing the system's integrity by introducing photo IDs.
His legacy includes the expansion of school choice, ending the "Last In, First Out" approach, prioritizing teacher quality over tenure, and implementing reforms that led to improved care for gaining Minnesotans in nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
Daudt was instrumental in passing significant pro-life and pro-gun legislation, streamlining state permitting processes, and implementing data matching to identify fraud in public programs. He co-authored the law to repeal the ban on the purchase of beer, wine, and spirits on Sundays. His efforts in tax reforms benefited numerous Minnesotans, including the complete elimination of state taxes on veteran benefits and a reduction in taxes on social security income.
Daudt played an integral role in the restoration of the Minnesota State Capitol, a testament to his commitment to preserving our state's history and honoring our veterans. Furthermore, as Speaker, Daudt transformed the House’s Sergeant-at-Arms department into a professional, non-partisan office -- changing its trajectory to ensure the safety of public servants and citizens visiting the Minnesota House.
In accordance with state law, Governor Walz will issue a writ of special election to ensure timely representation for House District 27B.
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