Posted: 7/7/06
Rep. Connie Bernardy will not seek fourth term as state representative from District 51B
by T.W. Budig
ECM capitol reporter
Rep. Connie Bernardy, DFL-Fridley, announced on Thursday (July 6) that she will not seek a fourth term as state representative from District 51B.
Local politicians were startled by the decision.
ìI knew people would be surprised,î said Bernardy. ìI was not planning on leaving the Legislature,î she said.
Indeed, Bernardy has been doorknocking, arranging for signs ó in campaign mode, said a local DFL lawmaker. ìIt was a really, really, hard decision,î said Bernardy.
Bernardy is leaving the House to pursue a job offer that on a statewide basis will have her working to build coalitions, she explained.
She would not reveal details of the job, saying she could say more within a few days.
Bernardy also cites a desire to spend more time with her family as another reason for leaving the House.
Although there is no replacement DFL candidate, Bernardy expects several candidates to step forward.
She takes pride, she explained, in helping to advance the DFL hold on the House. Bernardy expects her caucus to win control in November. ìI think thatís gong to happen for next session,î she said.
Bernardy considered herself in the running for a committee.
Looking back on legislative career
Looking back over her legislative career, she points to Northstar Commuter Rail funding, her work for K-12 education funding ó Bernardy has often been the public face for education in the DFL House caucus ó restoration of wetlands at Springbrook Nature Center, and improving communications between first responders as some career highlights.
ìI loved serving the community,î said Bernardy. ìIím actually going to miss not doing that,î she said of doorknocking.
She has amassed a voluminous record of correspondences with her constituents over the years ó one of the biggest in the Legislature, she said. ìIíve worked hard,î said Bernardy of her years in St. Paul.
Spring Lake Council Member Bill Loesch who is the Republican challenger in District 51B expressed surprise at Bernardyís departure. ìI donít know what to say about this,î he said.
Bernardyís leaving the House, explained Loesch, doesnít really affect the things he has to do ó door knock, parades.
Whoever will replace her as the DFL candidate unless theyíve already laid the groundwork for their campaign will be starting late, he said.
Another local Republican expressed surprise over Bernardyís decision. ìIím astonished by that,î said Rep. Jim Abeler, R-Anoka. ìItís a huge surprise,î he said. He considered Bernardy, the House minority whip, ìa rising star on their (House DFL) side,î said Abeler. She has been a lawmaker he can work with, he said.
Former House Minority Leader Matt Entenza once said he considered Bernardy a viable statewide candidate.
Sen. Don Betzold, DFL-Fridley, whose Senate district contains Bernardyís, said Bernardy has been very visible in her community. ìThereís no doubt in my mind that she would have been reelected,î said Betzold.
Bernardy doesnít rule out a bid at public office again sometime in the future. ìItís in my blood,î she said of public service.
Never wanted to become professional politician
But she never ran for office in the first place to become a professional politician, she said. ìItís not about me,î said Bernardy, mentioning education and other issues.
Historically, Bernardy has been a strong presence at the polls.
She first won election in 2000 by winning about 52 percent of the vote ó her poorest showing as a candidate.
She was reelected in 2002 with about 61 percent of the vote, and went on to win in 2004 with about 55 percent.
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