Rochester DFLer Rep. Tina Liebling announced Friday morning she will seek a fifth term in the Minnesota House this fall.
Liebling thought about a state Senate run, but after redistricting maps came out, she decided to seek re-election. Having served six years on the House's Health and Human Services committees, Liebling said, if she wins, she is poised to play a leadership role there. The federal government is implementing the federal health care law that could have a huge impact on Rochester's future.
"Our community really needs a strong voice in how that all happens, and I think I am really well-positioned to be that voice," she said.
Liebling had said she would run for the Minnesota Senate if a Senate district was created that was mostly within Rochester city limits and if she lived in it. The new district boundaries, released last month, are similar to current Senate districts, placing much of the north part of the city in one district and the south part in another. The Senate district Liebling lives is in stretches outside the city limits into Stewartville, Dover, Eyota and Chatfield. But the district no longer includes Plainview and Elgin.
Rochester attorney Ken Moen announced last year he would challenge Republican Sen. Carla Nelson for the Senate seat.
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The district boundaries for the new 26A House seat are very similar to the current 30A district. The district is contained within the city of Rochester.
Rochester School Board member Breanna Bly is running as a Republican for the House seat, challenging Liebling. Liebling said she does not know much about Bly's positions on issues, but "we do need to change the majority in our state because we have seen having a Republican majority hasn't done well for us. We've been distracted with what I would call fringe issues."
