State Sen. Chris Gerlach, R-Apple Valley, has announced he will not seek re-election, days after a watch-dog group criticized him for business dealings with a lobbying group.
Gerlach, who has served in the Legislature for 14 years, said in a news release that he was retiring to spend more time with his wife and children, ages 8 and 10, and to focus on his business.
He did not return a phone call seeking comment, but also said in the news release:
“While serving in the Legislature is truly an honor and privilege, the family and financial sacrifices are great. Now is the time to reassess my personal priorities.”
Gerlach’s direct-mailing business, Capitol Direct, was paid by lobbying firm Freedom Fund, to print a letter sent to Republicans in the Legislature, said Mike Dean, executive director of Common Cause Minnesota. The letter urged support of a state constitutional amendment to ban requiring workers to join and pay dues in unionized workplaces.
“We raised significant issues with this business agreement,” Dean said. “It creates a significant conflict of interest. A legislator should not be taking money from lobbyists during a Legislative session.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the proposed amendment earlier this week.
Gerlach, who has been a supporter of the amendment, served six years in the Minnesota House of Representatives and is on his eighth year in the Senate. His term ends in January.
Dean said Gerlach’s retirement was not comforting to his group, a nonpartisan government watchdog agency.
“It doesn’t quite solve the problem at hand,” Dean said. “He’s still a senator, he’s still going to be voting for this.”
Common Cause has called on Gerlach to release the client list for his direct-mail business.
Gerlach served as an assistant majority leader and majority whip. In the news release, he said he was most proud of the opportunity to serve as the chairman of Senate Commerce Committee.
“It has been a great platform in which to promote free-market economics while balancing consumer protections,” he said.
Gerlach said he plans to remain active in his local community and in Republican politics.
Dean said Minnesota law prohibits lawmakers from taking campaign contributions during a session, but the law surrounding a member’s business dealings is less clear. Still, he said Gerlach’s situation is an example of why lawmakers should draw a line between personal business and politics.
“Elected officials have to be careful about the appearance of corruption because it can create a further mistrust of the political process,” Dean said.
Jessica Fleming can be reached at 651-228-5435. Follow her at twitter.com/jessflem.