U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan won’t run for re-election in Eighth District
"Now is the time for me to pass the baton to the next generation," Nolan, a Democrat, said in a statement announcing his retirement.
Nolan, 74, won two tough re-election campaigns since first winning the seat in 2012. Nolan publicly entertained a run for governor last year, only to announce last summer that he would run again in the
On Friday, Nolan reversed course. In a one-page statement, he promised to "finish strong" as he served out the remaining months of his term.
"Despite the fact that our nation is being challenged by some rather troubling politics, let's remember that our founders foresaw difficult times and gave us the tools to see them through," Nolan said. "Our constitution is strong, our people are resilient, and the elections of 2018, 2020 and beyond provide continuing opportunities for progress, reform and necessary change."
Nolan, who was not available for an interview, also cited a need to spend more time with family. Calling them patient and supportive of his political career, Nolan said that "it's time for me to respond in kind." He has spoken publicly about his adult daughter's struggles after a stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis three years ago.
As he prepares to wind down his time in office, Nolan said that jobs are coming back to his district and wages are rising. The sprawling district includes the
Fellow
"With a twinkle in his eye and a big heart, he's been a joy to work with ... and by the way, he's such a rabble rouser," Sen.
Rep.
Nolan previously served as a congressman from 1975 to 1981, when he cosponsored legislation protecting the Boundary Waters. He's spoken about how
"It seems like I took a nap and I came back and I say, 'Wow, what happened to this place? What's happened to democracy?' I mean, the
Nolan's recent elections have been among the most competitive and expensive in the nation, as the district has shifted toward
A spokesperson for the National Republican Campaign Committee (NRCC) said Friday that the district is a top priority, and the
"
Last fall, Mills said he wouldn't run against Nolan for a third time, and criticized the NRCC for its failure to adequately support his campaign. The
"I have received numerous calls, emails and messages. I am very seriously considering another run for
On the Democratic side,
Nolan had actively opposed the Obama administration's two-year moratorium on mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, along with the federal government's move against renewing mineral leases for Twin Metals, which is proposing a copper-nickel mine southeast of
Phifer said that she looked forward to furthering Nolan's progressive legacy on single-payer health care and campaign finance reform, and to bridging the local DFL's divisions between mining and job concerns,
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee expressed confidence in holding the seat, with the group's chairman,
Phifer is unlikely to clear the field, with a number of current and former elected DFL officials from
"It's a pretty unexpected set of circumstances," said Radinovich, a former state representative who served as Nolan's 2016 campaign manager and is currently
Two other potential Democratic candidates are state Rep.
And with Nolan's announcement nine months before the election, "there's just not the time you would otherwise like to have for thoughtful consideration on who the party's candidate is going to be," said Ness, adding that he is not interested in running.
State DFL Chairman
Meanwhile, Republican Reps.
Martin predicted that the race to succeed Nolan will be the most competitive and expensive in the country.
"There's going to be a lot of resources flowing in from both sides," Martin said. "It's just a district that
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