State Senator Ortman Won't Seek Fifth Term

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — At least one seat in the Minnesota Senate will change hands next year.

State Sen. Julianne Ortman announced Tuesday she won't seek a fifth term. The Chanhassen Republican says she's bowing out early to give other candidates a stronger shot.

Ortman is the ranking minority member on the Senate's tax committee. She tried to challenge U.S. Sen. Al Franken last year but lost the GOP nomination.

Ortman says pushes to change the state's conciliation courts and include mental illness records in firearm background checks are some of her most meaningful work in the Legislature.

All of the state Senate's 67 seats are up for election next year. Ortman is the first in the chamber to formally announce she won't run again.

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