Sen. Ann Rest to Retire After More Than Four Decades in Minnesota Legislature

Sen. Ann Rest to Retire After More Than Four Decades in Minnesota Legislature

St. Paul, MN — State Senator Ann Rest (DFL–New Hope), one of Minnesota’s longest-serving lawmakers, announced this week that she will retire at the conclusion of her current term, capping a legislative career that has spanned more than 40 years.

Rest was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1984, winning her initial race by just over 50 votes. She went on to represent District 46A in the House for 16 years before winning election to the Minnesota Senate in 2000, where she has served eight consecutive terms. Her current district, Senate District 43, includes Crystal, Golden Valley, Plymouth, Robbinsdale, and New Hope.

A Career Defined by Leadership and Tax Policy

A certified public accountant by profession, Rest quickly established herself as a leading voice on tax issues. She chaired the House Taxes Committee from 1993 to 1997 and later the Senate Taxes Committee, making her the only legislator in state history to lead both bodies’ tax committees. In her most recent role as Senate Taxes chair, she helped pass a major 2023 tax package that included rebate checks for Minnesotans and a new child tax credit widely praised for its potential to reduce child poverty.

Beyond tax policy, Rest has been at the forefront of legislative leadership. She has served as Senate President Pro Tempore multiple times, as well as assistant majority leader in both the House and Senate. Over the course of her career, she authored and championed legislation on issues ranging from economic development to protections for fraud victims, including the creation of a restitution fund.

Key Achievements and Ongoing Work

Among her proudest achievements, Rest has highlighted her role in advancing Minnesota’s child tax credit and in strengthening financial accountability for victims of fraud. Before her term concludes, she has pledged to continue working on improvements to the state’s childcare tax credit.

Encouraging the Next Generation of Women Leaders

In announcing her retirement, Rest emphasized the importance of women in political leadership. “It is the women of America who have demonstrated leadership,” she said, adding that she has been “quietly encouraging recruiting women to run for the state Senate in District 43.” She expressed her conviction that “it is women who will lead us to a sane and safe future.”

A Decision Years in the Making

Rest said the decision to retire was made with her family four years ago, long before recent events heightened concern for the safety of public officials. In June, a gunman — who had already killed House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband — was apprehended outside Rest’s New Hope home. Rest credited local police with saving her life and publicly thanked the New Hope Police Department for their response. She stressed, however, that the incident did not influence her long-planned decision to step down.

Looking Ahead

As she prepares to leave office, Rest said serving Minnesotans has been “the honor of my life.” With her retirement, Senate District 43 will be an open seat in the 2026 election — a closely watched contest as both parties vie for control of the narrowly divided Senate.

Rest said she intends to remain engaged in public policy after leaving office, continuing her long-standing commitment to community service.

MinneapoliMedia