Veteran Minnesota Lawmaker Sandy Pappas to Retire After 42 Years of Public Service

ST. PAUL, Minn. — After more than four decades of shaping public policy and championing progressive change at the Minnesota Capitol, State Senator Sandra “Sandy” Pappas (DFL–St. Paul) has announced she will retire following the conclusion of the 2026 legislative session. The decision marks the end of a remarkable 42-year legislative career, making Pappas one of the longest-serving lawmakers in Minnesota history.

A Distinguished Career in Public Service

Pappas, a member of the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), first entered state politics when she was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1984, representing District 65B in St. Paul. She went on to serve three terms before being elected to the Minnesota Senate in 1990, officially taking office in January 1991.

Over the decades, Pappas became a steady and respected voice at the Capitol. Her leadership roles included serving as President of the Minnesota Senate from 2013 to 2017 and, more recently, as Chair of the Capital Investment Committee, where she oversaw the state’s infrastructure and bonding priorities. She has also been a member of influential committees, including Finance, Judiciary and Public Safety, and Labor.

Reflecting on her long career, Pappas described the Legislature as “so much a part of my life,” adding that stepping away feels “like saying farewell to family.”

Progressive Leadership and Legislative Achievements

Throughout her tenure, Senator Pappas earned recognition for her steadfast advocacy on issues related to education, gender equity, worker rights, and social justice. Her legislative portfolio includes several landmark accomplishments that have left an enduring mark on Minnesota policy, including:

• The Women’s Economic Security Act (WESA) – a sweeping set of reforms strengthening workplace protections and economic opportunities for women.
• The Minnesota Dream Act, expanding access to college financial aid for undocumented students.
• Statewide Earned Sick and Safe Time, guaranteeing workers paid leave for personal or family health needs.
• The Children in Need of Protection and Services (CHIPS) Program, supporting vulnerable youth and families in crisis.

Pappas has often credited the passage of these measures to persistence and collaboration, emphasizing that “some of the most impactful accomplishments take years of dedication and coalition-building to achieve.”

An Enduring Legacy of Service and Reform

Known for her pragmatic leadership and deep commitment to St. Paul’s East Side, Pappas has championed infrastructure investments that modernized schools, improved public transit, and revitalized local neighborhoods. As Chair of Capital Investment, she was instrumental in delivering bipartisan bonding bills that funded public safety facilities, affordable housing, and higher education campuses statewide.

Her work also extended beyond Minnesota’s borders. Pappas has represented the state in national policy forums and international women’s leadership initiatives, earning recognition for her efforts to elevate the role of women in government and public life.

A Generational Transition at the Capitol

Pappas’s decision to retire comes as Minnesota’s political landscape prepares for a generational shift. She joins fellow DFL Senator Ann Rest (New Hope), who also plans to retire after 40 years in the Legislature. Together, their departures will mark the end of an era defined by institutional memory, bipartisan dealmaking, and progressive reform.

Political observers expect Pappas’s retirement to open a highly competitive race for Senate District 65, encompassing parts of St. Paul—a district long considered a cornerstone of DFL strength.

A Career that Defined Dedication

Senator Pappas’s 42-year journey reflects an unwavering dedication to Minnesotans and the belief that public service can drive meaningful change. As she prepares to close this chapter, she leaves behind a legislative legacy steeped in equity, empowerment, and progress.

Her farewell to the Capitol will not only mark the conclusion of a personal era but will also remind Minnesotans of the profound impact one committed leader can have over four decades of service.

MinneapoliMedia