Clark won't seek re-election

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

ST. PAUL -- State Rep. James Clark, R-New Ulm, surprised Republicans and Democrats alike when he announced Wednesday that he wouldn't be seeking another term in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

First elected to the House in 1996, Clark was considered a "shoo-in" for a fourth term from the new 21B district which includes all of Brown County and small portions of Redwood and Watonwan counties.

"How do you argue against a decision he and his wife have made?" House Speaker Steve Sviggum said. "He's making the decision for absolutely the right reasons. We speak of family values; James Clark actually lives them."

"When I first arrived at the House five years ago, I asked my friends to never let me forget that the most important house in my life is in Brown County with Cara and our daughters," Clark said, in making the announcement.

Until now, Clark had brought his wife and two daughters with him to St. Paul for each legislative session, returning to New Ulm on the weekends.

"With our oldest daughter entering school this fall, we have realized my serving in St. Paul five or six months out of the year is simply out of the question," Clark said.

"James retiring is a loss for Minnesota and for New Ulm," Sviggum said. "Next year, with the Republicans in control, he would have held a gavel, he would have held a chairmanship in the House. He's just a really, really neat guy."

State Sen. Dennis Frederickson, R-New Ulm, who will be running in the new Senate District 21 this fall, said he was surprised by Clark's decision.

"I learned about it just a short time before he announced it. Here I was looking forward to running with two very effective, skilled, veteran legislators in Jim and (Majority Whip) Marty Seifert of Marshall," Frederickson said.

"He is a very talented, skilled legislator who is noted for his good sense and perception. His skills and talent will be missed. Here in the Legislature, we're always sad to see effective, skilled legislators go," Frederickson added.

Sviggum named Clark this session to the bonding bill conference committee, an appointment considered a political plum for an up-and-coming legislator.

As an assistant county attorney, Clark is the only criminal prosecutor serving in the House of Representatives and has focused recently on crime-related issues. He has been chief author of laws making the drug Ecstasy a level one controlled substance, expanding the definition of child endangerment to include situations where a child is present where drugs are manufactured and ensuring victims of sexual assault aren't charged for costs surrounding the criminal investigation, among others.

Clark said he has enjoyed his time in the Legislature.

"I have been blessed to have accomplished some of the things we've done. We were able to assist people who were in real need after the tornadoes of 1998," he said. "I'll never forget the look of shock on the faces of friends. Being able to provide some assistance for them is a memory I will never forget."

He's also proud of authoring the Minnesota River Trail legislation last year that will establish a trail along the length of the Minnesota River.

Clark's decision leaves Brown County Republicans without a candidate for the general election.

"There's not a whole lot of time for someone to organize a campaign," Brown County Republican Chairman Gerald Woodley said, "but I expect to see someone, or possibly several announcing very shortly."

The GOP's legislative candidates are to be endorsed at a convention in Wanda May 28 so that gives potential candidates about two and a half weeks to get their hats in the ring.

The Brown County DFL party is scurrying to find potential candidates themselves.

"We all believed it was going to be difficult to find someone to run against James; he's a very personable guy," said Lori Sellner, Brown County DFL chair. "This will certainly make things more interesting."

The county DFL is meeting May 21 in Redwood Falls to organize the new District 21 DFL. Sellner said plans were to throw out some names as possible candidates then.

While Clark is confident that he made the right decision, he's not discounting the possibility of running for office again.

"If the opportunity should present itself again sometime in the future, I may consider it. It has been a tremendous part of our lives, and I won't say 'never.'"