Senator Kent Eken will not Seek Reelection

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – Senator Kent Eken has announced he will not seek reelection.

Eken who represents District 4, which includes portions of Becker (including Detroit Lakes), Clay and Norman counties says his decision was based on several factors including his desire to return to teaching and legislative redistricting.

Eken was first elected to the Senate in 2012 but served in the House for the 10 years before his move to the Senate.

“I step away from this work with deep gratitude to my family, supporters and constituents for the privilege of serving in the Minnesota Legislature for the past twenty years,” Eken said in a statement. “Not a day has gone by in which I’ve not been humbled by the trust you have given me to be your voice at the State Capitol. While I will miss the work and my Senate colleagues, it’s time to step away from the legislature and into the next chapter of my life.”

Eken is the latest state lawmaker to announce their retirement at the end of the year.

So far, 32 lawmakers – 16 House members and 16 Senators – have announced they plan to retire at the end of the 2021-2022 biennium.