Editorial: A decade of respected service

• Doug Magnus

Senator Doug Magnus (R) District 22

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District 22 Sen. Doug Magnus has run five times for state office. He won election all five times, and was the Daily Globe’s endorsed candidate on each of those occasions.

Magnus, who announced Monday that would not seek another term at the Capitol, served as District 22A Representative for eight years prior to the past two in the Senate. In both of these offices, Magnus has brought both leadership and experience in serving his constituents well.

The Slayton Republican was unique in St. Paul for being a farmer — a perspective that many (and us) saw as important in advancing agricultural policies that benefit this region. Magnus, it should be added, wasn’t just any farmer. His past involvement with state and national soybean organizations afforded him the opportunity to travel across the globe and gave him the opportunity to further appreciate and advance the farm industry here at home.

Then, once elected to the Minnesota House, Magnus became a key player on the House Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Finance Division — not to mention serving on a host of other committees; he became the chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Economies Committee years later. A Vietnam veteran, he has continued to show passion about veterans-related issues during his tenure in the Legislature.

Magnus said earlier this week that 10 years of government service is enough, and he looks forward to getting back to spending more time on the farm. We wish him success and happiness in his future endeavors.

Tags: opinion, editorials, minnesota, legislature, politics, farm, agriculture, magnus