ST. PAUL — Minnesota State Sen. Bill Weber, R-Luverne, announced in a Tuesday press release he will not be seeking re-election.

“I had originally said in 2012, when I was elected, that I would serve eight to 10 years. This year will be my 14th,” Weber stated in the release. “While there remains much I would like to change and accomplish within this state, I have come to realize that goal will always be in front of me. My wife, Barb, and our children have been patient and understanding as together with my previous city political experience, I complete my 30th year of elected office.”

Weber ended his statement by saying serving the people of Luverne, southwest Minnesota and the entire state “has been a distinct and special honor.”

Weber was first elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2012, and has been reelected three times.

Leadership roles for Weber included chair of the Senate Agriculture Policy Committee, chair of the Senate Property Tax Subcommittee, co-chair of the Minnesota Water Study Committee, minority lead on the Senate Tax Committee, and membership on the Minnesota Senate Republican Caucus leadership team.

Weber recalled when entering the Senate in the minority, he realized the importance of connecting with people on both sides of the aisle.

“In recent years, that has become a harder task to accomplish as the chasm between the two sides has widened,” Weber said.

In the release, Weber took credit for a number of accomplishments.

• Securing bonding funds for the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System to complete construction to four Minnesota communities and rural water systems.

• Authoring legislation to restore cooperation between the state, high schools, and state colleges to provide career and vocational training.

• Chairing child care meetings across Minnesota to give providers an opportunity to voice their concerns about over-regulation.

• Authoring the Natural Gas Innovation Act.

“I have always tried to voice common sense on behalf of the people, businesses, schools, local government units and nursing homes of my district and the state,” Weber said. “No elected official should ever be scared to do so. No elected official should ever fail to do so.”