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Gottwalt resigns from Legislature

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Jan 4, 2013 at 6:25 am

ST. CLOUD, Minn. (KNSI) Just four days before the gavel comes down to open the 2013 Minnesota legislative session--a surprise announcement from a local lawmaker.

Republican Representative Steve Gottwalt of St. Cloud announced his resignation Thursday, saying he's stepping down to become a director of state legislative policy with the Center for Diagnostic Imaging.

Gottwalt's resignation will take effect by the end of the month. I

n a resignation letter to colleagues, Gottwalt says his new job will demand enough time that he would no longer be able to represent his constituents in District 14A.

Gottwalt is a former St. Cloud city councilman who was elected to a fourth term in the Minnesota House in November.

Governor Mark Dayton will now set a date for a special election to determine Gottwalt's successor.

Gottwalt is the second lawmaker to resign since the November elections. Democratic Representative Terry Morrow of St. Peter announced last month that he was leaving the legislature after accepting a new job.