Steve Murphy plans to retire from Senate

Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing, won’t seek a sixth term in the Senate.

Murphy, who retired as a lead equipment operator for Xcel Energy, was first elected to the Senate in 1992.

Murphy has won elections by at least five percentage points in the politically competitive area. Nonetheless, the area is regarded as bellwether and a battleground. District 28A, which is currently held by Republican Tim Kelly of Red Wing has gone back and forth between the parties in the last two election cycles by very slim margins.

Red Wing Mayor John Howe has filed a campaign committee for the Senate seat as a Republican.