Representative Bennett says he will limit his service after 12 years, thanks colleagues

Representative Bennett delivered a farewell address on the floor, reflecting on 12 years of legislative service, recounting personal stories from his time in office and saying he will "limit" his service in keeping with his long-standing support for term limits. He thanked staff, nonpartisan researchers and colleagues by name and closed by reading verses from Psalm 37.

Bennett said he was encouraged to run by a neighbor more than a decade ago, and that his decision was driven in part by the desire to create opportunities for the more than 750 former students he taught as a first-grade teacher. "I will think about it all," he said of the decision to run, describing the choice as prayerful and deliberate. "It's been an honor to serve these 12 years," Bennett said.

He identified the recent passage of what he called an "anti grooming" bill as one of his high moments in office, calling the outcome "amazing." Bennett also recounted his work on the bonding committee and a tour of the Hennepin County Coroner's building, describing an observation room that many visitors find unsettling.

Bennett told lighter stories about floor culture — including an anecdote about former Representative Dennis Smith's candy jar and a late-night retiring-speeches memory involving former Representative Tony Albright — using the recollections to illustrate collegial moments and long legislative nights.

Turning to his legacy, Bennett said he hopes to be remembered for caring and for helping bridge gaps between political and geographic divides without compromising principles. "I won't compromise on my principles and you shouldn't have to either. But we can seek to understand and listen and respect and fill those gaps and find solutions that actually work to fix problems," he said.

On his decision to step away, Bennett framed it as personal and principled: "I've determined... I've been a believer in term limits from the start," he said, adding that he is "limiting" himself. He did not specify procedural details about timing or a successor during the remarks.

Bennett named and thanked a range of staff members and nonpartisan research staff, singling out Jody (Weathers?), John Hultquist, Tim Strawman and Christina Para; he also thanked Clerk Patrick Murphy, sergeants at arms and troopers for their work. He closed by reading the opening verses of Psalm 37 and saying his farewell was "not good-bye" but "see later."

The remarks were delivered as a floor address and did not include any formal motions, votes or committee directives recorded in the transcript.