The Democratic official that Minnesota Republicans most love to hate announced he will not run again for secretary of state.
In announcing he would not seek a third term next year, Mark Ritchie told reporters that, at 61, it was time to make way "for the next generation of talented leadership."
Five years ago, Ritchie oversaw the drawn-out and controversial recount in which Democrat Al Franken overcame sitting Republican Sen. Norm Coleman, who had led in the first two counts of the ballots.
Angry Republicans appealed the outcome to the state Supreme Court but the judges would not get involved.
In 2010, the Senate recount was a major issue in Republican Dan "Doc" Severson's campaign against Ritchie, but the incumbent Democrat won again by a margin of 49 percent to 46 percent.
John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax.
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