St. Paul Sen. Sandy Pappas retiring in 2026
DFL Sen. Sandy Pappas, who represents St. Paul’s SD 65 and chairs the Senate Capital Investment Committee, announced she will retire after the 2026 session, ending a 42‑year legislative career. The former Senate president (2013–2016) highlighted work on bonding and local projects like Pedro Park, the Third Street–Kellogg Bridge, the North End Community Center and Union Depot; her departure creates an open seat in central St. Paul and a change in leadership over statewide infrastructure funding.
📌 Key Facts
- Announcement date: Nov. 6, 2025; retirement effective after the 2026 session
- First elected to House in 1984; to Senate in 1990; Senate President 2013–2016
- Current role: Chair, Senate Capital Investment Committee (oversees bonding bills)
- District 65 covers Midway, Frogtown, North End, West Seventh, Summit‑University, downtown, West Side, and parts of West St. Paul
- Recent context: No bonding bill since 2023; Pappas will have one more session to advance capital investment in 2026