![GOP Rep. Kline Says He Won’t Seek Re-election](http://townsquare.media/site/67/files/2015/09/John-Kline.jpg?w=980&q=75)
GOP Rep. Kline Says He Won’t Seek Re-election
ST. PAUL (AP) - Republican Rep. John Kline, a seven-term lawmaker and chairman of the House Education panel, says he won't seek re-election next year.
Kline has represented southeastern Minnesota's 2nd District since 2002. The 67-year-old former Marine carved out a niche in Congress on military issues and, more recently, on education issues as the head of the committee.
Kline would have lost that gavel after this term as part of a chairmanship term limit. Besides, he says, "it's just kind of time" to move on. He says it's premature to speculate about a campaign for another office in Minnesota, such as governor or Senate in 2018.
His departure leaves an open field in a district trending more competitive. Democratic President Barack Obama won the district in his 2012 campaign.
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