Jim Abeler said Wednesday he will try to return to the Legislature.
Abeler, an Anoka chiropractor who served in the House from 1999 until the beginning of this year, said in a statement that he will run for the state Senate. Abeler will officially kick off his campaign on October 6 at an event in Anoka.
Senate District 35 includes Anoka, Andover and parts of Coon Rapids. The current state senator, Republican Branden Petersen, is not running for re-election. A longtime GOP activist, Andy Aplikowski, is also running for the seat.
Abeler didn't run for re-election to the House last year, opting instead to mount a long-shot U.S. Senate bid. He lost the primary to endorsed GOP candidate Mike McFadden. Abeler was known around the Capitol for his work on health and human services funding issues, as well as an easygoing style and ability to work across party lines.
