He was just re-elected without opposition, but Rep. Terry Morrow, DFL-St. Peter, announced Wednesday that he will be leaving the Legislature instead of serving a fourth term.

Morrow announced that he has decided to take a job in Chicago with the Uniform Law Commission, a nonpartisan organization that works with states and foreign nations in drafting uniform statutes. Morrow said the opportunity arose after he was re-elected on Nov. 6.

He said he plans to step down at the end of his current term in early January. A special election will have to be called by Gov. Mark Dayton to choose a successor.

"It's been a fantastic six years," Morrow said. "Getting to know the people in my district, people from all political persuasions, getting work done together. These six years have not only restored but confirmed my faith that Americans can govern, and can govern themselves, despite what we may sometimes see in the media."

Morrow said Republican Rep. Morrie Lanning of Moorhead was among his closest friends. The two worked together to help pass a Vikings stadium bill last session. He said he is also proud of working to improve Highway 14 in his district.

Morrow is a lawyer and professor who teaches at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, where he directed the college's pre-law program.

He said the Uniform Law Commission works to develop uniform statutes among states and nations in such areas as wills, trusts and estates, and developed the uniform commercial code to standardize sales and transactions. The commission also works with nations on such issues as human trafficking.