Embattled state Sen. Chris Gerlach, R-Apple Valley, made an abrupt retirement announcement Monday evening.

Gerlach, a high-profile member of the Republican leadership, has been under fire for supporting a "right to work" constitutional amendment, while his private bulk-mail company is taking money from the same political group that is pushing the proposal. He made no mention of the controversy in his announcement.

"While serving in the Legislature is truly an honor and privilege, the family and financial sacrifices are great," Gerlach said in a statement released by the Republican caucus. "Now is the time to reassess my personal priorities."

He went on to say that his decision to retire after 14 years in the Legislature – six in the House and eight in the Senate – was prompted by his desire to spend more time with his wife and two young children, and to "give more attention to his small business."

Gerlach was facing criticism for his decision to do business with the Freedom Fund, a deep-pocketed special intrest group that supports the Right to Work amendment. They hired his company to print leaflets that targeted members of his own caucus who opposed the the measure.

Democrats criticized Gerlach for not disclosing his ties to the group, even as he voted last week to shift the bill – which would allow Minnesotans to opt out of union membership – out of a committee where it might have stalled and into one that approved it by a single vote Monday morning.

Common Cause Minnesota was calling for Gerlach to disclose his client list this week.

In his retirement announcement, Gerlach said he plans to remain active in his community and in Republican politics.