State Sen. Bev Scalze, DFL-Little Canada, became the second DFL state senator to announce she will not seek re-election next year, ending a public service career that began nearly 40 years ago.

Scalze, first elected to the Minnesota House in 2004, served as a local school board member in Little Canada for 24 years. In a statement, Scalze said she planned to spend more time with family.

"I am looking forward [to] having more time to spend with my family, especially my two granddaughter who live in Florida," she said. "I am also eager to focus more time and energy on my wildlife art."

Scalze joins Sen. Barb Goodwin, DFL-Columbia Heights, who recently said she would also forego another legislative race in 2016.