Campaign 2008

'08 session is the last for pioneering Minnesota legislator

St. Paul, Minn. — (AP) - A history-making state legislator is calling it quits after four terms.

Rep. Neva Walker has informed her colleagues and constituents that she won't seek re-election in 2008. Walker broke ground in 2000 when she became Minnesota's first and only black woman ever elected to the Legislature.

In separate December letters to fellow lawmakers and district residents, the Minneapolis Democrat said she wanted to turn her focus to something else but she hasn't settled on precisely what.

Already, two candidates have launched a campaign to replace her.

Community organizer Farheen Hakeem on Wednesday announced her campaign for the Green Party's nomination. Hakeem ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Minneapolis in 2005, and for Hennepin County Commissioner in 2006.

Affordable housing advocate Jeff Hayden of the DFL Party also announced his candidacies Wednesday.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)