Mayville state Sen. Elroy Lindaas resigns

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Mayville state Sen. Elroy Lindaas has resigned from the North Dakota Senate.

The 73-year-old Democrat said Thursday that his wife, Janice, is suffering from dementia and he must stay home to care for her.

The North Dakota Legislature begins its organizational session on Monday. Its regular session begins Jan. 4.

Lindaas represents District 20 in east-central North Dakota. It includes Traill County and parts of Cass, Barnes and Steele counties.

North Dakota law allows the district's Democratic activists to appoint someone to serve out the two years left on Lindaas' term.

Lindaas is a retired farmer. He served in the Senate for 20 years.

Lindaas was a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and he says education and human services were especially important to him during his tenure.

Tags: north dakota legislature, mayville, lindaas