Sen. Paul Muegge Announces Retirement

OKLAHOMA CITY Saying he has accomplished all his goals as a state legislator and is looking forward to spending more time with his family, State Senator Paul Muegge announced today that he is retiring from the Oklahoma Legislature.

The veteran legislator from Tonkawa said he would step down at the conclusion of legislative business this year and would not seek re-election to his Senate District 20 office in November. The 65-year old farmer and rancher has represented citizens in Alfalfa, Grant, Kay, Major and Woods counties for the past 12 years.

Theres no better job than serving the people of northern Oklahoma, but just like every job, you eventually reach a point when you feel that youve accomplished everything that you can accomplish. I enjoyed the challenges of serving in the Legislature, but I also enjoy spending time with my family and community, and thats what I really want to focus on in my retirement years, said Muegge (D-Tonkawa).

During his career in the Legislature, Muegge rose to one of the most influential leadership positions in the State Senate chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. He also drew state and national attention in 1998 for his successful fight to strengthen regulations on corporate pig and poultry farming in Oklahoma. For that work, he was named Public Official of the Year by Governing magazine a national publication that covers federal, state and local government.

It was a major fight, Muegge said. But, in the end, it was worth it. I believe our environment is better protected today because of the work we did here in the Legislature.

In addition to spending time with family and community, the legislator said he plans to remain active in state and national rural development issues during his retirement years.

Muegge and his wife Nancy will remain in Tonkawa where they have lived for the past 29 years. The couple has four children Tim, Shawn, Jeff, and Amy and two grandchildren David and Olivia Ryan.