The first hints of nicer weather in the current season make us Minnesotans do very strange things. There’s a special brand of optimism that we’re imbued with, a mild delusion that persuades us that temperatures that are barely above freezing qualify as “sweatshirt weather” provided the sun is up. Some brave souls were even spotted jogging in shorts during last week’s “warm snap” (quotes added because most of the country considers temperatures in the mid thirties to be incredibly cold). Perhaps some of this spring fever is making its way to the capitol over in St. Paul, because a surprising contingent of state senators have recently announced their transition to the greener pastures of civilian life. Chief among them are veritable lions of the state senate: James Vickerman, a Democrat representing District 22 and Pat Pariseau, a Republican representing District 36.

Vickerman, boasting an impressive 24 years in legislature, isn’t facing any democratic contest for reelection and recently carried 58% of the vote during his last bid for office but declined to return for the upcoming election. District 22 is prime southwest MN farm territory, and the Senator spent his extensive tenure in office representing the interests of farmers and veterans in the capitol. Current contenders vying for Vickerman’s empty seat are Kim Hummel of Jackson County and Bill Weber of Luverne, both Republicans. Hummel, a newbie to the MN political scene, comes from a background of long haul trucking and has voiced support for tax-breaks for business and fiscal responsibility in government, as well as the usual farm issues from the area. Bill Weber faced off against Vickerman for the chair back in the 2006 election.

Pat Pariseau will also end her storied 22 year career in the state senate this fall, announcing Monday that she wound not seek reelection to represent Dakota county in District 36. Pariseau is probably best know for her authoring of the controversial “Conceal and Carry “ legislation that allows handgun permits to be issued to most Minnesotans, a move that has won her the support of gun activists across the state. Pariseau has also been involved heavily in outdoors issues, although she voted to scrap the metro vehicle emissions program, a test designed to test metro-area driver’s vehicles for polluting exhaust. While the DFL hasn’t endorsed a candidate for the seat yet, the GOP field is considerably more hectic, with three candidates in the running: Bob Erickson (no, this isn’t the same one that crashed the tea party rally at the capitol a few months back), Theresa Stokes and Dave Thompson.

Stokes identifies as a conservative Republican and is entering the running with little political experience under her belt. A Farmington resident, Stokes worked in management in the private sector until her husband, a lieutenant in the Marines, was stationed in Okinawa. She moved with her family and became active in community involvement in the base, which inspired her to move into politics. As a candidate, Stokes walks the party line, emphasizing immigration control, and nuclear power as a form of alternative energy.

Dave Thompson is a bit of a bigger name in this race, popular with conservatives in the metro area for his eponymously titled show on KSTP AM1500 as well as his appearances on the local politics television show “At Issue with Tom Hauser.” Thompson ran for Minnesota GOP Party Chair in 2009 but was defeated by Tony Sutton. The candidate seeks to return Minnesota to a policy of limited government and the creation of jobs.

In addition to Vickerman and Pariseau’s resignation, Republican senator Dick Day of District 26 stepped down midterm and is to be replaced by Republican Mike Parry, who was voted in via special election in January. DFL senator Steve Murphy of District 28 has declared that he will not seek reelection, a sentiment echoed by Steve Dille, Republican, of District 18.