The first-term state legislator and Iraq War veteran will lead the county's Veterans Services Office, according to ABC Newspapers. In March, Kriesel said he wasn't going to seek a second term representing the Cottage Grove area.

The first-term lawmaker is leaving the state legislature to lead the Anoka County’s Veterans Services Office. Kriesel was among the retiring legislators to address the Minnesota House following the adjournment of the 2012 session Thursday morning.

The veteran who lost both legs in the Iraq war says he missed two years of life with his children and that he's stepping down from politics to spend more time with his family. Kriesel gained fame in the Legislature when he became one of few Republicans to speak out against a move to ban same-sex marriage.

Cottage Grove Republican Rep. John Kriesel and Minnesota Senate GOP legislative assistant Bob Koss got into a profanity-laced, digital shouting match over the retiring lawmaker's appearance in an anti-amendment television ad.

Republican representative and war veteran John Kriesel announced on KFAN on Thursday morning that he won't seek another term in the House. "At this time, this is the best decision for my family."