MN Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm Is Stepping Down

ST. PAUL, MN — Gov. Tim Walz Wednesday announced several key cabinet vacancies ahead of his second term in office, including Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm.

Malcolm helped oversee the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Commissioner of Public Safety John Harrington, Commissioner of Education Dr. Heather Mueller, and Commissioner of Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Mark Phillips also chose not to seek reappointment.

"I’m grateful to our entire cabinet for their years of service to Minnesota," Walz said in a statement.

"Together, we made historic investments in education, achieved the lowest unemployment rate of any state in history, and protected the health and safety of Minnesotans. I look forward to building the team that will help us kick off our second term."

“Working with Governor Walz and his team to help Minnesota navigate the COVID-19 pandemic was the most challenging and meaningful work I’ve done in my career, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve," Malcolm said.

"I am so proud to have done this work with my colleagues at the Minnesota Department of Health and our local public health partners, as well as our health care systems and community organizations, over the course of my career. I know they will continue the vital work of protecting, maintaining, and improving the health of all Minnesotans."

Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan also announced the following reappointments:

• Commissioner of Administration Alice Roberts-Davis
• Commissioner of Agriculture Thom Petersen
• Commissioner of Commerce Grace Arnold
• Commissioner of Corrections Paul Schnell
• Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development Steve Grove
• Commissioner of Higher Education Dennis Olson
• Commissioner of Housing Jennifer Leimaile Ho
• Commissioner of Human Rights Rebecca Lucero
• Commissioner of Human Services Jodi Harpstead
• Commissioner of Management and Budget Jim Schowalter
• Commissioner of Information Technology Services Tarek Tomes
• Commissioner of Mediation Services Johnny Villarreal
• Commissioner of Natural Resources Sarah Strommen
• Commissioner of Pollution Control Katrina Kessler
• Commissioner of Transportation Nancy Daubenberger
• Commissioner of Veterans Affairs Larry Herke

Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan opened the application process to fill vacancies for the leaders of the following cabinet agencies:

• Department of Education
• Department of Health
• Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation
• Department of Labor and Industry
• Department of Public Safety
• Department of Revenue