Minnesota state Rep. Ryan Winkler, an outspoken DFL lawmaker in his fifth term, will resign from the Legislature this summer to move to Belgium.

Winkler’s wife Jenny, has accepted a job as an executive with the Rezidor Hotel Group, which is headquartered in Brussels. Their entire family will move to Belgium this summer.

“We are enthusiastic to be a part of Minnesota’s increasingly important role in the global economy,” Winkler said in a statement. “But taking this step has led me to the difficult decision to step down from the House of Representatives this summer.”

Winkler, an attorney from Golden Valley, earned a reputation for quick wit and tireless, sometimes needling, advocacy for his chosen issues. While most of his ire was reserved for Republicans, he could be equally ardent in battling DFLers who he felt were thwarted what he thought right.

He championed campaign finance overhaul, which some fellow DFLers did not back, and fought for the state’s higher minimum wage law with an automatic inflator.

When he rose to his feet to speak, members knew that someone would be in for a bruising. His snarky, intelligent style was dubbed “Winklering” by southern Minnesota blogger Sally Jo Sorensen, a verb adopted by admirers and detractors alike.

“Most of all we will miss his impatience with injustice. He is always willing to take on the tough fights and not back down,” said Minority Leader Paul Thissen, DFL-Minneapolis, who was not always immune from Winkler’s wrath.

Winkler hasn’t set a date for his resignation. Winkler is the first lawmaker to resign since the November 2014 election. His resignation will force a special election.

Winkler’s District 46A is considered a safe DFL district.