Local banker to run for Minnesota House seat

After years of being active in DFL politics behind the scenes, Pat Stallman announced he will run for the Minnesota House.

According to current legislative district boundaries, that would pit Stallman against first-term Republican Rep. Mike Benson. But the courts will not release the new redistricting maps until Feb. 21.

Stallman, 60, of Rochester, works as a business banker at Olmsted National Bank. With plans to retire March 31, Stallman said he decided it was the right time to run for office.

"I have spent most of my time making a living and raising a family, and now that I have an opportunity to retire and devote full time to a political position and an office, it's time to do it," he said.

Stallman said he wants to run because he believes lawmakers have unfairly increased the tax burden on property owners by getting rid of the Market Value Homestead Credit program. He also opposes borrowing money from K-12 schools to help balance the budget.

"That's no way to run a government, that's no way to run a school district and it's no way to run a business," he said.

Stallman said he supports DFL Gov. Mark Dayton's proposal to raise income taxes on wealthier Minnesotans to help address the state's long-term budget problems.

Stallman is Olmsted County DFL treasurer. He has a degree in agricultural economics and has spent 40 years working in the financial services sector.