Political Notebook

Powers to challenge Kline — again

Burnsville resident Dan Powers announced he will once again challenge 2nd District GOP Rep. John Kline. The construction contractor made the announcement in an open letter to Kline posted yesterday on his Facebook page. He starts off the letter by writing, "I wanted to let you know that I do not think you understand what our congressional district or the country really need."

He cites four specific reasons he believes Kline does not represent the constituents of the 2nd Congressional District.

"Continuing this disregard for our district you have,

1) voted for a draconian budget proposed by Paul Ryan, that would end Medicare as we know it for those less than 55,

2) voted to continue a tax break for big oil without regards to the record profits these companies are earning,

3) voted to borrow 700 billion dollars and increase the deficit to extend tax cuts to the richest Americans while cutting(taking) money away from the poorest and

4) you voted to repeal health care while retaining your own knowing that the cost of repealing it would add to the federal deficit."

Powers ran against Kline in 2010. He won the DFL party nomination but lost in the primary to former state Rep. Shelley Madore. Kline easily won re-election defeating Madore with 63 percent of the vote.

The 2nd Congressional District has been a safe seat for Republicans in recent years. But there is one unknown for the 2012 election — how the congressional district lines will be redrawn as part of redistricting. A Republican legislative proposal calls for making the 2nd Congressional District more rural — including the absorption of Wabasha County. DFL Gov. Mark Dayton vetoed the redistricting plan so it appears likely the issue will be headed to the courts.

 

A local election wrap-up

Here's a quick recap of the big races. The Associated Press is reporting that Minnesota House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher has officially conceded to former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton in the DFL gubernatorial race. Statewide, Dayton beat Kelliher by 6,777 votes with 99 percent of precincts reporting. In total, Dayton got 41 percent of the vote and Kelliher got 40 percent. Former state Rep. Matt Entenza came in a distant third with 18 percent.

In Olmsted County, Kelliher narrowly beat Dayton winning by 164 votes.

Republican-endorsed candidate Tom Emmer easily won last night's primary with 82 percent of the vote. That is the same percentage of the vote he got in Olmsted County receiving 3,380 votes.

Independent Party-endorsed candidate Tom Horner got 64 percent of the statewide vote with the second place challenger — Winona-native Rob Hahn — getting 14 percent. Horner did even better in Olmsted County getting 76 percent of the vote.

GOP-endorsed candidate Duane Quam easily defeated challenger Kerry Stoick in the House District 29A Republican primary. He got 66 percent of the vote while Stoick got 34 percent. Quam will now take on DFL-endorsed candidate Doug Wunderlich for retiring GOP Rep. Randy Demmer's seat. Demmer stepped down to run for Congress.

In Senate District 28, DFL-endorsed candidate Joe Fricke had a decisive victory over Bruce Montplaisir getting 75 percent of the vote. Fricke will take on Republican John Howe, current mayor of Red Wing. They are battling to replace retiring DFL Sen. Steve Murphy of Red Wing.

One of the big surprises of the night came in the 2nd Congressional District DFL primary where former state Rep. Shelley Madore beat out the DFL-endorsed candidate Dan Powers. Madore got 55 percent of the vote with Powers getting 45 percent. Madore will challege Republican incumbent Congressman John Kline.

Demmer, Powers to file for election today

Two candidates hoping to knock of congressional incumbents are filing for office today.

Republican Rep. Randy Demmer of Hayfield was expected to file for office in St. Paul  at 10 a.m. for the First Congressional District seat held by Democrat Tim Walz.

This afternoon, the DFL-endorsed candidate for the 2nd Congressional District Dan Powers will file for office at the Minnesota Secretary of State's office. Powers is running against Republican John Kline.

Walz filed for office on Monday and Kline filed for office last week.