Political Notebook

Gander dropping out of Senate race?

A rumor is circulating that Republican Jim Gander is dropping out of the Senate District 30 race. Tonight is the GOP's endorsing convention for the district. So is it true?

I called Gander, who owns Rochester's Superior Mechanical. When asked about the rumor, he said "I am not prepared to make that announcement today."

When I pressed him on whether or not he was running, he said, "I don't think you deserve to know before the delegates deserve to know."

I did follow up and ask if he would make the announcement at tonight's endorsing convention, and he said if the rumor is true that "would be a good assumption."

Gander has been busy campaigning to run against 1st term DFL Sen. Ann Lynch of Rochester. He embraced a construction theme as part of his campaign with the slogan "Jim Works." Here is his Web site. 

Republican Party of Olmsted County Co-chair Bruce Kaskubar said he could not comment on the rumor.

The endorsing convention begins at 7 p.m. at the Heintz Center at Rochester Community and Technical College.

Rochester businessman to challenge Lynch

Jim Gander, owner of Superior Plumbing & Heating, is planning to challenge Sen. Ann Lynch for the Senate District 30 Seat.

Gander filed his paperwork last week to establish a campaign committee with the Minnesota Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board.

Gander is a well-known figure in the Rochester business community. He started his business in 1982 selling water treatment products out of his Rochester home. Since then, his business has swelled to more than 150 employees. He is the past president of the Minnesota Builders Association. Gander will be seeking the Republican endorsement for the seat.

The Post-Bulletin interviewed Gander recently about his concerns with the Democrats' health care reform proposal. Here is also a light-hearted question and answer with him from Rochester Magazine.

Lynch, a Democrat, is completing her first-term in the Minnesota Senate after winning election in 2006.