Political Party

Food on a stick and politics

Once again it is time for the Great Minnesota Get-Together. And while the latest new foods on a stick usually grab the limelight, it is worth noting that the fair is also a key political event. Gubernatorial candidates are swarming to the event for the chance to schmooze fair goers and build key support.

The Minnesota DFL has posted a list showing when gubernatorial candidates will be at the party's booth. You can check that out here. In the case of the Republican Party of Minnesota, it looks like it will be more of a hit-and-miss scenario for people looking to chat with a particular gubernatorial candidate. The party's spokesman Mark Drake said GOP gubernatorial candidates will be at the booth but there is not a set schedule as to when they will be there.

However, former House Minority Leader Marty Seifert has already tweeted that he is the only gubernatorial candidate with his own booth.

In addition, state lawmakers can be found at both the House and Senate booths. Click here to Download Memsched09 and here to 

Download Senators_attending

Not many southeast Minnesota lawmakers appear to be making the trek. House Assistant Majority Leader Andy Welti, DFL-Plainview, was at the fair today. House Assistant Minority Leader Randy Demmer, R-Hayfield, will be there from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 2 and Rep. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, is scheduled to be there from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 6.

Taxpayers League scorecard not kind to Roch Democrats

The Taxpayers League of Minnesota has released its annual legislative scorecard. The scores are based on whether or not lawmakers voted for legislation deemed by the organization to be unfriendly to the taxpayer. In many cases, that involves whether or not a lawmaker supported bills with tax increases.

The report card did not have a favorable view of most DFLers — especially in Rochester. On a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 considered a perfect score, no Rochester Democrats received a rating above 13. In southeast Minnesota, the lawmaker with the lowest score was Sen Steve Murphy of Red Wing who netted a 0. 

Rep. Gene Pelowski of Winona was the highest ranking Democrat with a score of 47. That is in large part due to his voting against the DFL tax increase proposals. 

The report heralds Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former House Minority Leader and potential gubernatorial candidate Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, as the "2009 Heroes of the Taxpayers" for standing up against tax increases.

Here is a look at ratings for Southeast Minnesota lawmakers. To look at the Taxpayers League's full list, go here.

Senate

Sharon Erickson Ropes, DFL-Winona — 21

Ann Lynch, DFL-Rochester — 7

Steve Murphy, DFL-Red Wing — 0

David Senjem, R-Rochester — 57

Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin — 14

House

Robin Brown, DFL-rural Austin — 7

Greg Davids, R-Preston — 80

Randy Demmer, R-Hayfield — 80

Steve Drazkowski, R-Wabasha — 87

Tim Kelly, R-Red Wing — 87

Tina Liebling, DFL-Rochester — 13

Kim Norton, DFL-Rochester — 13

Gene Pelowski, DFL-Winona — 47

Jeanne Poppe, DFL-Austin — 27

Andy Welti, DFL-Plainview — 13

Demmer loses leadership bid

Looks like the Rochester area will not have two minority leaders in the Legislature after all.

Hayfield Rep. Randy Demmer was battling it out Tuesday night to be elected minority leader by his fellow House GOP members. But he got beaten out by Rep. Kurt Zellers of Maple Grove. Zellers is serving his fourth term in the House. He takes over for outgoing Minority Leader Marty Seifert of Marshall who stepped down to focus on running for governor in 2010.

Demmer in running as House GOP picks leader

Hayfield Rep. Randy Demmer is still in the running for the top spot for the House GOP.

The 47 members of the minority caucus will gather tonight at 6:30 p.m. to pick a new minority leader to replace Rep. Marty Seifert, of Marshall. Seifert announced earlier this month he was stepping down to run for governor in 2010.

Rep. Tom Emmer of Delano narrowly lost the minority leader post to Seifert. But Emmer said he has decided not to run for the leadership post, instead considering a run for governor. Several other House Republicans are eyeing a bid for the governor's mansion.

Rep. Kurt Zellers, of Maple Grove, is said to be competing for the leadership post. The St. Cloud Times reports that Sauk Rapids Rep. Dan Severson is also considering a run for minority leader.

If Demmer is elected, it would mean both legislative minority leaders represent a portion of Rochester. Rochester Sen. Dave Senjem currently serves as Senate minority leader.

I'll update this blog when I find out who the winner is.

Could there be two minority leaders from Rochester?

During this morning's legislative forum breakfast in Rochester, current House Minority Leader Marty Seifert noted that there has been a lot of buzz about local Rep. Randy Demmer possibly taking his place.

In chatting with Demmer, he confirmed that he is interested in the post. He is currently serving as Assistant House Majority Leader.

"I am considering putting my hat in the ring. I have been encouraged by some members," he said.

Demmer's hometown is Hayfield but his district — 29A — covers not only Dodge County but also part of Rochester and Goodhue County. Senate Minority Leader Dave Senjem, R-Rochester, has served in his post since 2006.

Senjem said he thinks Demmer would be a good choice for House Republicans.

"I think from the outside looking in, he would certainly be on the short list," Senjem said.

House Republicans are expected to elect a new leader later this month — either June 23 or June 24. Seifert announced he was stepping down as he considers a run for governor.

Demmer not convinced of need for Rochester rail bypass

Hayfield Rep. Randy Demmer may not be on board with a plan backed by Mayo Clinic for a railroad bypass that would run south of Rochester.

The bypass would allow Canadian Pacific Railway train traffic to be re-rerouted south of the city. Backers of a proposed high-speed passenger rail line have said this route could also one day connect Rochester to Chicago and the Twin Cities. But the main purpose for the bypass is freight traffic. Mayo Clinic has long been opposed to seeing increased freight traffic come through the city arguing it would be a safety hazard.

But that proposed rail line would run through a good chunk of Demmer's district in Dodge County. The Republican said he has concerns with the proposal.

"I just don't know that I am convinced yet that this is a high enough need to cut through some of the best farm country in the nation," Demmer said.

The 48-mile rail line would start in Dover and end up near Dodge Center.

He said he is also concerned about the project's $325 million price tag and questions whether that is the best use for that money. Still, he said he is trying to keep an open mind. He has already been fielding phone calls from constituents upset about the possible bypass.

Ultimately, Demmer said it is important supporters of the bypass put together public information meetings where residents can see detailed maps and learn how the proposed route could affect them. Supporters also need to be open to hearing the concerns and suggestions of landowners.

"There needs to be that kind of dialogue," he said.