Austin school board member to challenge Sparks

Austin Post-Bulletin reporter Tim Ruzek reports today that longtime Austin School Board member Kathy Green plans to run against DFL Sen. Dan Sparks for the Senate District 27 seat.

In the story, Green said she plans to run as a Republican describing herself as a fiscal conservative with bipartisan credentials. Part of what has motivated her to jump into the race is concern about how the state's budget woes since 2002 have impacted schools.

"I can no longer sit on the sidelines," Green said.

Sparks, first elected in 2002, filed Wednesday for re-election to a third term. In 2006, Sparks won by 68 percent to 32 percent over GOP candidate George Marin, of Albert Lea.