Political Notebook

Walz not included in Strib's Voter's Guide

I was startled when I opened the Star Tribune's Voter's Guide this morning and saw that DFL incumbent Congressman Tim Walz was not included in the 1st Congressional District race profiles. There is a note at the bottom of the page that says "Tim Walz, DFL, also is on the ballot but did not participate in the voter's guide." Hmm.......

I did place a call to Walz's campaign and I am waiting to hear back on whether they intentionally decided not to participate or if it was a mistake. While Walz is not in the guide, all three of his opponents are — Republican Randy Demmer, independent Lars Johnson and IP candidate Steven Wilson.  It appears that Walz was the only congressional incumbent who did not participate in the Voter's Guide.

UPDATE: Just talked to the Walz' campaign's Communications Director Sara Severs who said that the campaign did make the decision not to participate in the Star Tribune Voter's Guide. She said they were inundated with requests and it became a "triage" situation. She said they determined other requests were more important but that nothing should be read into the decision not to participate in this voter's guide.

Walz-Demmer showdown today in Rochester

The 1st Congressional District candidates will square off for today in their one and only Rochester debate. Republican Randy Demmer, Democrat incumbent Tim Walz, Independence Party candidate Steven Wilson and independent Lars Johnson will all take part in the Minnesota News Network/AARP sponsored debate at 1 p.m. at the Heintz Center at Rochester Community and Technical College.

The candidates plan to fire up their supporters before the debate. Demmer has planned a pre-debate rally at 11:15 a.m. at Olmsted County GOP Headquarters at 1530 Greenview Dr. S.W., Suite 114 in Rochester. A Walz pre-debate rally is planned at noon in front of the Heintz Center.

Kline campaigns in Rochester for Demmer today

2nd District GOP Congressman John Kline is campaigining across southern Minnesota today in support of congressional candidate Randy Demmer — including a stop in Rochester.

The stops are focused on businesses with three stops planned at different area companies. The first stop was at 10 a.m. in Mankato at Lindsay Windows. At noon they will be at General Equipment Company in Owatonna and at 2 p.m. they will tour Seneca Foods in Rochester with a media availability to follow.

Demmer, of Hayfield, is trying to unseat 2-term DFL 1st District Rep. Tim Walz of Mankato. Also running is IP candidate Steven Wilson and independent candidate Lars Johnson, both of Rochester.

Walz and veterans on the campaign trail

DFL Congressman Tim Walz's support of veterans is taking centerstage in his campaign for re-election. On the heels of a recent TV ad promoting Walz's work to help Vietnam War-era veterans exposed to Agent Orange, the Veterans for Walz group is sponsoring meetings  with veterans in Austin and Winona today.

A news release says the event is aimed at talking about the differences between himself and Republican Randy Demmer on the issue of veterans. The release states that "in light of the Demmer campaign's insistance that Tim and Representative Demmer are the same when it comes to veterans' issues, local vetearns are holding discussions with fellow veterans around the district to discuss the clear choice in November."

Yesterday, Walz traveled to the Rochester VFW to announce he has been endorsed by the VFW PAC.His office also announced today that Walz is sponsoring a bill to help prevent vetearns with VA home loans from becoming homeless due to foreclosure.

Demmer Campaign Manager Jason Flohrs has repeatedly said that Demmer would also be committed to helping veterans if elected. This does pose a dicey situation for Walz's opponents — including IP candidate Steven Wilson and independent Lars Johnson. If they criticize Walz for focusing on his efforts to help veterans, they run the danger of looking like they don't care about veterans' issues.

 

 

Demmer joins the "Young Guns"

Republican congressional candidate Randy Demmer has been elevated to "Young Guns" status by the National Republican Congressional Committee. That means he is ranked among the top-tier of GOP candidates. It also shows that national Republicans are zeroing in on the 1st Congressional District race.

Demmer is running against two-term DFL incumbent Tim Walz. Also running is IP candidate Steven Wilson and independent candidate Lars Johnson.

In a news release, NRCC chairman Pete Sessions is quoted saying that Demmer has shown he can beat Walz.

"Randy's campaign is a symbol of the growing momentum behind Republican candidates in Minnesota and across the country. As Democrats and their party bosses continue to force their big-government, big-spending policies onto the backs of hard-working families, Republicans like Randy Demmer will continue to present a clear alternative to a Democrat majority that unapologetically spends too much, borrows too much and taxes too much," Sessions said.

In order to be named a "Young Gun," Demmer's campaign had to reach what the release calls "substantial" fundraising goals along with having a winnable campaign. Demmer is one of 18 GOP candidates added today to the NRCC's Young Guns program. Republicans are hopeful that the conservative tide will help them reclaim the 1st District seat. Walz won in 2006 during a Democratic voting wave, beating out longtime GOP Congressman Gil Gutknecht.

Update: The Walz campaign's Communications Director Sara Severs released the following statement:

"Representative Demmer may be a “young gun," but he can’t shoot straight. He’s a typical, career politician whose record proves he has no new ideas, only the same failed policies of the past. There is a clear choice in this campaign and we’re confident southern Minnesota voters will recognize his pitiful record for what it is."

Rochester congressional debate cancelled

A 1st Congressional District debate slated for Monday has been canceled since DFL Congressman Tim Walz declined to participate. The Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce and the Post-Bulletin had partnered to sponsor the debate.

Chamber president John Wade said it did not make sense to hold the debate even though the three other candidates — Republican Randy Demmer, IP candidate Steven Wilson and independent Lars Johnson — had planned to attend.

"At least in recent memory this is the first time that we have ever had to cancel a debate because of a lack of participation from a primary candidate in the race, in this case Congressman Walz who has declined the invitation of the chamber and the Post-Bulletin to participate in what has proven to be a very effective debate," Wade said.

When turning down the offer, Walz's campaign cited concerns about the $20 chamber member/$30 non-member charge for the luncheon event and the fact that independent Lars Johnson had not been invited to participate. To try to accommodate his concerns, the event was made free for those who did not want lunch and Johnson was invited to participate.

The Walz campaign already said it would participate in a total of three debates across the First Congressional District, including one in Rochester sponsored by the Minnesota News Network and AARP. The final date has not yet been set for that debate.

A gubernatorial debate is still set for Oct. 22.

UPDATE: The Walz campaign's Communications Director Sara Severs sent along this statement regarding the debate.

“Tim is looking forward to a robust, open debate and welcomes all Rochester Chamber members to attend the debate in Rochester being sponsored by the Minnesota News Network and AARP  -- for free. Tim is eager for the chance to continue sharing his ideas on the economy and private sector job growth.”

Wilson to unveil jobs and energy plan today

Independence Party congressional candidate Steven Wilson will be unveiling a jobs and energy plan at a press conference at 1 p.m today in Pine Island.

Wilson, of Rochester, is running for the 1st Congressional District seat held by Democrat Tim Walz of Mankato. Also running are Republican Randy Demmer of Hayfield and independent candidate Lars Johnson of Rochester.

Wilson plans to hold the press conference at a "zero energy" or "grid neutral" home under construction in Pine Island. He plans to discuss proposals aimed at energy independence, job creation and protecting national security.

In the press release, Wilson is quoted as saying, "We are lacking a vision for our nation. We need something that can bring us together. This new vision for America is something that people on the right and the left can get excited about."

Wilson recently returned from a one-year tour in Iraq working as a U.S. diplomat embedded with the U.S. Army. He has been active in the localTea Party movement.

Debating the debates: Demmer, Walz campaigns busy negotiating

DFL Congressman Tim Walz's campaign kicked off a debate over just how many debates the 1st Congressional District candidates should have in the lead up to the Nov. 2 campaign. Walz's campaign sent a letter to his three opponents inviting them to participate in three, 90 minute debates. One debate would be in Rochester on jobs and the economy, a second would be in Mankato on veterans issues and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The third would be a television debate.

Republican Randy Demmer's campaign promptly responded to the invite accepting all three debates and asking for eight more debates. Demmer's Campaign Manager Jason Flohrs said in a letter to the Walz campaign that there needs to be more opportunity for voters to hear from the candidates. He added that the Demmer campaign would like to see the debates open to any topic — not just narrowed to a single issue.

"Make no mistake, voters across this district want to hear answers regarding the lack of job creation, slowing economic recovery, and out-of-control deficit spending. To go to Mankato (as you suggest) and duck the concerns that voters have on those issues would be a disservice to those attending," Flohrs wrote.

In particular, the Demmer campaign wants Walz to participate in the KSTP/League of Women Voters debate, a joint appearance on TPT's Almanac and A Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored debate.

Walz's campaign manager Richard Carlbom emphasized in his letter the campaign's three requirements for participating in a debate. One of those is that the forum be free and open to the public, which has not traditionally been the case with the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce debates. The forums must also be open to the media and organized and moderated by a notable, non-partisan entity.

No word yet from the two other candidates — Independence Party candidate Steven Wilson and Lars Johnson, who has no party affiliation. Johnson was not invited to participate in the FarmFest debate earlier this month.

Walz to visit Brownsdale business tomorrow

Fresh off his visit to Farmfest, 1st District DFL Rep. Tim Walz will be in Brownsdale tomorrow to tour a local business. Walz will tour IBI Data  tomorrow morning and meet with the owner and business leaders and discuss ways to help small businesses.

IBI employs about 60 employees and in 2009 was named on of the "Best Places to Work" and in 2010 won the "Woman Business of the Year Award" from the National Association of Women Business Owners.

Three candidates are running against Walz in the November election They are Republican Randy Demmer, Independent Steven Wilson and no party candidate Lars Johnson.

Demmer taps former congressman to chair his campaign

1st Congressional District Republican candidate Randy Demmer announced that former GOP Congressman Vin Weber is serving as chairman of his campaign. In a news release, Demmer, of Hayfield, said he picked Weber because of his knowledge of southern Minnesota.

"Nobody understands Southern Minnesota better than Vin Weber. I am proud to have him serve as my campaign chair and help guide us through to victory in this fall’s election," Demmer said.

Weber is currently a managing partner of Washington D.C. lobbying firm Clark & Weinstock. In the news release, Weber is quoted as saying:

“Randy Demmer is going to win, because he knows what Southern Minnesota needs – he has lived and worked here his whole life. I know he’s got what it takes to stand up to Washington, and truly serve and represent the people in his District. Voters are rightfully concerned with the direction that this Congress and Administration are taking our country.  Whether it’s the cap and trade tax, the government takeover of health care, or the accumulation of trillions of dollars of new debt, the people of Southern Minnesota will vote this fall for new leadership and a new direction.”

Other individuals on Demmer's campaign team include Scott Cottington of the Cottington Group, who is serving as general consultant to the campaign. Pollster Brian Tringali and the Tarrance Group will handle Demmer for Congress’ polling. Rounding out the campaign team are Campaign Manager Jason Flohrs, Political Director Ben Zierke and fundraisers Tom McGill and Zandra Walcott of Bush Lake Partners and Amber Burton of Capitol Strategies DC.  

Demmer is running against DFL incumbent Congressman Tim Walz. Also running in the race are Independence Party candidate Steven Wilson and no-party candidate Lars Johnson.