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Gil Gutknecht - 1st District
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Gil Gutknecht entered Congress in 1994 as a soldier in the Republican revolution being led by House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Gingrich is gone, and Gutknecht has found his own path, bucking his party in on key issues such as the nation's milk policy, a crucial concern to this district, and the importation of prescription drugs. In the race for the GOP nomination to the 1st District U.S. House seat in 1994, Gutknecht defeated former U.S. Rep. Arlen Erdahl, in part by trying to claim retiring incumbent Democratic Rep. Tim Penny's mantle of fiscal conservatism. A trained auctioneer, Gutknecht is known for his quick tongue.
In recent sessions, Gutknecht has pressed for prescription drug bill provisions that would allow the importation of U.S.-made pharmaceuticals sold more cheaply abroad and would help push low-cost generic drugs onto the market. Close to home, Gutknecht in August of 2002 voiced his support for expansion plans by the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad, despite opposition to the project from many constituents in Mankato and Rochester who are concerned about noice and traffic problems. Following the 2001 terrorist attacks, the U.S. Bureau of Prisons agreed to transfer Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman, a blind Egyptian cleric convicted in 1995 of plotting to blow up landmarks in New York and Washington, from Rochester's Federal Medical Center to a federal prison in Colorado. Gutknecht had been seeking the transfer for months.
Gutknecht serves on the House Budget, Agriculture, and Science and Technology committees.
Gil Gutknecht was elected to the U.S. House in 1994 with 55 percent of the vote, defeating Democrat John Hottinger. He was re-elected in 1996 with 53 percent of the vote, defeating Democrat Mary Rieder. In 1998, Gutknecht was re-elected defeating Democrat Tracy Beckman with 55 percent of the vote. Facing Rieder again, he was re-elected in 2000 with 56 percent of the vote. In 2002, Gutknecht easily defeated DFL Steve Andreasen by a 61-to-35% margin. He was unopposed in the primary. In 2004, Gutknecht again enjoyed an easy win over DFLer Leigh Pomeroy by a 60%-to-35% margin. See District 1 2004 election results.
Gil Gutknecht entered Congress in 1994 as a soldier in the Republican revolution being led by House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Gingrich is gone, and Gutknecht has found his own path, bucking his party in on key issues such as the nation's milk policy, a crucial concern to this district, and the importation of prescription drugs. In the race for the GOP nomination to the 1st District U.S. House seat in 1994, Gutknecht defeated former U.S. Rep. Arlen Erdahl, in part by trying to claim retiring incumbent Democratic Rep. Tim Penny's mantle of fiscal conservatism. A trained auctioneer, Gutknecht is known for his quick tongue.
In recent sessions, Gutknecht has pressed for prescription drug bill provisions that would allow the importation of U.S.-made pharmaceuticals sold more cheaply abroad and would help push low-cost generic drugs onto the market. Close to home, Gutknecht in August of 2002 voiced his support for expansion plans by the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad, despite opposition to the project from many constituents in Mankato and Rochester who are concerned about noice and traffic problems. Following the 2001 terrorist attacks, the U.S. Bureau of Prisons agreed to transfer Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman, a blind Egyptian cleric convicted in 1995 of plotting to blow up landmarks in New York and Washington, from Rochester's Federal Medical Center to a federal prison in Colorado. Gutknecht had been seeking the transfer for months.
Gutknecht serves on the House Budget, Agriculture, and Science and Technology committees.
Gil Gutknecht was elected to the U.S. House in 1994 with 55 percent of the vote, defeating Democrat John Hottinger. He was re-elected in 1996 with 53 percent of the vote, defeating Democrat Mary Rieder. In 1998, Gutknecht was re-elected defeating Democrat Tracy Beckman with 55 percent of the vote. Facing Rieder again, he was re-elected in 2000 with 56 percent of the vote. In 2002, Gutknecht easily defeated DFL Steve Andreasen by a 61-to-35% margin. He was unopposed in the primary. In 2004, Gutknecht again enjoyed an easy win over DFLer Leigh Pomeroy by a 60%-to-35% margin. See District 1 2004 election results.
Coleman, Oberstar lead in travel on special interests' dime
An investigation by Marketplace, American RadioWorks, and a Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism finds Rep. Jim Oberstar and Sen. Norm Coleman lead Minnesota's congressional delegation when it comes to privately- sponsored trips, paid for by special interests. Good-government proponents say free travel is one of the most abused government perks. (09/28/2004)
Republicans face uphill battle in the 7th
In Minnesota's 7th Congressional District, Republicans face an uphill struggle as they try to unseat incumbent Collin Peterson. Peterson is seeking his 8th term in the U.S. House. His challenger is David Sturrock, a Southwest State University political science professor from Marshall. (09/19/2004)
Does Congress deserve its bad rap?
The 108th Congress has been called one of the least productive in history. But one scholar says the American institution is often misunderstood. ( 09/14/2004)
Race for Minnesota's 2nd District takes shape
The race for President has been overshadowing some other campaigns in Minnesota. One of them is in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District. The contest between Republican John Kline and DFLer Teresa Daly mirrors many of the issues being discussed in the presidential contest. The war in Iraq is at the top of the list of issues that the two candidates are debating. (09/05/2004)
Delegation visit frames question: How best to serve?
A group of Minnesotans attending the Republican National Convention in New York spent several hours on Tuesday painting a day care center. The volunteer work was part of the Republican Party's theme of "compassionate conservatism." Minnesota Republicans say the activity highlights their belief that the government can't fix all of society's problems, and individuals need to step to the plate. Critics say while Republicans talk about compassion, Republican officials have cut much of the safety net for people in need. (08/31/2004)
Minnesota representatives get a firsthand look at the Middle East
Two of Minnesota's U.S. Congressional Representatives, returning from an eight-day tour of Iraq and other Middle Eastern countries, share their impressions of the situation there. ( 08/16/2004)
Mark Kennedy touts experience in re-election campaign
Congressman Mark Kennedy finds himself in his third competitive race in three runs for the U.S. House. The Republican narrowly defeated an incumbent in 2000. In 2002, he ran against a well-financed challenger and now he's running against the well-known, well-financed Patty Wetterling. Kennedy has been mentioned in Republican party circles as a possible opponent to DFL Sen. Mark Dayton in 2006. But Kennedy says he's focusing on keeping his seat in Congress. (08/12/2004)
Kennedy, McCollum leave Iraq with different impressions
Finishing up a congressional trip to Iraq, Rep. Betty McCollum was struck by how fearful ordinary Iraqis were of continued violence. Rep. Mark Kennedy, on the same trip, marveled at how much things are improving. (08/09/2004)
Farmfest's congressional forum
It's an election year, so more than machinery was on hand at this summer's Farmfest. Plenty of politicians were there, too, at the Gilfillan Estate near Morgan. The event will include a variety of candidates and government officials participated in a candidate forum. ( 08/06/2004)
Pols get earful from educators on No Child Left Behind law
One of the architects of the federal Leave No Child Behind law faced a round of criticism on Thursday from Minnesota educators. The chair of the U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee met in Woodbury with a group of principals, school superintendents and teachers to talk about concerns with federal education policies. (08/05/2004)
Congressional candidates debate trade policies
Several hundred people at a congressional debate at Farmfest on Tuesday got a preview of the fall election campaign. Candidates from several Minnesota congressional districts tackled everything from rural education to ethanol. Some of the sharpest opinions concerned U.S. trade policy. (08/04/2004)
Wetterling is working hard to raise money and attention in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District
Political junkies will be scanning the latest fundraising reports, looking to see how candidates in the most competitive races are faring. In Minnesota they'll pay particular attention to the 6th Congressional District race between Republican incumbent Mark Kennedy and DFLer Patty Wetterling. The race may come down to experience versus name recognition. Kennedy is hoping that voters will appreciate his two terms in office over Wetterling's popularity. (07/15/2004)
Wetterling's campaign theme: Children are our future
DFLers have made it official: Patty Wetterling is the party's choice to unseat Republican Mark Kennedy this fall in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District. The unanimous endorsement came before Saturday's DFL state convention in Duluth. (05/21/2004)
Rep. John Kline on Iraqi prisoner abuse
Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee today are expected to see more pictures and video of American soldiers abusing Iraqi prisoners. The Pentagon will make the material available for viewing in a high-security room in the Capitol. The viewing comes a day after the beheading of an American citizen was shown on an Islamic Website. The video said the killing of Nick Berg was to avenge the abuse of Iraqis by American soldiers. Minnesota Second District Congressman Republican John Kline is on the House Armed Services committee. He says it is unclear when the new images of prisoner abuse will be made public. (05/12/2004)
Wetterling jumps into broader political arena in Congress bid
Patty Wetterling made it official Tuesday, announcing her candidacy for Minnesota's 6th Congressional district. She'll run as a Democrat against incumbent Republican Rep. Mark Kennedy. Tragedy has given Patty Wetterling tremendous name recognition. In 1989, her son Jacob was abducted at gunpoint near his St. Joseph home, and he's been missing ever since. Wetterling has spent 14 years pushing for state and national legislation to deal with violence against children. Now Wetterling will need to convince people her candidacy is about more than one issue. (05/11/2004)
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