Minnesota Hospital Association PAC backs Horner

Posted at 5:25 PM on October 14, 2010 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: Minnesota Governor

The Minnesota Hospitals Political Action Committee announced today that it's backing the Independence Party's Tom Horner in the race for governor. The PAC rarely backs a candidate in the governor's race but MN Hospital Association President Lawrence Massa said the state's deep budget problems and the health care changes that lie ahead prompted them to take a side in the race.

It's not a huge surprise that Horner received the backing of the hospital PAC. Horner did public relations work for several hospitals when he owned the PR firm Himle Horner. He also kept the hospitals as his client when he sold his ownership in the firm because the hospitals were dealing with a nurse's strike over the summer.

For his part, Horner praised the endorsement.

"For more than two decades I helped local hospitals have meaningful conversations about strengthening the state's health care system and the important role that hospitals play in delivering that care," said Horner. "We need a governor who understands the challenges facing health care. My professional work and my volunteer work have provided me with a unique understanding of those challenges."

This is the second health care related endorsement for Horner. He also received the backing of the Minnesota Medical Association.

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