Capitol View Category Archive: Campaign 2008: U.S. MN CD1

Is same-sex marriage vote losing urgency?

Posted at 3:15 PM on May 20, 2011 by Tim Nelson (1 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2008: U.S. MN CD1

Opponents of the measure are hoping the controversy over Bradlee Dean's appearance before the House of Representatives this morning could be pushing off the proposed constitutional amendment on same-sex marriage down the House agenda.

"I think we won a small victory," said Rep. John Kriesel, of Cottage Grove, just before the House adjourned about 2:30 and went into caucus, without taking up the measure as he'd expected. The House is scheduled to return at 7:45 tonight.

Rep. Steve Gottwald, of St. Cloud, says the amendment proposal he sponsored is teed up and can "be brought up at any time."

But in virtually the next sentence, he called the Dean controversy "very unfortunate" and badly timed.

"The marriage amendment has always been about having a discussion among the people of Minnesota decently, respectfully, about the definition of marriage between one man and one woman," Gottwalt said. "And any other agenda is inappropriate. Especially an agenda about hate. So what happened this morning was both unfortunate and disgusting to some extent. That person should not have been here."

He said he hoped Dean's presence wouldn't be linked to the same sex marriage amendment.

"I would hope that no one would try to link the two together, because we have been absolutely clear about the desire for decency and respect in the conversation about the definition of marriage. So for someone to link hate to this would be very unfortunate."

Gottwalt, though, couldn't say when or if he thought the amendment would come up for a vote.

But opponents believe it could get more difficult in coming days.

There are three full days left, and tomorrow will feature the People's Rally for a Fair Minnesota, which is expected to bring thousands of people to the Capitol -- and possibly tempting the biggest demonstration yet against the marriage amendment.

Legislators generally don't meet on Sundays, and the last Monday is often consumed by stop-and-start budget negotiations, rather than the marathon floor debate that the marriage amendment is likely to spark.

The House could put off action on the amendment and try again next year. Supporters would still have time to vote then to put the question on the 2012 ballot.

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Demmer to face Walz in November

Posted at 6:04 PM on April 17, 2010 by Mike Mulcahy
Filed under: Campaign 2008: U.S. MN CD1, Campaign 2010, Campaign 2010: U.S. House

From MPR's Mark Zdechlik in Mankato:

Republican party delegates in southern Minnesota's 1st Congressional District Saturday endorsed State Rep. Randy Demmer to run against two-tier DFL Rep. Tim Walz.

The endorsement came late Saturday afternoon in Mankato where 1st District Republicans held their convention at Minnesota State University.

Demmer's endorsement came after eight ballots. The endorsement ended up being a battle between Demmer and former state Rep. Allen Quist and ended with Quist's withdrawal.

Also vying for the endorsement of the roughly 250 delegates were Jim Hagedorn and Jim Engstrand.

Randy Demmer, who's in his forth legislative term, argues he's a perfect fit for the first district because of his background as a farmer, a small business owner and a school board member.

Demmer accused Walz of being in lock step with national Democratic leaders like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and said he's totally committed to defeating Walz.

"We know that Tim Walz is working with Nancy Pelosi, he's right there with her doing everything that she beckons him to do. That is not representation for the 1st District of Minnesota," Demmer said.

Demmer promised delegates he would run an "issues-based" campaign.

A political analyst in the 1st District says toppling Walz will not be easy, even if the tide in 2010 ends up favoring Republicans.

In 2008 Walz won with more than 60 percent of the vote. Walz has already raised more than $ 1 million for his 2010 campaign.

"After 6 months of negative campaigning, we are very interested in finally hearing state Rep. Demmer's ideas to solve the immense challenges we face," said Walz's campaign manager Richard Carlbom.

"We are going to continue running our campaign on Tim's record of effective service for southern Minnesota. Tim has delivered for our businesses on main street while holding Wall Street accountable, delivered for our veterans by working to ensure they receive the benefits they have earned, delivered for middle class families with the largest tax cut in history and delivered for students by making sure college is more affordable. Folks in southern Minnesota know Tim works for them."