Hitting the conservative themes of smaller government and lower taxes, accountability and results, and speaking strongly against the No Child Left Behind Act, current Minnesota Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-Eden Prairie) launched his campaign for the Minnesota Third Congressional District today.
Paulsen spoke before an energetic crowd of several hundred at Scenic Heights Elementary School in Minnetonka. Many families were there with their young kids, strollers, and baby carriers in tow. To accomodate them, popcorn, cookies, and even face painting were available.
Paulsen promised a vigorous campaign for Congress. They all do, but Paulsen served as a Washington legislative assistant and state director for Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-MN3), the current, twelve-term Third District Congressman, whose work ethic for retail campaigning is legendary. (Ramstad was reportedly on his way back to Washington, D.C. during Paulsen's event.)
Among the elected Republicans present were state Sen. David Hann (R-Eden Prairie) and Sen. Gen Olson (R-Minnetrista), as well as Jeff Johnson, candidate for Hennepin County Commissioner, and Alice Seagren, Minnesota Department of Education commissioner.
Although most of the buzz about the DFL challenge in the Third has centered on state Sen. Terri Bonoff (DFL-Minnetonka), one Republican activist I spoke with today had praise for the speaking skills of another Democrat primary candidate for the seat, political newcomer and Iraq war veteran Ashwin Madia of Plymouth. Minnesota Monitor conducted a live blog (online chat) with Madia in December.
2 comments:
It's a piddling little correction, but I'm pretty sure Mr. Ramstad has served nine terms in Congress, not twelve.
Missed you at Paulsen's announcement, but I'm sure we'll run into one another at some point soon.
Ramstad was elected to the U.S. House in 1990, making his current term his ninth. Prior to that, he served three terms in the Minnesota House, achieving the post of Assistant Minority Leader.
It just seems like all twelve of these terms were in Congress. I told Jeff Johnson that I was in college when the Rammer was first elected to Congress. Not even close! :-)
North Star Liberty regrets the error. Thanks for the correction.
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