Shelley Madore seeks DFL endorsement

The news out of Massachusetts, where the GOP won another U.S. Senate seat in the special election to fill the balance of Ted Kennedy's term underscores that voters are neither satisfied to hope for change nor burned out on politics. The large turnout shows voters are actively following events inside the beltway, and there's no such thing as a "safe" seat, regardless of how a state has voted recently.

Shelley Madore strode into this tumultuous political climate on Martin Luther King Day to officially make the anticipated announcement that she's seeking the DFL endorsement to run for the seat currently held by John Kline, joining local contractor Dan Powers who announced his candidacy nearly two months ago.

"I'm ready to fight to bring jobs and economic security back to the hardworking people and families here in Minnesota..."

Madore, a long-time resident of Apple Valley with a degree in Business Administration, has served a term in the MN House as the representative from District 37A and sits on the Board of the Minnesota Council for Independent Living.

Following testimonials from supporters and elected officials within the district, including current state Representatives Sandra Masin (38A) and David Bly (25B), Ms. Madore took to the podium with her children beside her and focused on jobs, education, and the need for bi-partisan cooperation as her motivation to run:

"We need a strong leader who will work with other members of Congress to bring jobs back to our community.

We need a strong leader who will create opportunities for workers to gain the skills they need to compete in this new economy.

And we need a strong leader who realizes that education is an ongoing commitment because the world does not stop changing once we graduate.

I am that leader..."

The hunt for the DFL endorsement has begun in earnest, with caucuses less than a month away: February 2.

While the DFL state convention isn't until late April, frankly either Powers or Madore will ascend after the DFL's 2nd Congressional District Convention to campaign to replace Kline. The current Representative seems unlikely to have any challengers from within the GOP, but he's reportedly already begun robo-calling within the district.

The campaign website can be found at MadoreForCongress.com

Special election: One week to go

Special elections rarely get the sort of national media attention that the Massachusetts Senate contest has drawn, with discoveries about the GOP candidate implying the President may have been born out of wedlock and opposing education reform, but local special elections have a major impact on our immediate geographic area, which is what makes the contest between Jason Engbrecht, Mike Parry, and Roy Srp in Minnesota Senate District 26 so interesting despite being overshadowed.

Late Start
The three candidates met in a moderated Forum last week, and the result was revealing even though lingering questions about Parry's tweet-gaffes didn't make it to the fore.  Srp was late to arrive, but the crowd and the other two candidates were forgiving while the Waseca Mayor made his way to Faribault City Hall. The three addressed the well-attended forum for slightly over an hour.

If you overlook Roy Srp's tardy arrival, both he and Parry exhibited superior political performances, careful to hit the talking points they had prepared, even when those didn't necessarily directly address the question the moderator had posed.

Srp
Srp, for instance, relied on the theme that he's neither a Democrat nor a Republican, and that the current problems in the district and the state were attributable to Democrats and Republicans, so voters should give him the seat instead - although he avowed that both Parry and Engbrecht were actually independent thinkers, as well -- but likely to fall under the influence of their respective endorsing parties once faced with bills to vote upon in the course of doing legislative business at the State Capitol. On the other hand, Roger Srp came close to endorsing Engbrecht when addressing a question about educational policy, saying he'd likely consult with Jason.

Parry
Parry, citing both time in politics and extensive experience as a small business owner, sought to stand out from his opponents by his experience making hard decisions, such as firing employees. He avoided suggesting there were any questions he'd need to consult with others to evaluate, no matter how complex.

Parry gave direct answers to some questions, such as nuclear power (all three candidates are in favor, Srp and Engbrecht went to greater lengths to explain what informed their position,) and exhibited the deft verbal agility of a veteran politico on most potentially sticky issues (with the notable exception of reproductive choice, which both he and Roy Srp openly oppose.)

Engbrecht
Engbrecht appeared to give more substantive, spontaneous, and detailed replies in most cases, citing the impact of his work on energy, for instance, or his time on the Faribault school board as shaping his understanding. If the St. Olaf professor aspires to stay in politics long-term he may want to learn to polish his responses down to sound-bites, but one can't expect a college professor to pass up the chance to provide substantive information when asked about issues he's passionate about, such as health care, education, and the environment.

Engbrecht's campaign approach seems more focused on policy positions than on his personality, and the vigor his volunteers are showing with the doork-knocking, phone-banking, and distribution of literature may just pay off next Tuesday.

January 26, 2010: 
Election in MN Senate District 26

Without the benefit of polls, I'd say Engbrecht's likely the dark horse. But it's not easy to distinguish Parry and Srp in most ways other than Srp's mentioning he'd consult with Engbrecht - both are graying veterans of local Waseca politics - so the presence of an Independent candidate may just split Waseca-area votes that would ordinarily go to the Republicans, thereby allowing the DFL candidate's vigorous efforts to win the seat long held by Republican Dick Day, who deserted it mid-term to become a pro-gambling lobbyist.

Two now seeking DFL endorsement to run againt Kline in CD2

Former State legislator Shelley Madore will be kicking off her campaign for the DFL endorsement to run against John Kline in the 2010 Congressional race to represent Congressional District 2 on Monday, 18 January 2005. A press release on the announcement event went out Wednesday and several sites including MinnPost immediately released the news.

“Minnesota deserves leadership that puts us first,” said Madore. “We need a strong leader who will work with other members of Congress to bring projects back to our district. It’s important that you have someone who will show up and talk with you about your priorities and needs. And, when times are tough, it matters that you have someone who understands what it is like to live here and struggle to keep your family afloat.

I am that leader and when you elect me to serve you in Washington, I will fight to bring jobs and economic security back to families here in Minnesota."

That brings the count on the DFL side to two, since small-business owner Dan Powers has been officially in the race since late 2009. There appear to be neither challengers on the GOP side to Kline's incumbency, nor any independent candidates in the race thus far.

The campaign has announced the kick-off event on facebook as well as through the more traditional channels.

DFL voters will caucus around the state on Tuesday, February 2nd, and residents of the 2nd District are likely glad to have fewer choices for Congress than are presently seeking their endorsement for the Governor's race.