Madore applauds President's proposed business tax credits

"...our district is already in a position to create those opportunities without a tax increase...”

former State Representative Shelley Madore

Sept. 8, 2010 (Apple Valley, MN)– Minnesota Second Congressional District Candidate Shelley Madore applauds President Obama’s plan, announced today, to provide for transportation infrastructure improvements, continued business research and development tax credits, and the extension of tax credits for middle-income earners. Madore, a former state representative, has been touting ways to create jobs, increase business development and strengthen the local economy.

“My campaign’s 35 Cent Tour calls attention to the total lack of investment in our community since Republican incumbent John Kline became the hoarder of our hard-earned federal tax dollars,” Madore said.

What does that mean for the taxpayer in the Second Congressional District?

“For every Federal tax dollar paid in our district, only 35 cents is spent here in our community,” Madore said. “Other Minnesota districts receive an average of 77 cents. At the same time, John Kline voted for the bill that included the 'Bridge to Nowhere' in Alaska, and many other bills that included earmarks for other states.”

“As the rest of the country struggles to find ways to finance job creation, our district is already in a position to create those opportunities without a tax increase,” Madore continued. “If we had a Representative who would ask for our money back, we could bring back to this district millions of dollars and thousands of jobs. Mr. Kline has a grip that won't loosen, despite the loss of more than 10,000 manufacturing jobs in our district. While we were losing those local jobs, John Kline was bailing out Wall Street banks and leaving Main Street behind. I support small business growth. John Kline’s continued lack of support for small businesses is evident, most recently in his vote against the Small Business Lending Fund Act. I look forward to working with local leaders to address our long term economic strategy and put hard-working Minnesotans back to work.”

For more information about Shelley Madore and the 35 Cent Tour, please visit madoreforcongress.com

 ###

Myths & Ideology Undermine Business

Who figured voters would have a pro-business DFLer on the ballot in the Second District?  Incumbent John Kline's got to be worried, because as I pointed out back in early July, former State Rep. Shelley Madore is just that.

Shelley's winning message for the primary was wrapped up in her "35 Cent Tour" highlighting that the imbalance of federal tax dollars is undermining job creation and business investment, the facts tell the tale. While the state averages 77 cents back for every dollar we spend in federal taxes, the Second is only getting back 35 cents - which moves the burden for key projects in the community onto other revenue sources, such as property taxes.

Among the myths about John Kline is that Republican ideology has just got to be good for the business climate here by favoring lower taxes and fighting pork.  Here's the thing:

In "How does Minnesota stack up in business taxation? Pretty well, it turns out" by Sharon Schmickle yesterday at minnpost the facts and figures indicate our effective tax rates for businesses are somewhat less than Wisconsin, Iowa, or South Dakota, and substantially less - approaching HALF - the effective rate in North Dakota.

Factor in that North Dakota's unemployment rate is the lowest in the country right now.

I'm not about to tell you that there's no waste in government spending. There's waste in virtually every business, too, and controlling it is essential to efficiency and - ultimately - success.

But if lowering taxes and keeping federal dollars out of the state or the District is the secret to creating jobs, why have 10,900 manufacturing jobs moved from the Second District to China?  That's the worst record for any Congressional District in the state.  Our population is growing, but we're shedding jobs on John Kline's watch, and he's not doing anything but throwing political double-talk at the problem.

And if sounding reasonable meant a Representative was good for the District, Kline would be just fine: his rhetoric is polished, and persuasive. But the fact is he's quietly voting for his ideological theory, not the people of the Second District.

MPR: Bachmann, Kline, and Powers spurn Farmfest invitations

OK, to be fair, according to the MPR story Ms. Bachmann's staff said her absence was due to a sudden undisclosed illness, but after watching Tarryl Clark's reception she may regret the decision to give her District 6 opponent the chance to address Farmfest unchallenged.

One DFLer, Powers, joined Bachmann and Kline in skipping Farmfest 2010

Kline (R) and Powers (D), though, evidently have no interest in this traditional election year opportunity to get their message out to the most politically interested rural and farm voters in advance of the August 10th Primary, so the only voice for the 2nd District was former State Rep Shelley Madore, who has recently been criss-crossing the sprawling 2nd on her 35 Cent Tour as her campaign gains momentum while Powers struggles instead to counter negative stories in the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press.

Voters not certain where to cast their ballots on August 10th can visit the Secretary of State's website to find polling locations based on zip codes in advance of the Primary. Traditionally low turnout in "off" years may be countered this year by the prominent contest among three DFLers, Former U.S. Senator Mark Dayton, and former MN Legislators Margaret Anderson-Kelliher and Matt Entenza, all seeking the party's gubernatorial endorsement There has been extensive coverage of the MN Governor's race..

DFL voters looking to compare and contrast Madore and Powers, however, are left scratching their heads, as Powers has gotten limited media coverage and avoided invitations to debate since before the party's convention, including one from Alan Miller of Access to Democracy.

Bungled termination decision bolsters Madore's media profile

With just over a week until the Minnesota Primariy Elections, Sunday's Saint Paul Pioneer Press gave a black eye to the Minnesota Virtual High School by revealing they recently terminated Shelley Madore, a candidate for Congress, after she reported taxpayer fraud at the charter school. Madore's campaign provided little comment about her charges or the school's reactions, noting the investivation was on-going.

Former MN Representative
Shelley Madore

"When I shared it, I was terminated..."

former MN State Rep. Shelley Madore

Voters along the south Twin Cities Metro have a choice between the former legislator/watchdog and an unemployed former contractor who "fell into politics" (after falling from a roof) in the looming August 10th primary, after which the winner will challenge the incumbent Representative John Kline (R-MN) in the November 2010 election.

FEC filings by Madore's opponent Powers, including his late-filed Personal Finance Discolsure have omissions and/or inconsistencies that might well be a telling story in and of themselves, but what is there reveals he has ample personal assets to loan his campaign $35,000 dollars, giving him the edge in money raised and cash on hand - though both campaigns are struggling to attract donations with so much press attention on other Minnesota races. Twin Cities media in particular has focused on both Tarryl Clark's high-profile, possibly quixotic bid to unseat Tea Party diva Michelle Bachmann and the hotly-contested 3-way gubernatorial primary contest, devoting scant coverage to the Congressional primary on the other site of the metro.

The Pioneer Press story characterizes both 2^nd District Democratic campaigns as limping into the primary. The Star Tribue ran a brief article in late July describing Madore's opponent as having a "sketchy résumé" in their first coverage of the primary in months.

"His only income in 2009 was $28,000 in unemployment insurance, according to a financial disclosure report filed in Washington."

from: DFL candidate has sketchy résumé as contractor

24 July 2010

Madore's campaign has made little reference to her opponent's extended unemployment or his campaign's reliance on his life story to influence voters rather than policy statements, preferring to highlight concrete differences such as Powers failure to hire union workers back when he ran his small business versus her solid voting record as an effective state legislator and endorsements from local and national organizations.

Teacher's unions seem particularly delighted to have a candidate with experience in both the legislature and public education on the ballot: Madore counts endorsements from the National Education Association (NEA), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and Education Minnesota among her growing list.

This story is cross-posted from Zennie's Zeitgest.

DFL's Dan Powers Dodges Debates

While interviewing former state Representative Shelley Madore, Alan Miller of Access to Democracy offered to moderate a debate between Madore and her opponent Dan Powers - the two DFL candidates in the upcoming primary. I'll publish excerpts from the show in the next few days. 

Powers had dodged debate prior to the convention so it comes as little suprise that his campaign manager, Mary Breitenstein, has opted to decline on his behalf.  Her statement concluded:

"Dan will be focusing his time on beating John Kline and bringing the people of CD 2  the sort of representation they deserve."

~Mary Breitenstein

Whoever wins the DFL primary will surely want to debate Kline, relying on that most traditional tool of challengers to draw contrasts between themselves and a well-known incumbent.  Logically it might seem an excellent opportunity to practice a skill he's never needed before, and create a little more buzz for the party, much the way the Obama-Clinton contest helped keep Democrats in the news after it had become a foregone conclusion who would garner the 2008 GOP presidential nomination.

So much for "practice makes perfect."

Evidently Powers fears debating a fellow DFLer could outweigh the media exposure he'd get going into the primary. The only conclusion voters and pundits can draw is he worries that revealing how he handles himself in front of the media would convey significant advantage to Shelley Madore.

In this case, I agree with his fear despite her much greater name recognition; having spent time with both candidates I'm hard-pressed to see how he could possibly outshine Madore.  I've donated time and money to both campaigns, and I know it's much safer for Powers to rely on talking points and spend money on slick ads than it would be to engage in a debate. 

A debate would obviously reveal how relatively difficult it is for a rookie to talk issues, policy, and procedure on the same stage with a former legislator.

Still, I'd like the chance to see Powers fielding questions in an unscripted appearance, and see if he can think on his feet. As a voter in the District and the former chair of the Rice County DFL unit I can't help but wonder if he's scared Shelley Madore might reveal something about him that Congressman Kline wouldn't. I find that unlikely, because she's been taking the high road so far, and if there's one thing we've learned about Kline's campaign style it's that he will research his opponents thoroughly, and attack relentlessly.

© All photographs copyright Thomas Hayes, 2010

Joe Barton as the "Chair Apparent" on Energy and Commerce

Veteran Texas Congressman Joe "BP" Barton is the ranking GOP member (and former chair) of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.  That means if the Republicans gain a simple majority of seats in the House, he's the heir-apparent for the chairmanship, and you can bet your BP that big oil is hoping for just that outcome.

Of course, here in the 2^nd District we have one of those below-the-radar Reps, John Kline.  As challenger Shelley Madore has been saying since she announced her campaign for U.S. Congress here in January of this year, Kline is no less extreme then Michelle Bachmann if you look at his votes. Kline is just Michelle in sheep's clothing.

And I choose sheep's clothing with all seriousness, because our current Congressman has done almost nothing but follow the GOP herd during his entire time in office.  He's so predictable that even political rookie Dan Powers has begun echoing Shelley Madore's observations about how similar Kline is to Bachmann as he tries to build credibility against the former state legislator with a long record of accomplishments.

We all know that the "off years" are when the party that doesn't hold the presidency traditionally gains traction. People realize the President can't actually get done everything they hoped he could, and so they decide to make it harder for him.

What? You were expecting logic from the voters?

Here's a simple truth: Most folks vote for a gut reason, not a head reason.  They can cite reasons that sound logical, but the truth is they mostly vote for politicians they like, or they think they'd like to have a beer with.

Here's another simple truth: The GOP is about to spend a lot of money in key races, and the more headway they make the more gridlocked Washington becomes.  No small part of that will be big oil money. The GOP has decided to prove that government is ineffective, as part of their "small government" platform that sounds so good until you realize that only our elected leaders -- our government -- is sufficient to stand up to BP and hold them accountable.  The Free Market sure the heck can't do it.

So do you want the party of Joe "BP" Barton and Michelle Bachmann, with their faithful followers like John Kline to be put back in charge?  Opinions vary, but I'd rather see folks running the government who not only know how to get things done, but who believe there's more to being in Congress than saying the government should apologize and get out of BP's business.

That's why I like Shelley Madore's track record, and leadership. Proven, effective leadership is why I'll vote for Madore in the DFL primary on August 10th, and again this November in the General Election.

Madore for Congress Announces Additional Campaign Endorsements

For Immediate Release

Apple Valley, MN -- Today the Madore campaign announced three more endorsements of Shelley Madore’s campaign for Congress in the Second Congressional District, including State Senator Patricia Torres-Ray, State Representative David Bly, and State Representative Frank Hornstein.

“I am grateful for the continued outpouring of support as we look forward to the election in November. I would be honored to continue working with these community leaders, as a U.S. Congresswoman, to move Minnesota forward,” Madore said.

Madore’s work on transportation issues earned her the endorsement of Rep. Frank Hornstein.  "Shelley worked alongside the business community, federal, state, and city officials to bring transit options to the south metro area.  She understands that small businesses need these improvements to be able to attract and retain new workers."

Sen. Patricia Torres-Ray said, “As a State Representative, Shelley Madore had the courage to stand up and demand that we treat all Minnesotans with equal respect and protection of the law.  We need Shelley to bring this kind of personal courage to Washington.”

Rep. David Bly, who also endorsed Madore, said, “I have had the chance to work closely with Shelley Madore in the legislature and saw firsthand her strong leadership. We worked tirelessly together to advocate for affordable health care for all Minnesotans, because nobody should have to choose between paying the mortgage or paying their medical bills.”

For more information please visit www.madoreforcongress.com or call 952-232-0649.

DFLers Turn Out to Participate in Caucuses

John Marty Wins Gubernatorial Preference Ballot within Rice County

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Rice County’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) announced Tuesday evening that State Senator John Marty won its Gubernatorial Preference poll.

There were eleven candidates and an uncommitted option for those who attended caucus to choose from. Senator Marty came out on top with 29.9% of the eligible votes; finishing second was Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak with 21.2% of the votes; and in third was Margaret Anderson Kelliher with 10.8% of the votes.

“This year we have many impressive gubernatorial candidates that are in touch with issues and concerns of the voters.  Many of the candidates have made numerous stops in our county during the last year.  We are excited that Rice County continues its tradition of being able to attract candidates and it shows the important role we play within the party.”

~ Dr. Therese Barnett
Rice County DFL Chair

Other important activities took place at tonight’s caucuses with elections of delegates for the county and Senate District conventions, precinct chairs and the passing of numerous resolutions for the party’s platform process.
                      
“It was great to see the enthusiasm from our caucus attendees. We’re all excited to be involved and are looking forward to building a strong community of Progressives,” said Shawn Groth, Rice County DFL Associate Chair.

The next step for those elected as delegates will be to attend the Rice County DFL convention, which will be held at the Faribault Middle School on Saturday, March 6 at 8:30 am. Business at the convention will include electing state delegates and party officers.

Gubernatorial Preference Ballot Results:
Marty	29.9%
Rybak	21.2%
Anderson Kelliher	10.8%
Uncommitted	10.4%
Entenza	8.3%
Thissen	7.2%
Rukavina	3.2%
Bakk	2.9%
Kelley	2.2%
Gaertner	1.1%
Montez	0.4%
Savior	0.4%
2% of the eligible voters chose not to vote.

For state-wide DFL, GOP, and other results, the Secretary of State has the most up to date information. (As of this time not all precincts have reported in, but it looks like Marty Seifert and Tom Emmer are the only viable GOP candidates, while the DFL side is a bit less clear, particularly since Senator Mark Dayton kept his name off the ballots, announcing his intent to stay in the race through the primary.)

Precinct Caucus information: DFL

*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***
Lonsdale, Minnesota, January 25, 2010:

Rice County DFL Party to Hold Precinct Caucuses on February 2 at Northfield and Faribault Middle Schools

District Democrats to Gather to Cast Gubernatorial – Preference Ballot, Select Convention Delegates, Debate Party Platform, Elect Precinct Chairs

Democrats from around Rice County (within Senate District 25 & 26) will gather on Tuesday, February 2 for the DFL Party’s biennial precinct caucuses. The Rice County DFL caucuses will be held at the Northfield & Faribault Middle Schools.

At the precinct caucuses, DFLers will cast a gubernatorial preference ballot that will demonstrate their preference in the upcoming election. Attendees will have the opportunity to run and vote for delegates supporting specific candidates or issues to represent the precinct at the upcoming Rice County DFL convention on Saturday, March 6. There will also be an opportunity to introduce and debate resolutions for possible inclusion in the Minnesota DFL Party’s action agenda/platform, and elect precinct chairs for the next two years.

The caucuses will begin at 7:00 p.m. Gubernatorial-preference balloting will conclude at 8:00 p.m. sharp. Ballots may only be cast in person; no absentee balloting is allowed.

Anyone who will be eligible to vote in Minnesota by November 2, 2010 may vote in the gubernatorial-preference ballot. Anyone age 16 or over may participate in caucus business.

A list of all caucus locations statewide is available at www.dfl.org.

WHAT:           Rice County DFL Precinct Caucuses

WHEN:           Tuesday, February 2, 2010, 7:00 p.m. (registration begins at 6:30 p.m.)

WHERE:

For precincts in Rice County within Senate District 25:

---

TOWNSHIPS:  Wheatland, Webster, Erin, Forest, Shieldsville, Bridgewater, Northfield, and Wheeling
CITIES:  Lonsdale, Dundas, Dennison (part), Nerstrand, Northfield (8 precincts)

Northfield Middle School

2200 Division Street South, Northfield, MN 55057

For precincts in Rice County within Senate District 26:

---

TOWNSHIPS:  Cannon City, Wells, Morristown, Warsaw, Walcott, and Richland
CITIES:  Morristown, and Faribault (6 precincts)

Faribault Middle School

704 – 17th Street SW, Faribault, MN  55021

Therese Barnett, Chair        Shawn Groth, Assoc. Chair
14744 Lake Mazaska Trail      P.O. Box 101
Faribault, MN  55021              Lonsdale, MN 55046
Therese1b@yahoo.com           Ssng12@hotmail.com
(612) 232-6864 (cell)              (651) 324-9676 (cell)
(507) 332-8287 (home)

Note: GOP/Republican and Independent party caucuses are the same night.

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

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.