Seifert in the ring
FRIDLEY (AP) - State Rep. Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, who steered House Republicans through three tumultuous legislative sessions, began his bid Tuesday to trade up to the Minnesota governor's office.
He set off on a four-day, 14-city tour of the state at a high-tech factory in this Twin Cities suburb. He said he wanted to drive home his planned emphasis on jobs.
''It's not just what you say. It's not just how you say it. But it's also where you say it: We need job opportunities in this great state. We need economic opportunities in this great state,'' Seifert said. ''It will be my top priority.''
Seifert said about 60 to 70 people turned out for the official start of his campaign for governor of Minnesota in Fridley.
"That's a good crowd on a work day on a day after the July 4 weekend," Seifert said.
Seifert will end his campaign tour Friday. Friday's stops include a morning stop in Marshall, and the tour will end in the afternoon in New Ulm.
Seifert had said he planned to end the tour with a stop in Marshall but a family event prevented that from happening Friday. At 37, Seifert is aiming to become the youngest Minnesota governor in 70 years and the first from outside the Twin Cities metropolitan area elected since 1986. He lives in Marshall, a city closer to the South Dakota border than it is to St. Paul.
The 2010 race is a clear tossup, made so by GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty's decision to bow out after two terms.
Standing with his family in the factory's parts warehouse, Seifert offered a sneak peak at his agenda. He said he would try to fuel job growth by easing permitting and licensing. He said he would attempt to hold down property taxes by requiring local governments to hold a referendum to increase spending above a certain level. He said he would change education by boosting the amount of time children are in the classroom.
Seifert ticked off the jobs he's held since his boyhood days on a southwestern Minnesota farm: picking vegetables, serving ice cream, delivering pizzas, teaching and legislating during seven statehouse terms. He relinquished his minority leader title last month in anticipation of the campaign.
''The values I grew up with have everything to do with my run for governor,'' Seifert said. ''Frugality, humility, service to people and, most of all, common sense. It is missing from our government today. I intend to make sure that from top-to-bottom our government reflects those values and does not wish them away.''
But getting this job won't be easy. He first must gain the party's endorsement next June because he pledged to leave the race without it. There's the possibility of a GOP primary a few months later. And the general election could be a three-way battle - against candidates from the Democratic and Independence parties - if the past three contests are any clue.
In the last week, the Republican field has shifted.
State Sens. David Hann of Eden Prairie and Mike Jungbauer of East Bethel set campaigns for governor in motion. Rep. Tom Emmer, who for a time was Seifert's deputy, also threw his hat in the ring. Emmer, of Delano, is likely to appeal to the conservative wing of the party.
And former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman didn't rule out making another try at the governor's office as he conceded defeat to Democrat Al Franken in the Senate race. Coleman was the GOP nominee for governor in 1998, losing to ex-wrestler Jesse Ventura.
Seifert said he told the media at his news conference Tuesday he would abide by the Republican endorsement.
Also, while there has been speculation that Coleman would enter the Republican race for governor, Seifert said he wouldn't speculate on that.
When asked by the Independent if he'd change his plans if Coleman entered the governor's race, Seifert said he planned to move forward "full steam ahead," without speculating.
He would let the people decide, Seifert said.
Former Rep. Bill Haas of Champlin and Rep. Paul Kohls of Victoria also entered the race last month, and other GOP politicians are considering campaigns.
Democrats have been maneuvering since last year, hoping to take back an office they haven't held in two decades.
Announced Democratic candidates are: former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton, state Sen. Tom Bakk of Cook, state Sen. John Marty of Roseville, state Rep. Paul Thissen of Minneapolis, former state Rep. Matt Entenza of St. Paul, Ramsey County attorney Susan Gaertner, former state Sen. Steve Kelley and painter Ole Savior.
The next governor will undoubtedly face another mammoth budget deficit, with projections ranging from $4 billion to $7 billion.
Seifert said he's undaunted by the challenge.
''I view the deficit as an opportunity,'' he said. ''I don't view the deficit as something that is going to be punitive.''
Rae Kruger contributed
to this story
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EdmundFitzgerald
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07-09-09 10:38 PM
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The article I referred to is no longer available online. However, if you use the Independent’s search feature, you’ll see that the paper has six available articles that contain the word “crap”. All I said about the Independent in my post is that they educated me.
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ruralroute
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07-09-09 9:34 AM
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EdmundFitzgerald, glad you remember every little detail about the Independent and all of its writings from years ago...wow. Since you seem to remember every error everybody else makes (Based on your posts), was this a quote of a particular person in an article or paraphrased? You don't think major papers list quotes with some of the dirty words all the time? Apparently you haven't read the Star Tribune or NY Times. Just curious -- what is your problem with the Independent anyway?
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EdmundFitzgerald
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07-08-09 11:10 PM
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“CRAP” isn’t one of the seven dirty words. I learned that from the Independent about three years ago, interestingly enough, when one of their sportswriters wrote a story that said an SMSU wrestler had “beat the crap out of [some of his opponents]”. So, feel free to use “CRAP” all you want in their forums. Double CRAP, triple CRAP. CRAP, CRAP, CRAP!!!
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ruralroute
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07-08-09 10:39 PM
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Mnsotan, if you think pile of crap is vulgar and crude...wow. Secondly, Pawlenty is not perfect, but where do you get that he doesn't work hard or have integrity? There have been no ethics complaints, criminal investigations or anything of the sort. Now, are their major policy differences between him and others? Yes. But to question a guy's work ethic without proof seems to be crude and vulgar. I am not sure what you base this on other than your own opinion. Marty has no chance anyway if Jim Ramstad or Norm Coleman enter the republican race. Now if you are defending Pat Mellenthin, another career politician want-to-be...what is that based on...
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merioncooper
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07-08-09 9:05 PM
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Just curious: Usually when a candidate announces for a major office there is at least some announcement or event at the candidate's home or a place of personal significance. Seifert chose to make all his stops in the Twin Cities -- nothing in Marshall, Redwood Falls, etc.. Why? I hope he is not ashamed of the district that elected him or its people. It would have been a nice publicity splash if the launching of his campaign had a Marshall tag to it, instead of Fridley. Don't you think one of Marshall's fine businesses could have benefited from the announcement instead of a high-tech factory in Fridley? But I guess if you're politically ambitious as Seifert has always been, you do what is expedient for yourself.
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Mnsotan
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07-08-09 6:01 PM
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Rural: Apparently you are so used to saying crude and or vulgar things that you fail to recognize what you wrote to be both crude and vulgar. Clearly you have not paid attention to this so called Governor. Being nice is part of the puzzle, but only a part. That does not excuse his lack of integrity or a work ethic that is no where near as stron as Marty's. Again, this is coming from someone from a different political party that will most likely vote for someone else. If Marty wins, I can respect him as Governor and know he will work as hard if not harder than any other Governor Minnesota has ever had. Noone will ever honestly say that about Pawlenty!
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ruralroute
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07-08-09 5:12 PM
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Where is the vulgarity, Mnstoan? I didn't use any. Secondly, whether you agree with Gov. Pawlenty or not, where do you see that he has been dishonest? His administration has been mostly free of scandals, ethics complaints, etc. Now, I don't agree with the way he's balanced the budget on the backs of the poor or rural parts, or backed his way into a corner with his no-tax pledge. But those are policy differences. To say that he has no integrity or character is just false. Even Democrats who strongly disagree with him have said he is cordial and civilized. Marshall54, I am not suggesting another Ventura, who let his ego rule the state. I am suggesting somebody who isn't bullied by the political parties but has an independent voice with the ability to represent people, not parties, special interest groups or PACs. It takes courage to elect somebody with those qualities, and it's about high time our state does so...otherwise we end up with more of the same gridlock and nonsense.
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Mnsotan
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07-08-09 2:34 PM
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First, I am glad Marty is running for Governor. There are very few positions that he and/or his caucus take that I support. However, were he to be elected, Minnesota would have a Governor with a strong work ethic, honesty, integrity and character--traits the current Governor lacks. To ruralroute, you have a point to make, so why pray tell use vulgarity? I am suprised the comment is not edited or removed.
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marshall54
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07-08-09 1:41 PM
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ruralroute are you suggesting another Jesse Ventura?
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ruralroute
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07-08-09 10:59 AM
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Also, speaking of re-treads: I am guessing Pat Mellenthin will announce her 15th run for the State House in the next week.
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ruralroute
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07-08-09 10:58 AM
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This tells you how screwed up our political system is: How many career politicians and re-treads do we have in this race? Marty Seifert, Mark Dayton (who was a lousy US senator), Matt Entenza, Sen. John Marty, Steve Kelley? Maybe Coleman? Can't we do better than this pile of crap? They all have one thing in common: none of them will be a good governor. They will be dictated to by their political parties, special interest groups and PACs, not the MN people. I'd love to see a true independent, who isn't afraid to make bold and courageous decisions that are in the best interest of our state, step into the ring and shake things up.
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merioncooper
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07-08-09 10:35 AM
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If Coleman and Ramstad get in, save your money and time and bow out early Seifert.
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