Caledonia Argus

Kierlin will seek GOP endorsement

Posted: 4/30/02

by Jane Palen
Managing editor

Senator Bob Kierlin (R-Winona) has announced that he will seek the Republican endorsement for the State Senate in the new District 31 which includes all or parts of Houston, Winona, and Fillmore counties.

Recent redistricting of legislative boundaries resulted in Kierlin being in the same district as Kenric Scheevel (R-Preston). However, Scheevel is now a candidate for Lieutenant Governor, sharing the ticket with gubernatorial candidate Brian Sullivan, a businessman from Orono. House minority leader Tim Pawlenty is also seeking the Republican endorsement for governor. The GOP convention is June 13-15.

Senator Kierlin has served as District 32 State Senator for the past three years. He lives in Winona and owns the Fastenal Company.

Entering the race as a DFL candidate is Sharon Ropes, Winona. She is a business owner and school board member. Ropes pointed to education issues as the main reason she is seeking the senate seat.

ìSchool districts in rural Minnesota are in crisis,î she said. ìMany small districts are cutting programs and services for kids, laying off teachers and driving class sizes higher because the state and federal government are not living up to their promises and constitutional obligations.î

Other special concerns incudes affordable housing, the environment ethics, and health care.

Rifenberg, Davids in same house district

Republicans Michelle Rifenberg of La Crescent and Greg Davids of Preston are two other Republican lawmakers who find themselves in the same district. In earlier statements, Davids and Rifenberg indicated that they would decide together which one would be on the ballot in November. The legislative session has gone on much longer than anticipated. Lawmakers had hoped to be home by Easter.

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