Posted: 8/16/05
Davids wonít run for Kierlinís senate seat
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
District 31B representative Greg Davids (R-Preston) wonít run for the senate District 31 seat in 2006.
That seat will be wide open because current senator Bob Kierlin (R-Winona) announced in July that he would not seek reelection.
Davids, who has served seven terms in the house, said that if he ran for the senate, it would leave District 31B with no seniority in the legislature. ìIn this business seniority means everything,î he said during a stop at The Caledonia Argus on August 7.
He said he would help whoever chose to run for the senate seat from the Republican party. No one from either party has officially announced his or her candidacy. That surprises Davids. ìThe first one in is the best dressed,î he said.
Davids described Kierlin as a strong leader. ìSenator Bob Kierlin was a wonderful senator to work with,î he said. Kierlinís style was to get the job done, Davids said. ìWhen Bob Kierlin speaks, people listen,î he said.
ëWonderfulí results in 2005
The 2005 legislature had ìwonderfulî results, Davids feels, despite the cumbersome process that shut down state government for several days.
He is most proud of being chief author of the agriculture legislation calling for 20 percent ethanol content by 2013. ìEthanol is a win-win for everyone,î he said. It adds value to agriculture because local farmers arenít shipping corn down the river. ìWeíre adding value to that corn right here,î he said.
Local farmers realize that, Davids added, citing the fact that the major investors in a new plant being built in Heron Lake are from Fillmore and Houston Counties.
All but one of the ethanol plants in Minnesota are farmer-owned cooperatives, he said.
Davids also is going to carry a bill next year that states if another budget impasse occurs at the legislature, the state could use last yearís budget to keep government running.
ìThe shutdown shouldnít have happened, but it did,î Davids said. ìI donít want it to ever happen again.î
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