Posted: 11/14/06
Issues swayed House election,
Tschumper feels; Davids disagrees
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
It didnít hit Ken Tschumper until he and his wife, Robin, were driving to a DFL caucus on November 9.
ìWhy are we going to the Cities?î he asked. ìBecause Iím the legislator.î
Tschumper, a dairy farmer who lives in rural La Crescent, defeated Republican Greg Davids of Preston for the Minnesota Houston District 31B seat in the November 7 election, 8,057 votes to 8,008.
In Houston County, Davids had 4,136 votes to Tschumperís 3,778.
The 49-vote margin of victory was the smallest of the 19 races in which Democrats defeated Republicans. There will be an automatic recount because the victory margin was fewer than 100 votes. The state canvass board will decide when to do that at a meeting on November 21.
How did the victory happen, given that Davids was the third-ranking member of the House, and an eight-term incumbent in a Republican-leaning district?
Tschumper feels people looked and compared, and voted accordingly. People knew where both candidates stood based on forums and questionnaires, he said.
The key was that he stayed on message of affordable health care, and improving public education and its funding, Tschumper said. ìI think it really resonated with people,î he said.
Was it a surprise? No, Tschumper answered. ìI always thought throughout the campaign that I had a good chance of winning.î
He also feels he had a good group of people helping in his campaign. ìPlus it was also a good year for Democrats,î he said.
Davids said that last point was the key to Tschumperís victory. An election wave hit statewide and nationally, Davids said. ìIt was just a Tsunami wave of the Democrats ... It wasnít issues, it wasnít about me, it wasnít about Mr. Tschumper.î
A similar landslide happened for Republicans in 1978, the first year he was elected, Davids said.
Tschumper acknowledged the Democratic siege. He sensed great frustration, anger, disappointment, and disagreement with a lot of Republican politics on the national and state level. ìI think it became increasingly difficult for Republicans to defend what they had done and what they were doing,î he said.
Tschumperís biggest disappointment is that Mike Hatch didnít win the gubernatorial election over Tim Pawlenty. Democrats are excited to move ahead on their agenda, Tschumper said, but he is not sure the governor is as willing to work with Democrats as they are with him.
Tschumper is also worried about the transportation referendum that passed. It will put $300 million from the general fund to transportation. But where will the state make that up? Tschumper asked. He would rather have seen a 10-cent a gallon gas tax increase.
One of the first things the legislature will do is establish a health care plan to cover every uninsured child in the state, Tschumper said. Increasing local government aid will be another priority for the first 100 days of the legislature, he added.
Tschumper said he will take a ìWellstone approachî to governing, and spend a lot of time meeting with people, listening, and taking advice and input. ìIím not just saying that. I really am going to do it. Thatís whatís going to shape what I do,î he said.
He also plans to lease his registered Brown Swiss cows to a young person to do milking chores at his 45-head dairy farm. Tschumper had the person milk for him in afternoons during the campaign so that he could go door knocking. ìBecause thatís when people are home,î he said. Tschumper said he never missed a morning milking during the campaign.
Door knocking was enjoyable, and a great way to meet people for Tschumper said. ìIt really goes into your consciousness, the thoughtfulness of the electorate,î he said.
He was impressed with what people would tell him at their doorstep. They were more candid than at a public meeting, Tschumper said. ìThat really helped us campaign more effectively. Thatís still the best way to be known by people.î
Davids thankful
Davids said he was thankful for the privilege to serve in the House for 16 years. ìIt wasnít a job, it was an adventure.î he said.
His plans now are to continue his career as an insurance agent. He said he has had calls from companies asking him to work for them. He currently has a small agency run out of his house in Preston.
Davids said he is most proud of supporting schools, and leading the effort with first state to go to E20 fuel. DFL Senator Dallas Sams of Staples, who also lost this year, worked with him on that, Davids said.
Working on value-added agricultural issues was important, Davids added. He was also proud of serving for six years as chairman of the commerce committee and two years as chairman of the agriculture committee.
He noted that he was speaker pro tem, and ran the House when the speaker was absent.
Ag. bills, helping townships, there is quite a list, Davids said, adding that he got a lot of bills passed.
He feels he ran a strong campaign in a close election. ìYou have to realize that the seat belongs to the people and not the person serving,î Davids said. ìI respect that.î
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