Governor’s campaign comes to Minneota

The Minnesota Gubernatorial Campaign made a pit stop in Minneota during Boxelder Bug Days.
Republican Candidates Jeff Johnson for governor and Doug Wardlow for Attorney General  were brought by Rep. Chris Swedzinski to the Boxelder Bug Days Queen Pageant for a brief speech.
“It was sweet,” Johnson told The Minneota Mascot about the recently Republican convention in which he was endorsed as the party’s candidate — beating the favored candidate Tim Pawlenty.
“What was sweeter was that the party came together,” said Johnson.
Earlier that day, Johnson and Wardlow visited the county fair in Madison, the Cattlemen’s Association meeting and Brau Fest in Marshall.
Johnson also ran during the last election, but he noted a big difference this time.
Last time he was running against incumbent Governor  Mark Dayton — who won the election and was returned as governor.
“This time it’s an open seat — unopposed, as compared to an incumbent.”
His opponent will be Democrat Tim Walz, who was endorsed by the Democrat party in an attempt to keep the Democrats in the governor’s chair.
Walz is well known in this area as the son-in-law of the Val Whipples of Ivanhoe.
Johnson feels, “The electorate changed dramatically from 2014 and is hungry for a change in direction.”
The candidate added, “I did not see that last time.”
There’s another big change this time around, according to Johnson.
Four years ago the agriculture community was in better shape. “The state is hurting now. Farmers are hurting,” he said. “And I’m interested in helping them succeed,” he added.
Farm prices are low and expenses keep rising, creating a difficult time in the agricultural community.
Last time around, Johnson claims he came from nearly nowhere as a county commissioner and it was harder for folks to believe he could help with things such as a farm crisis.
But this time around he totally understands the issues and sees the need for a governor to help farmers make strides forward — instead of backwards.
He also believes this time around the gubernatorial campaign won’t be a matter of “mud slinging.”
He said, “We have different policies and agendas and that’s what the campaign will be about.”
He also believes the new governor can make a difference in the state’s educational funding formula.
“It’s a formula geared for the larger, Twin Cities school districts,” Johnson said.
He feels the need to bring a fair balance to rural school districts in terms of the funding formula.

WARDLOW admits the position of Attorney General is NOT one of high visibility — until now.
What makes his campaign vital, he said, “Is the fact the Democrats chose Keith Ellison to run for the position.”
Ellison, a professed Muslim, has been facing a test of his character since he was nominated.
“We’re bringing to light certain things about Keith Ellison that are troubling, that the voters of Minnesota need to know about,” Wardlow said.
“That’s all we’re doing, just dealing in facts and being very straightforward,” he said.
Wardlow has been criticizing Ellison for having a lapsed law license.
He contends Ellison holds dangerous views on immigration. He also believes Ellison would use the office to “wage political war” against the Trump administration.
And Wardlow said the DFL’s post-primary endorsement of Ellison was disturbing, given the allegations of domestic abuse made by Ellison’s former girlfriend.
“All I know is that the allegations are very troubling, very serious,” said Wardlow.
“And I think it makes it difficult for him to make the case that he should be the state’s top law enforcement office. I’m focusing on my message, which is why I’m going to take the politics out of the office, I’m going to stand up for the rule of law, enforce the laws and do the work of the office of the attorney general for the people of Minnesota.”
Ellison has repeatedly denied the allegations. On the matter of his law license, Ellison called it a “non-issue.”
He voluntarily put his license on inactive status when he began serving in Congress.
He said he’s on track to have it fully active again by the end of the year, Ellison said in a recent interview.