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Elections

Monday, May 20, 2013

New Poll Has Jim Graves Beating Michele Bachmann

Bachmann's challenger paid for the PPP survey showing him leading by 2 points.

Jim Graves, the DFLer who is again challenging U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann in the 2014 election, issued the results of a Public Policy Polling (PPP) survey showing him with a 2 percentage-point lead over Bachmann, 47–45 if the election had been held May 15, 2013, the day of the survey. (Click on the PDF thumbnail to see the questions and results of the survey, which the Graves campaign commissioned.) Bachmann Ad Bachmann's re-election campaign aired its first television ad of the 2014 season in the Twin Cities starting last week, 17 months before Election Day. The campaign is spending about $85,000—"not a huge buy," The Hill reported, "especially considering her past fundraising prowess, but it's exceedingly rare to see House candidates go …

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Jim Graves to Run Again for Michele Bachmann's 6th District Seat in 2014

Challenger is 'feeling such an outpouring of support,' his campaign manager told the St. Cloud Times.

Update (Noon Thursday): U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) responded to news that her 2012 DFL challenger would run again in 2014 with a video titled Jim Graves is Back and a statement, MinnPost reported: Bachmann spokesman Dan Kotman called Graves "another liberal politician rubber stamping the Obama-Pelosi agenda of higher taxes and runaway government spending." Original post (10:15 a.m. Thursday): It's a rematch: Jim Graves will again challenge U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann in 2014, according to the St. Cloud Times: [Graves campaign manager Aaron] Wells said Graves’ desire to finish what he started in 2012 —when he lost to Bachmann, R-Stillwater, by about 4,300 votes in one of the nation’s closest U.S. House races — spurred his decision to …

Al Anderson

1:29 pm on Saturday, April 13, 2013

Jim Graves doesn't even live in the 6th District (he lives in uber liberal land (a.k.a. Linden HIlls of Minneapolis). Why would the 6th District want to consider someone who has made a conscious decision to not even be part of the people he wants to represent? (He is on the other hand, a much better choice than Keith Ellison -- and should run for the Democrat endorsement in the 5th district where…   more ›

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Albertville Woman Charged With Allegedly Voting While Ineligible

She was arrested Friday on felony charges of crimes against the government.

  A convicted felon who pleaded guilty in 2010 to writing a bad check had allegedly not waited until her civil rights had been restored before voting in the 2012 general elections. Lindsey Anne Heitman, 31, of Albertville, was arrested Friday and charged with allegedly voting while knowing she is ineligible, and registering as an ineligible voter, both "crimes against the government," according to a criminal complaint filed by Wright County Attorney's Office. Heitman was on a five-year probation after the felony bad check conviction, and would not be eligible to vote until 2015. On Nov. 6, election day, Heitman checked in with her probation officer, Department of Corrections Probation Officer Truda Boler, and reported that she voted at …

Linda

1:54 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013

cccc--can't you think of anything better to add--what is not to say she voted republican????   more ›

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Ex-Aide: Michele Bachmann's Iowa Campaign Staffers Still Waiting for Paychecks

The Minnesota congresswoman rose to the top and then sank to the bottom of the race of the GOP presidential nomination in Iowa.

An evangelical organizer credited with helping Minnesota's Sixth Congressional District Congresswoman Michele Bachmann win the 2011 Ames Straw Poll is now accusing her of not paying members of her Iowa ground team. Ex-aide Peter Waldron said he and several other staffers are still owed paychecks and suggested the former GOP presidential candidate's senior team might be withholding the money because the staffers cooperated in a legal investigation. “I’m disappointed,” Waldron told the Washington Post. “Working with her, I know her to be a person of good faith. However, I also know that she is surrounded by what the Bible says is men of lesser sorts.” Eric Woolson, Bachmann’s Iowa campaign communications chairman, said people were paid in …

JoJo

1:56 pm on Sunday, January 13, 2013

What a surprise. The Patch picks up where the Strib left off. I know it's impossible that Bachmann is being falsely vilified, falsely accused, falsely dragged through the mud. At least for those who hate her style, her faith, her moral stance, hate HER, that's the case. I and those in my district who voted for her and lit-dropped and volunteered for her are more willing to consider that there's …   more ›

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Mary Kiffmeyer Sworn in as State Senator Tuesday

Kiffmeyer represents senate district 30, which includes St. Michael and Albertville.

  The St. Michael area state senator, Mary Kiffmeyer of Big Lake, was sworn in Tuesday at the start of the legislative session. As Minnesota's 88th session begins, district 30 represents a new area because of redistricting. Kiffmeyer will represent St. Michael, Albertville, Hanover, Otsego, Elk River and Big Lake. "It is an honor and a privilege to serve the residents of District 30 as their Senator," said Kiffmeyer in a prepared statement. "I look forward to working for the constituents of my district and with my fellow colleagues as we seek common sense goals of an improved business climate, a balanced budget and a more efficient and effective government." Kiffmeyer will serve on the following committees: health and human services;…

JoJo

4:08 pm on Friday, January 11, 2013

What a nice, informative news blurb. Thank you!   more ›

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

FitzSimmons Sworn in as State Representative for St. Michael Area

The representative for House District 30B covers the cities of St. Michael, Albertville, Otsego, Hanover, and a portion of Dayton.

  Representative David FitzSimmons (R-Albertville) was sworn in at the Capitol Tuesday to begin his work for St. Michael, Albertville, Otsego, Hanover and a portion of Dayton. "I am humbled by the confidence the voters of my district have expressed in me, and I am ready to represent their best interests," said FitzSimmons in a statement released Tuesday night. Representing House District 30B, FitzSimmons will serve on the higher education, transportation policy, agriculture policy, and capital investment committees. FitzSimmons’ priorities include "pushing for highway expansion on key corridors such as I-94 between Rogers and St. Michael, more equitable school funding so that schools in Wright County are not short changed, and a tax and …

JoJo

12:57 am on Sunday, January 13, 2013

Good points, Rick. Let's hope there are improvements this year. Not terribly hopeful with all the same people on the school board, but perhaps Fitz, McDonald and Kiff will bring some fresh perspective and new ideas. I know the school board members are being positive about these three because of the MONEY they think the three will bring them from the state. Not fond of people faking to like others…   more ›

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

St. Michael Mayor, 2 Council Members to be Sworn In for New Terms Tonight

Mayor Jerry Zachman and council members Chris Schumm and Joe Marx will take an oath.

  St. Michael's mayor and two council members will take their oath for their new terms tonight at St. Michael City Hall. The St. Michael City Council meeting is set for 7 p.m. at St. Michael City Hall. Mayor Jerry Zachman, who ran unopposed in the 2012 general elections, will be sworn in to office once again. Council members Chris Schumm and Joe Marx, who were appointed to their current seats, were elected for new terms. They will also be sworn in.

New Albertville Mayor Appoints Rob Olson to City Council Monday After Split Vote

The council had a split vote between Olson and Mark Barthel. New mayor Jillian Hendrickson, who was just sworn in, then appointed Olson.

In an Albertville City Council meeting full of change Monday, new mayor Jillian Hendrickson was sworn in to office Monday shortly before she appointed Rob Olson to city council after a split vote left the seat undecided. With Hendrickson leaving her council seat for mayor, there was an open seat on the council to be filled by appointment. Olson served as the chairman of the city's planning and zoning commission and received two votes from the council. The other two votes were for Mark Barthel. "The council will vote based on the letters of interest and if there is a tie vote, the mayor will appoint," city attorney Mike Couri explained. The city received two letters of interest for the remaining council seat from Olson and Barthel. Both men…

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Scotty O

11:04 am on Thursday, January 10, 2013

So with it being a split vote that backs my point even more, very simple to look who had the most votes. So your saying because he has a common last name he should not be considered. Maybe it was because he is local and a larger population knows who he is and felt he should get the position. There is a reason we have a right to vote, and if one person is not going to take that in consideration …   more ›

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Wright County Commissioner, Albertville Resident Mike Potter Sworn In

It's the first time an Albertville resident is elected county commissioner.

Wright County Commissioner-Elect Mike Potter was sworn in to begin his 2013 term at Monday night's Albertville City Council meeting. County commissioners are sworn in in their respective city. This was the first time an Albertville resident was elected county commissioner. Potter begins his term in January and will serve a four-year term. He has served in various other political roles over the years including Albertville mayor.

THE REST OF THE STORY

10:53 am on Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Congratulations Mr Potter! I am excited to see you represent us in Wright County!   more ›

Thursday, November 29, 2012

OPINION: Process Failed in Decision on Challenged Ballot

Albertville City Council member Larry Sorensen — who was re-elected through a coin toss this month — says that voter intent laws were not followed by some.

  It doesn’t happen too often where a candidate running for office is told that they lost by one vote, then won by one vote, then tied, and finally won by a coin flip. That is what happened to me this year, in my run for re-election to Albertville City Council. First of all, I want to thank fellow candidate Mark Barthel, the election officials, and our city staff for making certain that the recount process went smooth and was fair. As much as a person can enjoy sitting in a room for six hours and watching election judges go through all of the 3,700 plus ballots, I felt it was an interesting and educational process to be involved in. After the recount was finished, each candidate had 1,116 votes. There had been one challenged ballot that …

Dieter

1:25 pm on Wednesday, December 5, 2012

I agree with you 100% JM. When the whole administrator fiasco went down, I emailed Mr. Sorenson and another council member to ask what was going on and why it happened. Mr. Sorenson filled me in on what was going on and continued to keep me informed. In the past I have never allowed any candidates to put their signs in my yard, this year is the first year I have allowed it and it was for Mr. …   more ›

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