9/14/2008 11:52:00 AM But Olson Plans November Write-in; Andrews Beats Gad
Krueger tops Olson in senate race
GAYLE BERTHIAUME of Big Lake cast her ballot in Tuesday’s primary. Election Judge Debra Shrack helped her sign in. (Photo by Jennifer Edwards).
By Jennifer Edwards Staff Writer
Primary election results in Big Lake reflected those of the rest of Sherburne County. Republican Alison Krueger defeated Rep. Mark Olson for Republican state senate candidate by 885 to 801 votes in Sherburne County. Krueger will run against Democrat Lisa Fobbe in November.
Olson says he is planning a write-in campaign in November and indicated he felt some votes were missing, uncounted from Orrock and Zimmerman.
"I'm filing the paperwork as we speak," he said Thursday. "People are very upset about how awful, how malicious their campaigning practices were. The only way to get it all out there is a continued campaign."
Olson blamed legislative leaders in St. Paul for contributing to his defeat, saying they cut him off at the knees with illegal campaign brochures.
"There is something wrong with this picture. Candidates who are brought and sold never represent the people. They represent the people who brought them," he said. "There is a cause here. there is corruption involved. Money and power are driving this. I have stood up against the influence of money more than anybody down there, Now I am paying the price."
Krueger introduced herself to the Big Lake City Council at their meeting Wednesday. She thanked her supporters and said she was a believer in transportation as well as drill here, drill now.
"I will be sitting down with you and with the county commissioners to discuss your concerns," she said. "This process is not broken. We need more involvement. To those who are active in the polls and the parties, thank you for faithfully executing your duties as citizens of this wonderful country," she said. "What is done is done. It is now time to focus on the DFL competitor locally and nationally."
Asked for her comments on the primaries, DFLer Fobbe said ,
"First, I would like to congratulate Ms. Krueger on her success in the primary. It is nice to know who I will be challenging. I am extremely energized by what has been going on with my campaign. "All over the district I have been meeting people who are engaged in the political process. They are enthused by my message of strengthening families and communities by lowering property taxes, helping to create local jobs, creating a different way of funding education, and making health care more accessible and affordable," she said.
"People recognize that this needs to happen by all political parties working together to bring about the changes we need," Fobbe said. "Again, I congratulate my challenger and look forward to crossing paths with her as the campaign season continues."
Steve Andrews defeated Bruno Gad for the Democratic nomination for the State House of Representatives. Andrews will face former Secretary of State Republican Mary Kiffmeyer.
"I am honored and humbled by the primary results of last evening," Andrews said. "Our issues-based campaign for change considers the views of Democrats, Republicans and Independents across Sherburne County and is well received."
" I will continue to listen to people to get their ideas and hear their expectations for the legislature in the days leading up to the general election and most importantly as your representative at the capital," he said.
Kiffmeyer also addressed the Big Lake City Council Wednesday and promised to work for funding to improve Hwy. 10 and Hwy. 25.
"Congratulations on the good job you did with the elections," she said. "It is exciting to see the results. It was a good process. I appreciate local government and all the work you do with the tremendous growth you have. Hwy. 10 and Hwy. 25 have been badly neglected. They are major thoroughfares and I will be carrying that message to the legislature."
"I understand your issues from your point of view and I will represent people's interests for the common good," she said.
Dean Barkley advances as the Independent party candidate for U. S. Senate.
Norm Coleman beat Jack Shepard with 75% of the vote for the Republican party candidacy and Al Franken beat closest contender Priscilla Lord Faris for the DFL by a margin of 2-1.
Bob Anderson is the independent party candidate for U. S. Representative District 6. Michele Bachmann beat Aubrey Immelman with 75% of the vote for Republican part candidate and Elwyn Tinklenberg won the DFL vote.
Of those who turned out to vote locally, in the City of Big Lake there were 1,162 ballots cast, 174 in precinct 1, 80 in Precinct 2 and 188 in precinct 3.
In Big Lake Township, 500 voters cast their ballots. Of those, 190 were in Precinct 1, 208 were in Precinct 2 and 102 were in precinct 3. In Orrock Township, 166 turned out to vote.
