The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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July 14, 2009

Landkamer starts new state post

Special election likely for open seat

By Dan Linehan

MANKATO — Paperwork dominated Blue Earth County Commissioner Colleen Landkamer’s first day as Minnesota’s director of rural development, but she’s looking forward to “do good things for rural communities.”

She plans to step down from the County Board this Tuesday. The board will presumably accept her resignation and declare a vacancy.

There’s more than a year left on Landkamer’s term, which runs through 2010, so the county will have to hold a special election for the 1st District’s seat. The winner will have perhaps a year in office before having to defend the seat in November of 2010. The 1st District is comprised entirely of city of Mankato precincts.

The Department of Agriculture post is responsible for promoting economic development in rural areas, helping build public facilities like health clinics, drinking water and sewers, electric services and aid to small towns.

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar recommended Landkamer for the post.

Landkamer has long been active in rural development. She pioneered the rural caucus at the National Association of Counties about 15 years ago and was the organization’s president for a year beginning in July of 2006. She works in St. Paul but plans to remain living in Blue Earth County.

Landkamer, 59, was the first female Blue Earth County Commissioner when she was first elected in 1988.

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