Local News
St. James farmer wins 21B endorsement
ST. JAMES — St. James farmer Paul Torkelson won a lengthy battle for the Republican endorsement in the state House district encompassing Brown County and parts of Watonwan and Redwood counties.
Torkelson, making his first run for political office, endured a 10-round bout with Sleepy Eye farmer Greg Bartz at the District 21B endorsing convention in Springfield Thursday night. At about 11:30 p.m., Torkelson finally gained the 60 percent support from delegates required for endorsement.
“I told the delegates last night it was exciting and terrifying at the same time,” he said Friday morning. “I also told a few people it’s like waiting for your first child to be born.”
Torkelson actually trailed Bartz 38 votes to 26 after the first vote with another 25 delegates splitting their support between Hanska dental hygienist Ruthie Hendrycks and Sleepy Eye farmer Dean Simonsen.
Torkelson had emphasized to delegates before the convention that, even if he wasn’t their first choice, he’d like their support if their preferred candidate wasn’t going to win. And Simonsen’s supporters moved to Torkelson on the second and third rounds of voting.
After Hendrycks was forced to drop out when convention rules narrowed the choice to the two top vote-getters, her delegates also seemed to flow mostly to Torkelson. He had a 47-40 lead after four ballots, but it took another six rounds of balloting before he could pry enough of Bartz’s delegates away to reach the 60 percent threshold.
All four candidates had signed pledges to drop from the race if another candidate received the endorsement, so it will be Torkelson as the Republican candidate on the Nov. 4 ballot unless there’s a surprise GOP candidate who surfaces.
Democrat Bob Skillings of New Ulm is the only DFLer in the race and is expected to be his party’s nominee.
For the complete story, see Saturday’s print edition or e-edition.
- Local News
-
-
Mankato budget cuts could cripple library, senior center
The proposed city budget assumes that the state will cut its Local Government Aid by $1.7 million.
-
Back to burgers at old Hilltop Tavern site
Hilltop Tavern was legendary in its day. Guenther's Cafe isn't a replica, but it carries the legacy well.
-
Seniors learn age is no barrier to exercise
Workouts at assisted-living facility intended to help them remain independent.
-
Point out the potholes on interactive map
The Free Press offers you an opportunity to contribute to improving your streets.
-
Ask Us: City to review traffic changes
Traffic studies are difficult to do during the winter months.
- Weird News: Nothing's too good for Fido
- Weird News: Reverend's defense may not stand a prayer
-
Detox center will try to bill insurers
Blue Earth County paid almost $390,000 to send people to the Brown County Evaluation Cener in 2009.
-
Small towns face aid cuts
Small cities — those with less than 1,000 residents — have been spared cuts in Local Government Aid in the past. That's unlikely to remain the case. For many, that money is a significant portion of the budget.
-
Winthrop: 'We've raised our taxes and cut our future'
Sibley County city is just big enough to have lost Local Government Aid in previous cuts, and small enough to lack budget flexibility.
- More Local News Headlines
-
