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Rukavina for Governor? Popular and Populist

by: Grace Kelly

Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 13:32:42 PM CDT

Going back to my rural roots, Tom Rukavina is a Ventura-like candidate who could do surprisingly well if he ever got organized. While I am always second-guessing whether a candidate will do what he or she says, I never, ever doubt Tom Rukavina. His courage and honesty should appeal to any progressive. Tom wears his heart and his soul wide open. With this wide open populist approach, Tom Rukavina frequently captures the media stories. This is a talent that would be critical in a governor's race. Even his opponents are entertained!

Tom Rukavina is a DFL House Representative from Virginia. This is an area with wide open spaces and many bars, a drinking culture. So it will probably not surprise you to find out that Tom Rukavina was driving erratically and was therefore cited for a fourth-degree DUI in 2004. Tom Rukavina cooperated with the Sheriff. In the next election, Tom Rukavina won by a higher percentage than before.

Minnesota Brown described Tom this way:

State Rep. Tom Rukavina is one of the great characters of the Iron Range. I mean great in that he personifies our unusual culture rather well and that his heart is usually in the right place, too.
(Minnesota Brown)

Tom Rukavina can champion surprising populist causes. Tom championed into law the requirement that alcohol be available to all legal-age buyers at the new TCF Bank Stadium at the University of Minnesota or that no alcohol at all be available. Previously, the U of M's plan was just to offer alcohol in the premium seats.

"There was an overwhelming feeling in the Legislature that what the Board of Regents did was elitist," Rukavina said. "If you can afford to sit in the premium seats, you can drink chardonnay, and if you sit in the cheap seats, you get water or pop ... We didn't think that was right."
(Uwire)

I stood up and cheered to this one!

While Tom Rukavina has not formally declared, he spoke in the time sent aside for gubernatorial candidates at a Minnesota DFL central committee meeting. Could this guy catch fire? Tell me what you think!

Grace Kelly :: Rukavina for Governor? Popular and Populist

Here is the Rukavina speaking at the House:

Here is a sampling of various ratings that Representaive Rukavina has receivied,

2007 Representative Rukavina supported the interests of the OutFront Minnesota 100 percent in 2007.
2008 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to Clean Water Action Alliance of Minnesota's position, Representative Rukavina received a rating of 64.71.
2007-2008 Representative Rukavina supported the interests of the Minnesota Sierra Club-North Star 75 percent in 2007-2008.
2007 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to Children's Defense Fund Minnesota's position, Representative Rukavina received a rating of 83.
2007 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to Minnesota AFL-CIO's position, Representative Rukavina received a rating of 100.
2003-2004 Representative Rukavina supported the interests of the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition 83 percent in 2003-2004.
1999 Representative Rukavina supported the interests of the Minnesota National Organization for Women 100 percent in 1999.
2008 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota's position, Representative Rukavina received a rating of 91.
(Project Vote Smart)