| Former State Rep. Ron Erhardt has decided not to run for the 41A House seat he once occupied.
The district, which covers part of Edina, used to be an easy hold for Erhardt, who was a moderate Republican representative. But in 2008 he was turned out on his political ear for voting to overturn Tim Pawlenty's veto of the transportation bill, and ran as an independent against eventual Republican victor Keith Downey and DFLer Kevin Staunton.
This time around, there was some question as to whether Erhardt would run again, but this decision makes it a two-way race between Downey and Staunton, who's back for another go.
There's some reason for Staunton and his supporters to be hopeful as well. Edina has been turning blue rapidly over the past three election cycles, and Rep. Paul Rosenthal won in 2008 on his second try at the 41B seat. With a solid ground game and a clear message, 41A is a winnable seat, especially against an incumbent like Downey who, if reports from the district hold any truth, doesn't do much to appeal to moderate suburban voters (he won with just 36% in 2008).
As he filed for the race, DFLer Staunton released a statement: "Ron [Erhardt] deserves our thanks for his 18 years of service. I look forward to continuing his legacy as Edina's next moderate voice in the state legislature."
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"This campaign is about whether we are going to dismantle the Minnesota Miracle and give up on our future or take responsibility for making the tough decisions today that will bring the next generation of Edina and Minnesota citizens the quality of life we have been so fortunate to enjoy." |
