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Saturday, September 9, 2006
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KOERING: He feels his voting record is in best interest of people in his district PRIMARY PREVIEW | State Senate District 12, Republican Associate Editor Sen. Paul Koering's third try for the Senate District 12 seat in 2000 yielded a victory over Senate President Don Samuelson by the narrowest of margins - 139 votes.
Four years later the Fort Ripley Republican is running for re-election as a much better known candidate but one who has likely lost some conservative support because of his 2005 admission that he was gay.
Koering rejects the theory that he can't win re-election, stating his voting record and work for the district has earned him the respect of many new supporters.
"A lot of people are not Republican or Democrat," he said. "I think I'll pick up almost all the independent voters because they regard me as someone who votes for the district and votes for the people's interests before all others."
Tuesday's primary challenge from Brainerd City Council member Kevin Goedker poses a hurdle Koering will face before the general election. The incumbent state senator defeated Goedker by earning 60 percent of the Senate District 12 GOP endorsing convention after seven ballots.
As he has campaigned in Morrison and Crow Wing counties Koering said he has encountered only a few people who have told him they couldnt support him because he was gay.
Im disappointed but I respect their decision, he said. If they look into Paul Koerings heart and look at my voting record they will see I represent them very well.
Responding to his opponents assertion that homosexuality is a sin and that a person shouldnt be proud of ones sins, Koering, at first, said he didnt know how to react to that statement.
Im not proud Im a sinner, Koering said. Im no better than anyone else. Im just doing the best I can with the life that God gave me.
Age: 41.
Residence: Fort Ripley.
Education: Brainerd High School.
Professional background: Former dairy farmer, owner of a funeral car service.
Endorsements: Republican Party, Minnesota Concerned Citizens for Life, National Rifle Association, Minnesota Nurses Association, Service Workers Union (SEIU), Minnesota Chiropractors Association, National Federation of Independent Businesses' Guardian of Small Business Award.
Civic/community involvement: Former member of the State Farm Bureau Board, former member of the Brainerd Community Education Advisory Committee, former member of the Crow Wing County Fair Board, member of the Brainerd Area Sertoma Club.
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Koering said he cast hundreds of vote in his four years in the Legislature and his opponent has tried to pick out particular votes to portray him as a big spender. He said his ranking with the Taxpayers League of Minnesota is favorable, overall.
I think that accusation is completely false, Koering said. I reject that notion. My record is conservative and it fits the values of the people I represent.
He decried Goedkers criticism of so-called pork barrel projects and wondered if his opponent would have supported bonding expenditures of $400,000 for the Little Falls zoo or $400,000 for the Cuyuna Trail. The trail bonding money triggered the granting of $1.2 million in federal funding for the area, he said.
Constituents should know that, he said.
He said the Taxpayers League of Minnesota is unyielding in its opposition to taxes.
Theyre absolutely opposed to any bonding bill, Koering said.
Koering said he never proposed legislation to expand MnCARE health care coverage to include everyone under 18 and accused Goedker of engaging in a negative campaign and twisting his words.
As an offshoot of his pro-life policies, Koering said he would like to see programs that support young children after they are born. Koering said he was discussing possible policies and not specific legislation.
We ought to think about or start talking about covering all the children, Koering said. A legislator needs to talk about ideas. Its an idea.
Responding to his vote in favor of a Twins stadium, Koering said the margin was such that if he had voted no the measure would have failed and the state would have likely lost the team and the teams economic stimulus.
As the Twins debate moved forward and I continued to gather information I realized there was a good chance our pro baseball team would be moving to Las Vegas.
If re-elected, Koering would like to address the issue of skyrocketing property taxes as it relates to school funding. Even though he doesnt necessarily like dedicated state funds, he said that might be something that should be considered to solve school funding woes.
Id like to start the debate on how we are going to fund education in the future, he said. Weve got to try to figure out how we can supply a steady source of funding for our education.
Pro-life legislation and the high price of health care, specifically prescription drugs will be other priorities, the first-term lawmaker said.
Although he said he wouldnt support a hike in the gas tax at this time, Koering said transportation projects will be helped if a state amendment passes this November. The amendment will make sure that all gas taxes and license fees go to transportation projects and arent diverted to other areas.
Were going to see a spike in transportation funding, Koering said. Is it enough? Of course not.
Koering is also concerned about the high cost of post-secondary education, whether its at a university or a technical college. He would like to use tools such as tax credits and low-interest loans so that a person can pursue higher education whatever the persons economic status is.
The Legislature needs to get a handle on the rising cost of tuition, which is out of control, he said.
Despite the primary challenge he faces this year and his occasional differences with party leaders, Koering is comfortable with the Republican Party.
My future actually looks very bright with the party, he said.
MIKE O'ROURKE can be reached at mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5860.
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