|
|
Saturday, October 28, 2006
|
|
Vote, announcement can't derail Koering MINNESOTA SENATE DISTRICT 12 Associate Editor Eighteen months ago, political observers might have predicted doom for state Sen. Paul Koering's political career.
The Fort Ripley lawmaker had just voted against his own Republican Party on a procedural vote relating to the Defense of Marriage Amendment. His split with party leaders was followed by a bombshell announcement that he was gay - the only openly gay Republican in the Legislature.
Some area Republicans felt betrayed by Koering. Others rallied to his defense. The Republican Crow Wing County chair at the time of Koering's announcement predicted the lawmaker's sexual orientation could cause political problems for him if he voted the "wrong way" on the issue of the marriage amendment.
Fast forward to late October and Koering appears to be fully at ease with his decision to announce his sexual orientation and with his re-election campaign. He fought off challenger Kevin Goedker in a seven ballot-contest at the Senate District 12 Republican endorsing convention in April and then beat Goedker again in the Sept. 12 primary, 3,956 to 3,270 votes. The primary victory came despite being the target of mailings by two Minneapolis family advocacy groups for his refusal to sign a marriage protection pledge.
"I think the response has been extremely positive everywhere I go," Koering said. "A lot of people are saying I'm a Democrat but I'm voting for Paul Koering."
His sexual orientation, he said, is a non-issue. District 12 residents, he said, want a senator who can do the job and there has been nothing negative on that issue since the primary.
"I don't think that will affect this race at all," the first-term senator said. "I've done the job very effectively. I believe we'll be back in office."
Koering, 41, owner of Koering Funeral Car Service, said he expects to receive support from all the Republicans, all the independents and some of the Democrats.
"I vote for what I think is right for my constituency and I think people respect that," Koering said. "I don't think there's going to be any drop off (among Republicans)."
If re-elected, Koering wants to encourage his colleagues to look beyond the next election cycle and consider how the state is going to fund education and address concerns about the environment and encroaching development on agricultural land in the long term.
"Education has taken a beating in the last couple of years," he said.
Controlling the skyrocketing cost of health care and keeping state taxes competitive with other states also will be priorities for Koering. The senator also wants to work on bolstering renewable resources such as ethanol, wind, solar and methane.
"I continue to try to be someone who finds the delicate balance between how much is too much taxes and how much is not enough," Koering said.
Asked to contrast himself with his opponent, Crow Wing County Commissioner Terry Sluss, Koering pointed to his endorsements by Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life and the National Rifle Association.
He said he has 100 percent rating from the NRA while the group's question mark behind Sluss' name indicates Sluss is unwilling to work with them and sends a troubling message to sportsmen and sportswomen.
Koering said he favors the Taxpayers' Protection Act that would amend the state constitution to prohibit state funding for abortions. He said Sluss didn't answer the MCCL questionnaire. Koering rejected the proposition that too much emphasis is placed on pro-life and firearms' owners' rights.
"They're huge issues that are extremely important," he said. "As long as I'm in office I'll continue to work on them."
He took pride in his appointment to the Bonding Conference Committee - an honor he said was unheard of for a freshman legislator. The appointment, he said, testifies to his ability to get along with other lawmakers and bring home results for his district.
While he rejected the label of moderate, Koering said he is a realist in his dealings at the Capitol.
"It's a whole different world," he said of the Legislature. "I've taken to it like a duck to water. I have a great ability to get along with people of all political persuasions." As far as his occasional tendency to differ with his Republican leaders, Koering said he draws upon his lifetime in the Brainerd area before he casts a vote.
"That's my own convictions," he said. "Me, just being myself. I think I have a good feeling for what the people of Morrison County and Crow Wing County are expecting from their legislator."
MIKE O'ROURKE can be reached at mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5860.
|
|
|
Thinking about a New Job?
These employers want you!
|
|
Schools has an opening fo...
|
|
not a
9-5 person,
how about
11-2, 4-...
|
|
CASH!!
Independent Carrier need...
|
|
position plans sales trai...
|
|
is hiring for the following
...
|
|
|
|
Bids Being Accepted
call...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Today's Best Classifieds:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Overcast, 61°
