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Wednesday, November 5, 2008
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Ward rolls past Pundt A big night for the Democrats Associate Editor Rep. John Ward, 58, DFL-Brainerd, built a substantial lead and appeared headed to victory late Tuesday in his effort to win re-election in House District 12A against Republican David Allan Pundt, 62, of Baxter.
With 19 of 27 precincts reporting Ward led Pundt 10,125-5,150 or 66 to 33 percent.
Ward, a retired Brainerd School District teacher and former coach, said he hadn't heard from his challenger and realized that the race wasn't over yet.
"I've coached long enough to know it's not over until it's over," he said. "I think it's very difficult to recover from those numbers. It looks like they elected me to a second term. I'm just humbled and honored to have the opportunity to fight for and battle for the cause of the people."
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Kris Hasskamp (left), Shirley McConnell, John Ehlert and Maggie Nelson celebrated as they learned that Sen. Barack Obama clinched the presidential election while they attended at a reception for successful state House candidate John Ward at the Lodge in Baxter. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
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Pundt described himself as an absolute rookie at legislative campaigns and said he didn't know which precincts were still out.
"I'm going to hang in there and see what the final results are," the former radio journalist said.
He said the reason he embarked on the campaign was to shrink state government.
"You can't tax your way to prosperity," he said.
There was a stark contrast between the Pundt and Ward gatherings before 9 p.m.
Ward's supporters arrived early in a suite with three TVs. Food was set out and there was beer and ice in the bath tub. The Democrats, encouraged by Sen. Barack Obama's early state wins, were in a mood to party.
Pundt's crowd was fewer in number and more subdued, particularly after Obama claimed Ohio early in the evening.
"Maybe we should pop in a movie," Pundt joked after the television report on Ohio came in.
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Rep. John Ward, DFL-Brainerd, was jubilant as he built a substantial lead in his bid for re-election to the House District 12A seat against Republican David Allan Pundt of Baxter. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
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Another first-term DFLer, Rep. Al Doty, DFL-Royalton, was locked in a tight battle with Mike LeMieur, the Republican challenger and Little Falls City Council president.
LeMieur, the nephew of former State Rep. Steve Wenzel, DFL-Little Falls, said it had been an exciting night.
"I'm just going to sit back and keep looking at the tally and hopefully I'll succeed."
Doty declined to predict the outcome of the race.
"We're going to hang in here until our eyes fall out and we find out who wins," he said.
With 39 of 52 precincts reporting Doty led LeMieur 8,092-7,831 or 50 to 49 percent.
In District 4B, Rep. Larry Howes, R-Walker, and DFLer Meg Bye, 65, of rural Pequot Lakes were also in a tight race.
Howes led Bye 5,868-5,267 or 52 to 47 percent with 39 of 75 precincts reporting.
In District 11B Rep. Mary Ellen Otremba, DFL-Long Prairie, led her Republican challenger Dave Kircher 7,300 to 6,406 with 43 of 54 precincts in.
MIKE O'ROURKE may be reached at mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5860.
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