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Tuesday, December 11, 2007
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Gazelka says he won't run for Legislature
Associate Editor Paul Gazelka of rural Brainerd, who served one term in the Minnesota Legislature, said Monday he won't be a candidate for that body in 2008.
Gazelka, 48, who was elected to represent House District 12A in 2004 with 50.1 percent of the vote, said a busy family life in the next few years would preclude his running for a legislative seat.
The owner of Paul Gazelka Insurance Inc., Gazelka said he definitely would consider running for the state Legislature in the future. He is the father of five children ages 21, 19, 16, 14 and 6. Among many family-related activities, he said he had volunteered to coach junior varsity boys' basketball at Lake Region Christian School.
"I've got many key family events coming up that I just don't want to miss out on," he said. "Raising a family takes a lot of effort."
Working as a lawmaker, Gazelka said, takes a lot more time than many people think. He said he recently sent an e-mail out to about a dozen people, notifying them of his decision so potential candidates would know his plans.
The 48-year-old Republican defeated DFLer Don Samuelson who had 46.2 percent of the vote and Independence Party candidate Larry Anderson, who had 3.51 percent of the vote. Gazelka was defeated by the current incumbent, John Ward of Brainerd, in 2006.
Ward said running for the Legislature is a difficult decision and he respects each person's decision.
"I think it's pretty well-known I'm going to run for re-election," he said.
MIKE O'ROURKE may be reached at mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5859.
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