NISSWA-U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan started his 2016 re-election campaign with a well-attended rally Saturday that struck a distinctly summer-like chord.
The event at the Nisswa Community Center held a jovial air before the speeches started as attendees ate brats and quaffed beer while a musician played guitar and sang tunes by Bobby Darin and Jimmy Buffett.
Nolan mostly stuck to the same stump speech he delivered at the state DFL convention earlier this month. He talked about the importance of progressive regulations, such as workplace safety and environmental laws, in improving quality and longevity of life. He described Social Security and Medicare as possibly "the greatest two programs in the history of this world." Nolan's fiery support of campaign finance reform and single payer health insurance drew big applause from the audience, which campaign manager Joe Radinovich estimated would reach 200 people.
Trade deals such as the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Trans-Pacific Partnership unfairly made American workers compete with countries that had far fewer environmental, insurance and safety regulations in place, he said.
Nolan also railed against the war in Iraq. The money America spent on the war could have gone toward domestic initiatives here at home, he said, such as providing college for American students.
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Nolan did not directly talk about the shooting in Orlando during his remarks, but he did answer questions about it during an interview afterwards. When asked what policy changes America should undertake in response to the shooting, Nolan suggested gun control such as the "no fly, no buy" policy that would keep guns from being purchased by people on the terrorist no-fly list. Nolan called the idea "a good start" and said the House of Representatives should take it up for a vote. Nolan acknowledge that there were questions over due process with the list, which he said was a concern for him. However, court decisions have upheld that the list meant those on it couldn't fly, he said, "so I'm okay with not letting them buy guns, either."
State Auditor Rebecca Otto delivered remarks supporting Nolan and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar sent a video also expressing her support.
A number of DFL state-level candidates talked during the event, including Tiffany Stenglein, running for Senate District 10, Quinn Nystrom, House District 10A and Meg Litts, House District 9A.
Erin Wagner, DFL candidate for House District 10B, also attended the event, but did not deliver a speech as she had to leave early.
Steve Wenzel was pointed out by Nolan during his speech and Nolan said Wenzel managed Nolan's first campaign. Wenzel, a Republican, took heat at the 8th District GOP convention in May for his support of Nolan. Wenzel was elected as a delegate to the national GOP convention despite having made a campaign contribution to Nolan.
ZACH KAYSER may be reached at 218-855-5860 or Zach.Kayser@brainerddispatch.com . Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ZWKayser .
