Seifert showing strength
Republican Party
BAXTER - Grassroots politics attracted more than 200 people to the Republican caucus Tuesday at Forestview Middle School in Baxter.
Back
"Thank you for being part of a revolution that is happening in the United States to take back our country," said Chip Cravaack, Republican candidate seeking an endorsement to try to oust Rep. Jim Oberstar, D-Minn., generating spontaneous applause from the crowd.
Republicans gathered at Forestview Middle School in Baxter for Tuesday's caucus. More than 200 people attended. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey
Kristi McKeown, a 30-year-old mother of two children ages 5 and 3, was attending the caucus for the first time.
"I wanted to come out and make a difference in the beliefs that I have," McKeown said. She was one of about 35 people at the Crow Wing Township precinct gathering.
McKeown said she wanted to attend the caucus because life needs to be protected and people also need to be protected from the government. Before the gathering was done, McKeown was elected to be a precinct delegate.
A soldier, a former home-economics teacher, a pilot turned candidate, a small business owner, a chiropractor, retirees - all attended the precinct gathering. They shared views of being pro-life, pro-gun, pro-Constitution. They identified themselves as fiscal conservatives who believed in marriage between a man and a woman. Several spoke against government control of health care and were generally concerned about the direction of government.
David Schwanke (standing) led discussion as precinct chair for Brainerd Ward 3, Precinct 1 Tuesday at Forestview during the Republican Caucus. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey
McKeown said she feels a select number of people in political offices are heard but that doesn't reflect the majority of the country.
"People are able to tell their opinions and their voices can be heard whether they agree or disagree," McKeown said of what she liked about the caucus. "I think it's important that everyone's opinions are held as important."
Marty Seifert, Republican candidate for governor, received the majority of the Crow Wing Township straw poll.
Seifert didn't attend in person but had a letter read to the entire group saying he learned the basics from his young home life - don't spend more than you have, pay back what you borrow and parents, not government, raise children. Seifert stated he was in favor of government that is down-sized, economized and right-sized.
Once divided into precincts, Republicans elected delegates, considered resolutions to the party's platform and conducted a straw poll for governor.
One of the resolutions developed and passed by the Crow Wing Township precinct said any non-U.S. citizen charged with a terroristic crime against America should be denied citizen rights and be tried in a military setting.
Several candidates addressed the gathered group before participants broke up into precincts gatherings.
"I'll be honored to have your endorsement for the fifth time," said Sen. Paul Koering, R-Fort Ripley. Koering thanked people for being involved in the grassroots of the caucus.
Koering said government spending is out of control and while Republicans have been holding the line it's difficult with a DFL majority.
Paul Gazelka, former state representative who is challenging Koering for the GOP endorsement for the District 12 seat, said the state and federal governments are spending their way into deficits. Gazelka said he wants Minnesota to be job friendly.
"It's a job-killer state," he said, adding creating jobs is what private business does not government tinkering.
Doug Kern, Republican chair for Crow Wing County, earlier described the caucus as a "I want my change back" meeting. Republican caucuses were hosted in Baxter, Nisswa, Crosby and Crosslake.
Vote totals announced late Tuesday night:
For governor: Seifert 265, Phil Herwig 7, Robert Carney 3, Tom Emmer 103, David Hann 18, Bill Haas 7, Leslie Davis 3, Norm Coleman 1, Gazelka 3 and undecided 26.
RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.