Stevenson endorsed for District 12 Senate seat on first ballot
FORT RIPLEY - Political newcomer Taylor Stevenson, 22, won 79 percent of the votes in a first-ballot DFL endorsement for the Senate District 12 seat, Saturday defeating the DFLer who earned that endorsement in 2006.
Stevenson defeated former Crow Wing County Commissioner Terry Sluss 95-24, easily surpassing the 60 percent threshold that was needed for endorsement.
Taylor Stevenson
"It's going to be a tough road to November," he told the crowd at the Fort Ripley Steak House after he earned the DFL nod. "We have to take our vision to every voter in the district."
The Dartmouth College senior and Baxter resident thanked Sluss for his efforts and said the DFL will be ready to take on the Republicans in the fall.
In an interview, Stevenson said the party is unified with a new energy. He said delegates responded to his messages to renew the spirit of compromise and win in November. He said he did not see the endorsement tally as a vote against Sluss, who he said has had a life of service to the community.
"This party wants to be re-energized," he said.
Senate District 12 DFLers also unanimously endorsed incumbents Rep. John Ward (District 12A) of Brainerd and Rep. Al Doty (District 12B) for re-election to their House seats. Both of those former teachers were elected in 2006 and neither had any opposition Saturday.
Sluss, 61, of Baxter, said he thought he would do better at the convention and noted that outcomes are always decided by who shows up. He said he now supports Stevenson in his bid for the seat, which is held by Sen. Paul Koering, R-Fort Ripley.
"Tay worked hard," he said.
Elected to the Crow Wing County Board in 1996 and then re-elected to that post two more times, Sluss said Stevenson may end up running against two Republicans, speculating that former Rep. Paul Gazelka might win the Republican endorsement and Koering might run as an independent.
Sluss said he didn't do as well as he would have liked to in Morrison County four years ago and said he was unsure of how Stevenson might appeal to the broader spectrum of voters in the general election.
"I don't know," Sluss said. "I know Morrison County is fairly conservative."
Before the balloting Sluss emphasized his experience as Crow Wing County's methamphetamine prevention coordinator and emergency manager.
"I will walk the walk and not just talk the talk," he told delegates.
Stevenson addressed his youth, in a speech that preceded the endorsement, by comparing his bid to that of David, the young man in the Bible who slew the giant, Goliath.
He pledged to fund struggling schools, put people back to work, help small businesses and protect the environment. He also called for rigorous debate and real compromise in politics. Stevenson said the state must no longer rely on the regressive property tax and promised to fight for fair taxes for all Minnesotans.
He said his and Sluss' campaign struck different tones than the campaigns of their Republican counterparts.
"By relying on the politics of personal insult, Paul Koering and Paul Gazelka are trying to navigate the low road to St. Paul," Stevenson said.
Ward said the decision to run for re-election was not an easy one for him. He said he has worked for a bonding bill and has authored "Joey's Law," a measure to help curb drunken driving; and a bill to help people who have contracted Lyme's disease. He said he also has worked to help veterans, seniors and the disabled.
"We've got people who say nope all the time," Ward said. "Sometimes we've got to say nope but I'm not afraid to provide hope."
Doty told the Democrats the expected budget shortfall in the next biennium could be about $7 billion. He criticized Gov. Tim Pawlenty for wanting to borrow money and for going after dedicated funds in order to meet budget shortfalls.
"That's not going to be fun (fixing the next session's budget)," Doty said. "It's not going to be easy. Things are really looking grim for next session, but there's hope."
After the convention Stevenson said he plans to stick to his message regardless of who his Republican opponent is.
Stevenson will return to the Ivy League and to his rugby team March 16 for 10 weeks of school. He plans to graduate June 13 with degrees in philosophy and government and a minor in German studies. Shortly after graduation he'll return to Minnesota. He said work on the campaign would continue without his presence in the district this spring.
"We have a good plan in place," he said. "This isn't a break for us."
Stevenson was nominated by Ben Surma, 18, a Little Falls Community High School student. The nomination was seconded by Win Borden, a former DFL state senator.
MIKE O'ROURKE may be reached at mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5860.