Koering wins
Persistence paid off for Republican Paul Koering in the form of a 143-vote margin of victory in Tuesday's election.
An odyssey that began in August 1995, when the Fort Ripley man told area Republicans he would challenge Sen. Don Samuelson, DFL-Brainerd, ended successfully on his third try for the legislative seat.
The farmer and small business owner ran a competitive race against the longtime incumbent in 1996, came within 411 votes of victory in 2000 and Tuesday night beat the bricklayer-politician 16,711-16,568. The percentage margin was 50.19 percent for Koering and 49.76 percent for Samuelson, the Senate president.
Contacted early this morning, Koering, 37, said he felt as if someone might try to take away his prize. He never wavered in his determination to replace the man who had represented this area in the Legislature since 1968, with only a brief two-year absence.
"A loss is always difficult," Koering said. "I felt really strongly about what I believe in and I knew I wanted to represent this area. I grew up here. I guess I'm the kind of person, when I believe in something I go after it wholeheartedly.
"Certainly it's a very small margin and I'm going to have to show the people that didn't vote for me ... I'm just going to go all out."
Like the newly elected governor, Rep. Tim Pawlenty, R-Eagan, Koering has signed a no-tax pledge. He said he wants to streamline government without harming education or nursing homes.
"I just want to get down there and prove myself," Koering said.
Koering's success at the polls Tuesday placed Samuelson, one of the Brainerd area's most successful politicians, on the sidelines.
Samuelson, 70, said the popularity of U.S. Senate candidate Norm Coleman in this district was one factor in his defeat.
"He spent a lot of time here," Samuelson said. "He rejuvenated folks on the Republican side. He worked this area very, very hard."
Samuelson said one of the legislative accomplishments he was proud of was the merging of the area's vo-tech school and junior college and the resulting $23 million expansion of Central Lakes College, which he termed the "envy of the whole state."
Noting that former Vice President Walter Mondale was unexpectedly pressed into service, Samuelson said he wouldn't rule out another bid for elective office. He also noted that if Gov. Jesse Ventura suddenly resigns, Samuelson, as Senate president, would become lieutenant governor.
Samuelson admits to having a vested interest in many state projects that he has worked on.
"I hope they don't devastate our state hospital that I've tried to protect for years," he said. "It is tough to let go. I've always said very candidly I like my job in the Legislature."
Friends have encouraged him to relax and spend time fishing but Samuelson said that's not his forte. He said he enjoys public service. Remembering back to 1978 when he was defeated in a House re-election bid he also recalled how quickly the phone stops ringing and some acquaintances show their true colors.
Some of his fondest political memories include getting the chance to see President George W. Bush, shaking hands with President Lyndon B. Johnson and knowing two former vice presidents, Hubert H. Humphrey and Mondale. He thanked the people of his legislative district for the chance to serve them for 32 years.
"Those are really great memories," he said. "To serve 32 years in the Legislature, that's an education you couldn't buy."
He said he always relied on support from independents and Republicans in his elections but perhaps the political climate has become too polarized for that strategy to succeed. He would advise new legislators to listen and learn and not expect to set the world on fire during their first days at the state Capitol.
"There's winners and losers and you always hate to be a loser," Samuelson said. "It's more fun to be on the other side, but that's the way democracy works."