LINK: Councilman Klein Not Seeking Re-Election

Bill Klein told the Pioneer Press that politics still might be in his future.

Washington Post: Second Congressional District 'Surprisingly Competitive'

The fate of the U.S. House of Representatives rests on a few battleground districts, including Minnesota's Second Congressional District, according to the Post.

Rep. John Kline's (R) race against Democratic challenger Mike Obermueller has caught the eye of the Washington Post. Minnesota's Second Congressional District may be "surprisingly competitive" this year, according to a May 11 article in the Post highlighting battleground districts across the country. Kline "drew the short straw" in redistricting, the Post said, and faces tighter re-election chances. The Post also cited the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's decision to provide support to Obermueller through its Red to Blue Emerging Races program as a factor. Kline, a five-term incumbent, has for years won re-election by double-digit margins in the congressional district.

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Obermueller To Receive National Financial and Strategic Backing

Second Congressional District Democratic candidate Mike Obermueller pledged to raise $1 million to fund his campaign against Rep. John Kline.

Eagan resident and Second Congressional District candidate Mike Obermueller has caught the attention of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. DCCC Executive Director Robby Mook announced in a conference call Thursday morning that the committee has added Minnesota's Second Congressional District, currently represented by Rep. John Kline (R) to its Red to Blue Emerging Races program. The Emerging Races program highlights "top Democratic campaigns" across the country. Campaigns are chosen, in part, by looking at the viability, resources and organization of the candidate, Mook said in the conference call. The program pledges increased financial, strategic and communications support. Obermueller, a former state representative, is …

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Ganey Concedes, DFLer Mike Obermueller to Face John Kline for Congress Seat

Ahead of the fourth ballot, Northfield's Patrick Ganey conceded to Eagan's Mike Obermueller for the DFL endorsement for Minnesota's Second Congressional District. Obermueller will face Lakeville's John Kline, a five-term Republican incumbent.

And then there was one. Eagan's Mike Obermueller, a former state representative, was endorsed as the Second Congressional District's DFL candidate on Saturday at Rosemount High School after Northfield's Patrick Ganey conceded before the fourth ballot. Obermueller, who then received unanimous support, will face Republican John Kline, a five-term incumbent from Lakeville. Kathleen Gaylord, Dakota County commissioner and former mayor of South St. Paul, conceded earlier in the contest.  For a full recap of the event, read our live blog above. _________ Second Congressional District DFLers gather at Rosemount High School today to select their nominee to challenge Republican incumbent John Kline in the November elections. Kline received the …

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State Rep. Joe Atkins Announces Re-Election Bid, Will Not Run for Congress

After much post-redistricting speculation, Inver Grove Heights Rep. Joe Atkins has decided to stay in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Note: The following is a press release issued today by the office of Minnesota State Rep. Joe Atkins. State Rep. Joe Atkins finalized his decision to seek re-election to the Minnesota House at his daughter’s high school basketball game on Wednesday night.  There had been wide speculation until now that Atkins would run for Congress in Minnesota’s newly-drawn 2nd Congressional District.  “I may or may not get more chances to run for higher office, but I only get one chance at being a good dad,” said Atkins.  “Being in Washington, D.C. at this point would not allow me to be involved in my family and in our community as much as I would like.”  Atkins and his wife, Julia, have three children, ages 18, 17 and 15.  Just prior to his daughter’s …

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Republicans Like Their Chances After Redistricting

With redrawn district lines still sinking in, Inver Grove Heights Republican leader Mark Westpfahl sees opportunities for his party to make electoral gains.

The redistricting process brought some significant changes for Inver Grove Heights. The town will now be part of Lakeville Republican John Kline’s Congressional District 2. Democratic State Rep. Joe Atkins lost some territory up North, but gains a Westward swathe or real estate. “I think it’s going to wind up beneficial for us”, said local Republican Chairman Mark Westpfahl about his party’s chances against Atkins. “We lose a couple of South St. Paul precincts that tended traditionally to vote a little bit more DFL, and we’re picking up a couple of precincts over in Eagan and Mendota Heights that traditionally have voted a little bit more Republican.” The Republican ticket for the new District 52B will likely be cemented in late April or …

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Week in Review: Feb. 25, 2012

What happened this week in Inver Grove Heights?

Monday: Police Charge Stray Sex Offender Convicted rapist James L. Morrow gets nabbed when he tries to move into Inver Grove Heights. He had not reported his whereabouts to law enforcement for weeks.   Tuesday: Inver Grove Heights Becomes Part of District 2 Redistricting reshapes Inver Grove Heights politics. All of Dakota County will now be part of Minnesota's second Congressional district.   Wednesday: Real Estate Rebound Hits Inver Grove Heights Inver Grove Heights realtors say the local housing market is slowly climbing out of the hole.   Thursday: Mild Winter Cuts City’s Snow Plowing Cost by Half Winter is not over, but it looks like Inver Grove Heights will end up saving tens of thousands of dollars on snow removal.   Friday: Joe …

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Joe Atkins Is Not Running for Congress – For Now

Supporters are urging State Rep. Joe Atkins (D) to set his sights on Washington. So far, he is not taking the bait.

Inver Grove Heights became part of Congressional District 2 after a judicial panel released the new legislative district maps on Tuesday. The incumbent in that district is Lakeville Republican John Kline. For the past ten years, Inver Grove Heights and the metropolitan areas of Dakota County bordering St. Paul were part of District 4, represented by Democrat Betty McCollum. Now, Joe Atkins is fielding calls from supporters who want him to challenge Kline. “I’ve had some people talk like that, yes”, said Atkins. “But I haven’t given it much thought.” Atkins said he had been focusing on legislative work this week. So what would have to happen for him to go after Kline? “If I had given it even that much thought, I’d have an answer to that. I’…

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Jim Edward

7:34 am on Monday, February 27, 2012

Marjorie, I agree with your assessment of Joe Atkins. It would be a total shame to see him go to Washington and end up like our other 2 "Do Nothing" people we have sent there.   more ›

Santorum Wins in Inver Grove Heights and Across the State

Inver Grove Heights residents showed their democratic spirit at Tuesday evening's caucus.

Rick Santorum won the House District 39B Republican presidential straw poll at Tuesday evening’s caucus, which was held at Simley High School and included Inver Grove Heights precincts 1-10. “He’s the perfect blend of conservative, without being a little out there,” said Ted Trenzeluk, the convener for Inver Grove Heights Precinct 1. “He’s a little bit more mainstream conservative.” Santorum received 132 of the 313 votes cast in District 39B, or 42.17 percent. Ron Paul followed, with 96 votes, or 30.67 percent. Romney received 54 votes, or 17.25 percent, Gingrich received 30, or 9.58 percent and other received 1, or .32 percent. Santorum’s win in Inver Grove Heights mirrors straw poll results across the state. Though counting still hadn’t …

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