Mixed emotions for Republicans, Democrats

Both the state House and Senate switched from a DFL majority to a Republican majority with Tuesday’s vote. Incumbents state Rep. Tom Anzelc and Sen. Tom Saxhaug, both DFL, were successful in their campaigns, but fellow members of the state party were voted out by those backing Republican contestants.

Mark Dayton, DFL, held Thursday a fewer-than-9,000 vote lead over Republican Tom Emmer in the state gubernatorial race, likely triggering a statewide recount of ballots because the difference in vote totals was less than one-half of 1 percent. The new governor will replace Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

After serving 18 terms for Minnesota’s Eighth District, U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar, DFL, was unseated by political-newcomer, Republican Chip Cravaack.

Terry Stone, chairman of the Koochiching County GOP and executive of the party’s Eighth Congressional District, spent much of Tuesday with the Cravaack camp, and said the mood was “very animated.”

He said the district’s GOP has, after 63 years of DFL stronghold in the position, learned how to run a successful campaign.

“Single-party rule,” Stone said, “has a price to pay for the party in power.” He said that is true for both Republicans and Democrats. He said the single-party rule “does not foster accountability.”

“The goal now is to make sure the Republicans in charge don’t become unresponsive,” he warned.

But, Stone said having a Republican-majority legislature would be a return to responsible government, to fiscal responsibility and to pride in the state.

And although some DFL candidates were successful in the election, Joe Boyle, Koochiching County DFL party chair, said the loss of Oberstar in office would be felt in this area.

“Congressman Oberstar has been an outstanding congressman for our area. He has provided tremendous accomplishments,” Boyle said.

Some of those include funding for the Voyageurs National Park Headquarters and Highway 53 improvements.

“No person serving in office has a larger legacy in our area. He is an incredibly dedicated, hard-working person. The loss is devastating. He will be missed and everyone will have to work much harder because we’ve lost such a power zealously trying to help us.”

News on the state level was a mixed bag for both parties, as a Republican-majority Legislature may have to work alongside a DFL governor.

“The reality is it’s scary in a rural community like ours to have Republicans who have been hurting education for eight years with the Pawlenty administration in power,” Boyle said. “Thank God it appears a 9,000-vote difference on behalf of Dayton should hold any challenge.”

Boyle said a statewide recount, with that vote difference, would be a waste of taxpayer money.

Stone and Boyle agreed that a recount in this case would not be in the best interest of the state.

“I don’t trust either party with total control, the keys to the car,” Stone said, noting a balance of power between parties is healthy to maintaining responsible government.

In addition, Stone said a statewide recount would take up precious time and cause unnecessary uncertainty in the state.

Stats about past midterm elections

By The Associated Press

Some statistics about recent elections in Minnesota in non-presidential years. The secretary of state estimates about 3.79 million eligible voters in Minnesota, with about 3.12 million of them registered. A turnout of 56 percent would bring out 2.12 million voters; one closer to 62 percent would mean 2.36 million ballots cast.

MIDTERM TURNOUT

TOTAL VOTES Pct

2006 2,217,552 60.46%

2002 2,282,860 64.89%

1998 2,105,377 62.32%

1994 1,794,618 55.15%

1990 1,843,104 58.76%

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GOVERNOR TOTALS

2006: PAWLENTY (R) 1,028,568 HATCH (D) 1,007,460 HUTCHINSON (IP) 141,735

2002: PAWLENTY (R) 999,473 MOE (D) 821,268 PENNY (IP) 364,534

1998: VENTURA (Ref) 773,713 COLEMAN (R) 717,350 HUMPHREY (D) 587,528

1994: CARLSON (R) 1,094,165 MARTY (D) 589,344

1990: CARLSON (R) 895,988 PERPICH (D) 836,218