Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Welcome Visitor! | login/logout
 
Parry declares candidacy for 26A seat
By: James Anderson
Posted: Monday, November 16, 2009 11:22 pm
Email Print
By JAMES ANDERSON

news@owatonna.com



WASECA —  Former Waseca councilman Mike Parry announced Monday that he is running for state office.

Parry sent off paperwork to the Secretary of State Monday to officially declare his candidacy for the House of Representatives District 26A race in November 2010. Shortly after, he sent an e-mail to local media outlets announcing his candidacy.

District 26A includes Owatonna and other parts of Steele County.

Parry had first announced in August that he intended to run for a public office, but he said he waited a few months to decide if he should run for a state office, local city council, or Waseca mayor.

“The biggest issue (in his decision) was I wanted to talk to people,” he said when reached via cell phone Tuesday afternoon. “I made many trips to Owatonna, in Waseca and throughout the county. Those who watched me through the council, I asked them where they thought I could better serve.”

Parry served on Waseca’s City Council from 2004 - 2008 when he was defeated by current councilman Mark Christiansen.

Parry said his business sense is what should appeal to voters next November.

“I felt the time was right to bring a business voice to the legislature,” he said.

Parry, 56, works as a consultant with clients including the North America Farm Broadcasters.




“I’m running because of businessmen,” he said. “We feel the affects of taxes.”

Parry said there are three priority areas where the state should focus.

“Economic development, job development and job creation,” he said are areas where he intends to focus. “If they leave, our education issues leave with them.”

Throughout his time with the Waseca City Council, Parry said, he was passionate about bringing jobs to Waseca and to Waseca County.

As a city council member, Parry said, he understood changes in state funding to local governments.

“What our governor has done through unallotment is to make cities look closer at what our basic needs are,” he said.

“This government has got to run like you and I run our personal finances. We can’t spend more than we take in.”

Parry said his “common sense” approach to city government will translate well on the state level.

Though the district Republicans will still go through a formal nomination process, Parry’s name is the first to surface as a possible challenger to the DFL-held District 26A seat.

Current Representative Kory Kath DFL-Owatonna, was on his way home from the Alexandria area late Monday afternoon when he said that he hadn’t heard that Parry had announced his candidacy.

“I’ve met Mike and talked to Mike before, though I don’t know him personally,” Kath said. “I’ve never felt as though I would run unopposed,” he added.

Kath said that he is busy working in the Legislature and will continue to “serve to the best of my ability.”

“The campaign is many months away,” he said, “and it’s not something I’ve focused on.”

Parry said that his next step in the run towards November 2010 is talking to as many people as he can.

“There will be a lot of shoe leather out on the street,” he said. “I want people to realize that I’m going to get out to as many homes and businesses as possible.”
Share: 
Guidelines: Welcome to the Owatonna People's Press community. Please keep your comments civil. Don't attack other readers personally and keep your language decent. If you would like to report abuse click here to notify us.
 
Member Opinions:
By: MNBear on 11/17/09
Kath needs to go. Hopefully, Parry is the right choice to replace him.

By: Bobo777 on 11/17/09
MNBear, why don't you make a run? I challenged you to this after you berated Dick Day. Still waiting for your response.

 
Login and voice your opinion!  


Video

Photo Galleries

Winter weather returns
9 images / created on Monday, February 8, 2010 at 4:26 pm

View all galleries>>
Buy photo reprints>>

I35 Marketplace Home

Featured Business:
Top Jobs | Top Homes | Top Cars 
Top Jobs
Construction
Trades/Construction Ellingson Companies is now hiring ...
Zumbro Valley Mental Health Center
Healthcare Chemical Health Counselor Connections and ...
MAs, Phlebotomists /LPNs
Healthcare Work as a contractor completing insurance ...
Census Jobs Offer:
United States Census 2010 It\'s In Our Hands Apply Now! T...
Lake Shore Inn
Healthcare Lake Shore Inn has the following position...
     
 
Copyright © 2009 Owatonna Peoples Press
 
Phone: 507-451-2840 • Fax: 507-444-2382
135 West Pearl • Owatonna, MN 55060-0346
Copyright Statement | Privacy Statement | Terms of Service
Making Web Design Easy Since 2001
Newspaper Software, Magazine Software, HOAs, Trade Associations & Community Website Software  |  Email Marketing, E-Commerce