Randy Demmer for Congress - Representative Randy Demmer To Seek First District Congressional Seat

(Rochester, MN) – State Representative Randy Demmer (R-Hayfield) has announced that he will seek election in 2010 as the Representative from Minnesota’s First Congressional District, a position currently held by Tim Walz (D-Mankato). Demmer is serving his 4th term as State Representative for District 29A, having been first elected in 2002. Demmer is a lifetime resident of Hayfield, Minnesota, and spent over 20 years owning and managing a corn and soybean farm, three auto parts stores, and an accounting software and computer consulting business.

Demmer said his campaign would focus on the importance of the private sector in America – not reliance on the government. “The growth in government that is occurring under this democratic majority is astounding – not just in terms of spending, which is spiraling out of control, but in how the federal government is extending its reach into the lives – and pocketbooks - of every citizen in this district and in our country.”

“When I travel the district and talk to folks all across Southern Minnesota, I hear concerns – and I agree – that Washington is out of touch with citizens in Minnesota” Demmer said. “Accountability has to start at home and with the person we send to Washington to speak on our behalf. The voters of the First District want to be represented by someone who understands their principals and values – which Tim Walz is failing to do.”

Demmer cited Tim Walz’s votes in support of cap and trade legislation, the failed stimulus package, and the recent health care reform bill as examples of Walz’s lack of judgment in his representation of the first district. “Walz simply isn’t representing the interests of the citizens of Minnesota’s First District – he’s blindly following the lead of Speaker Pelosi and the Democratic majority as they ram home their irresponsible liberal agenda leading us down the path of a more socialistic society”.

Demmer noted that with Walz’s support the federal government is expanding at breakneck speed. “He has advocated for trillions of dollars in new taxes, spending, and debt; encouraged creation of new entitlement programs; and supported unprecedented government intervention in the financial, health care, and energy industries”, Demmer said. “Left unchecked, the growth in government spending and expansion of entitlement programs will bankrupt our country and drag us all into economic ruin.”

“These truly are challenging times, and elected officials locally, at the state capitol, and in Washington need to step up and respond,” Demmer continued. “However, Tim Walz and other liberals in Washington are demonstrating blind allegiance to the extreme agenda championed by Speaker Pelosi, and have twisted this into a call for more government resulting in more regulation and massive spending.” Demmer described how voters in the First District know that they can’t run their businesses or care for their families with this approach, and that our country was not built in this way. “Government must stay out of the way and foster an environment in which people can innovate and prosper due to their own initiative and their own interpretation of the needs of society.”

“From my perspective as a parent, a small business owner, a school board member, a community volunteer, and as an elected public policy maker, I understand that we need long – term solutions, not short term fixes” Demmer concluded. “Our representatives in government need to act with an eye toward our children’s’ futures, not their approval ratings; a view to sound public investment, not out of control spending; and with a commitment to an economic environment where everyone has the chance to build their own American dream – not false hopes based on pre-packaged government bureaucracy”.