Greg Clausen Endorsed by Strib - Pat Hall Didn't Show Up Yet Again

by Dave Mindeman

The Star Tribune endorsed local candidate Greg Clausen for Senate District 57.  That isn't a particular surprise because the Star Tribune tends to favor Democrats.  But there are two things to note.  I will explain after you examine the endorsement itself. (bold emphasis is mine)

District 57: Greg Clausen  

Recently retired educators often bring a needed long-term perspective to legislative service. Greg Clausen, a recently retired Rosemount High School principal, would fit that pattern if the DFL candidate is elected to fill the open Senate seat in Apple Valley and Rosemount.

Clausen, 65, spent 40 years as a teacher, coach or principal. He knows how to manage public money. He's seen economic and demographic changes and their consequences firsthand, and knows how to adjust public programs to accommodate them. He's acquired the habits of teamwork and consensus-building.

He easily gets our nod because GOP candidate Pat Hall declined our request for an interview. He was the only candidate for the Legislature to do so this season.

Hall, 58, is a clergyman who founded True Light Covenant Church in Minneapolis in 2007. On his website, he embraces GOP orthodoxy -- reduced spending and taxes, parental control of education, an end to legal abortion. Voters seeking a more open-minded approach to state policy will find much to like in Clausen.

Note 1 - The qualifications of Clausen for the job was clearly evident to the editorial board.

Note 2 - Pat Hall was the only candidate for the Legislature that did not even bother to interview.  THE ONLY ONE!

Partisan or non-partisan, the choice in Senate District 57 is obvious.