Wilfahrt Running Against Bills for Minnesota House 'for the Sake of the Constitution'

Last week, Rosemount resident Jeff Wilfahrt, last week that he will be running for the Minnesota Legislature in House District 37B as a democrat, against first-term Republican Rep. Kurt Bills.

Much of the eastern half of Apple Valley is in District 37B.

“I feel I need to fight onwards for the sake of the Constitution,” said Wilfahrt.

Wilfahrt, , is particularly dedicated to defending the LGBTQ community, specifically the community’s right to argue the Defense of Marriage Act, he said. This issue has personal resonance with Wilfahrt, whose son, Andrew, an openly gay soldier, was killed in February 2011 while serving in Afghanistan. Wilfahrt has spoken with conviction about the importance of straight allies’ participation in the LGBTQ rights movement.

“He’s a good man,” said Wilfahrt’s wife, Lori Wilfahrt. “He’s found this passion and energy to participate in the process.”

Wilfahrt describes himself as fiscally conservative and socially progressive, and spoke in strong opposition to what he referred to as limited and deconstructive Republican government.

When asked about Bills, Wilfahrt spoke critically of Bills’ vote in support of DOMA. He also discussed Bills’ political past, specifically his authorship of that would expand a shooter’s ability to claim self-defense and another in favor of the adoption of an alternative state currency.

“The race between Bills and I probably represents one of the most significant ideological choices of all the races in the state of Minnesota,” Wilfahrt said.

Wilfahrt has begun to plan his campaign. He said he hopes to use the Internet, specifically social media, as a campaign tool, while also incorporating more traditional techniques, such as lawn signs, pamphlets and canvassing.

For Wilfahrt, the memory of his son will fuel him as he continues campaigning.

“I think he would be proud of me for standing up and fighting for a minority community,” Wilfahrt said.

In the November 2010 election, Bills defeated Democratic candidate Phillip Sterner with about 58 percent of the vote.