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Flashy new mailer. Vague on specifics. Sidesteps nitty-gritty issues. Part of the message is a generic Republican theme that Minnesota is unaffordable, as shown by a forlorn woman at a grocery cart, and that Democratic dominance in state government is the reason why. The mailer doesn’t support the claim with cause-and-effect data.
At stake: House 26-A race as partisan kingmaker
WINONA, Minn. — The state Republican party sees Winona as a battleground with a chance to regain control the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives. The seat has been vacated by 19-term Democrat Gene Pelowski’s retirement. The state-level GOP has issued a new mailer supporting seasonal tour boat operator Aaron Repinski. The mailer is the latest in a state-level GOP salvo flooding Winona mailboxes. The new mailer features Repinski’s platform planks only in broad and general terms on easy issues like opposing “reckless spending,” which are unspecified — and who doesn’t. The mailer proclaims Repinski an advocate for working families, which would be news if he weren’t — and as if he’s alone as a candidate for working families. The mailer was silent on:
> Women’s issues, on which the state party did Repinski no favors with an earlier sexist mailer that likened teb26-A Democrat candidate Sarah Kruger to a Barbi doll.
> Abortion, on which Repinski has spoken against Minnesota’s policy that assures women a right to terminate an unwanted pregnancy.
> MAGA credentials and whether Repinski is loyal to GOP national standard-bearer Donald Trump.
There has been lingering doubt among local Republicans about Repinski’s sincerity as a Republican. His only earlier bid for public office was for o a nonpartisan City Council seat. When Repubski was rumored to be pondering a run for House District 26-A, he was asked whether he would declare as a Republican or Democrat and why. To some, his answer came across as opportunistic: He said the GOP banner seemed to present the more favorable route to being elected.
Earlier: Repinski mum on Barbi mailer against rival
Earlier: GOP goes sexist against Winona House candidate
Earlier: August 2024 primary: House District 26-A
Earlier: Repinski to vacate City Council seat
Earlier: Premature though it is, Repinski gets GOP nod
Earlier: Repinski throws hat in ring for State Legislature
Earlier: Repinski says House bid will be as a Republican