August ballot: Kruger-Voegeli in 26A

WINONA, Minn. – Ask most Winona Democrats about the primary election Tuesday for the county’s seat in the state Legislature. They might have a favorite between Sarah Kruger and Dwayne Voegeli, but they eill concede that both are knowledgeable on issues, well credentialed, and committed to public service. In campaigning Kruger has emphasized her St. Paul connections as chief lobbyist for FairVote MN, a nonprofit advocacy group for expanded voting rights. Also, she notes her advocacy on rural funding through the Southern Minnesota Democratic Action Group.

From whence they came

Voeglie is a 28-year classroom veteran teaching high school civics. Hehas served 10 years on the Winna County Board. As candidates, both have been around the block. Although Kruger lost a 2022 bid for the State Senate to the Republican incumbent, Jeremy Miller, she did receive 8,000 votes — and, she’ll tell you, she got her name out and picked up valuable lessons in how to campaign. Voegeli, in his most recent election to the County Board, won 61% of the vote from his west Winona neighborhoods. Neither Kruger nor Voegeli is is a stranger to Winona. She was schooled at Cotter, although she did leave for college elsewhere and pursued an advanced studies in public affairs. Voegeli has been a popular teacher who’s known to generations of Winona High School graduates who now are voters. He has held the title of Winona Teacher of the Year and was a finalist for the State Teacher of the Year.

Issues
Kruger and Voegeli are of one mind on major Democatic Party platformissues. On abortion, Kruger has supported women’s rights to reproductive freedom. Likewise,Voegeli pledges “always to protect abortion access.” Kruger and Voegeli both claim to be pro-worker. Specifically they favor livable wages, worker rights and economic prosperity. Voegeli’s bonafides are rooted in his membership in the Winona teachers’ collective bargaining unit. He has support from AFL-CIO and several labor groups. Both Kruger and Voegeli favor clean water and environment-friendly policies. On abusive Big Business practices, Voegeli is feisty, promising to “stand up to billionaires, corporations and extremist who want to destroy unions and pro-worker policy.” Both Kruger and Voegeli favor fuller state funding of education and controlling college tuition.

Endorsements / acclamations

Since beginning their candidacies Kruger and Voegeli have courted endorsements. Kruger had important early support from Gene Pelowski, who is retiring after1 19 terms in the Winona 26-A seat in the Legislature. Considering Pelowski’s long-time popularity and respect, his blessing was a coup for Kruger. Their endorsements:

Kruger

> IFO, labor union for college profs.

> National Climate Cabinet, an environmental advocacy.

> Planned Parenthood.

> Winona State University Student Democrats club.

> Arne Carlson, former governor.

> Cedric Fraizer, chair, House Judiciary Committee

>Keith Ellison, state attorney general.

> Gene Pewloski.

>Kaohly Vang Her, chair, House Pensions Commission.

Voegeli

> AFL-CIO, labor union.

> Boundary Waters Action Fund, lobbying group.

> Education Minnesota, a teacher organization.

> FairVote Minnesota, named a voting reform cjampion.

> Minnesota Association of Professional Employees, a labor union.

> Minnesota Nurses Association.

> Moms Demand Action, gun reform advocacy.

Campaigns

Voegeli hit the ground with large $1,100-month billboards. He locked up the five 42-foor by 12-foot signs available at the time in the Lamar agency’s Winona inventory. He added a sixth billboard in July. Voegel’s billboard message was a routine if not unimaginative. Kruger followed with large billboards as Lamar had them available. Her message too was routine, but a few weeks she followed with a 2.0 version with the clever line “Meet Me in the Middle.” The line underscored her claim to already knowing her way around St. Paul with both Democrats and Republicans. Kruger also created a slick video with her enthusiastically racing from one Winona landmark to underscore her advovacy on health, education, recreation and other issues.

11th-hour mailers. Within 10 days of the August 13 primary election, both flooded voters with mailers on shiny hard and expensive stock.

Kruger campaign snippets

“I earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in political science. I have since put my education into practice working in public relations to help implement the American Rescue Plan Act in rural counties and townships.”

“As a millennial and a woman, I bring a fresh perspective.”

“The future requires a stable democracy, a strong economy and a healthy society.”

“Our politics has become preoccupied with national partisan bickering over issues that distract us from solving real problems at home.”

“I will not be the politician of the status quo. We need changes in St. Paul now that will enable us to build the political partnerships that get things done. This goal will not come from electing people who represent the Good Ol’ Boy networks of the past or those who are only focused on national politics.

Voegeli campaign snippets

“I grew up on my family’s fourth-generation dairy farm, which went under during the farm crisis in the late 1970s. Growing up my family struggled at times. I know that people can work very hard and still fall behind at times.”

“I volunteer with groups that help with mental health, refugees, free community meals, homelessness and other issues. I enjoy working with churches, businesses, nonprofits and other groups.”

“In my 28 years of teaching I have worked with approximately 9,000 students and families.”

“Our country is being pulled apart because of fear, ignorance and social media. People develop groupthink because we live in informational silos. We need people who will work to help find common ground, mend fences and build bridges”

“Most people are tired of all the negative ads and the anger on social media. We need to tone down the political rhetoric.”

Population 85,000. District 26-A comprises all of Winona County except far western reaches. All of the state’s House districts have the same population. 26-A is bounded by Wisconsin and the Mississippi River; by District 20-B to the west, which is Olmsted County; by District 26-B to the south, which is Houston and Fillmore counties and part of Mower county; and by District 20-A to the north, which Wabasha County.