RUSHFORD, Minn. – A Rushford farmer, Dan Wilson, announced his candidacy for the state Senate from Winona, Houston and Fillmore counties. Barring a primary election from a fellowDemocrat, Wilson is destined to oppose state Senator Jeremy Miller, R-Winona, in November. It’s an underdog battle for Wilson, a political newcomer. A Democrat hasn’t won the District 26 seat since Sharon Erickson Ropes in 2008. Also: Miller is the highest ranking Republican official in state government. Wilson announced his candidacy to a crowd of 40 from the back of his beat-up pick-up truck in Winona. Wilson accused Miller of not pushing harder to return a $9 billion state revenue surplus to taxpayers, although that has specifically been a GOP position as opposed to Democrats preference to channel most of the surplus to state programs. “We need someone who knows how much our families and farmers need that $9 billion dollars, right now,” Wilson said. “We need someone who is ready to fight for the people of Senate District 26.”
Wilson. Promises to work for tax relief for farmers, others.
Verbatim
Wilson: “For the past 12 years, Jeremy Miller may have done a lot to further his political ambitions, but he certainly hasn’t accomplished much for farmers, for young families, or the rural and working class people of his district. The people in his district need the $9 billion dollar surplus now to help them cover the costs of inflation, of rising gas prices, and the skyrocketing health care costs. Instead, he has walked away from the negotiating table leaving his constituents out in the cold. We need to be able to invest money into our new farmers and into our existing farmers — and fight to do as much to make sure we are not losing farms anymore.”
Family and friends. After filing his candidacy papers, Wilson trekked to a grassy spot under the Interstate Bridge in Winna to launch his state Senate campaign. Supporters smiled and rooted for the photo-op. There too was Wilson’s rusty pickup truck that’s seen scores of years of farm duty near Rushford.