Campaign News

Highway Improvements, Health Care Top 21B Priority List-
Skillings, Torkelson Vie For Empty Seat, Brian Ojanpa
Free Press Staff Writer, October 26.

Torkelson in 21B, The Journal, Editor Kevin Sweeney, October 23.
Over the past several years the New Ulm area has been fortunate to be represented in the Legislature by strong, talented and active legislators. Rep. Brad Finstad, who decided not to run again this year after three terms, had risen in recognition and respect among his colleagues and was, we felt, poised to assume stronger leadership roles.
Before him James Clark had served six years and was also on the bring of assuming more leadership duties in the House when he decided not to run.
We think District 21B can send another candidate with similar potential to the House if we elect Paul Torkelson, the Republican candidate.
We had a difficult time deciding between Torkelson and Bob Skillings, the DFL candidate who is making his second run after challenging Finstad two year ago. Skillings has the intelligence and the work ethic to make a good legislator, and his positions on issues are moderate. We know he has the ability to work with disparate groups, after his work on building support for the city sales tax.
But Torkelson is also a strong candidate. He is a working farmer and would be one of the few in the House, with a special understanding of one of our state's most vital industries. He also understands the problems of small business. He has been a vice president for the Minnesota Farm Bureau, who put together Farm Bureau issues from resolutions sent from throughout the state, so he knows how to listen to different groups.
Torkelson is a former educatior whose wife is a teacher, so he understands the needs of education, especially in rural Minnesota.
He understands the need to invest in our state's infrastructure to keep Greater Minnesota economically vital.
Like Skillings, he is a strong pro-life supporter.
Torkelson has shown throughout the campaign his willingness to travel throughout the district to hear local concerns.
He has tackled leadership positions in his community and through the Minnesota Agriculture and Rural Leadership program. We think he would quickly become a strong leader for rural Minnesota in the Legislature, and ask District 21B voters to support him on Nov. 4.

Torkelson Meet and Greet, October 28th, 11:30 am-1:00pm, at the Larkspur Market in downtown New Ulm. Paul has been hard at work campaigning throughout the District. Please join him for this opportunity to discuss the issues.

Candidates Bring Ideas to Forum, St. James Plaindealer, By Mark Anderson,
Staff Writer, Published: Wednesday, October 22, 2008.
School, city, county, and state election candidates were on stage at Armstrong School on Monday for a candidate forum.
The state representatives debate showed differences between Democratic and Republican candidates.
Asked about education, Democrat Dale Hansen advocated that the state take over all school funding, taking the burden off local property taxes. His opponent for District 24A, Republican Bob Gunther, said Minnesota schools are doing very well at the lower levels, but not as well at the senior high level. He pointed out that urban schools are funded at a higher level than rural schools.
Democrat Robert Skillings pointed to implementing the Minnesota Miracle in phases, starting with education to provide equal opportunity for all schools. Republican candidate for District 21B Paul Torkelson said testing is being overdone, and also pointed out that increased funding doesn't necessarily result in better education. Instead he said good curriculum and good teachers make for better education.
The candidates also split along party lines when asked about the amendment for wildlife, water and arts. Skillings said he was in favor to permanently fund water and wildlife, so they remain the best in Minnesota. Torkelson said he has been on the clean water council, and is in favor of clean water, but implementing a sales tax was not the way to fund it.

Torkelson Thanks Sleepy Eye Supporters, October 16, By FRITZ BUSCH Journal Staff Writer
SLEEPY EYE -House District 21B Republican candidate Paul Torkelson thanked a couple dozen Sleepy Eye area residents for their support Wednesday noon at the newly reopened Orchid Inn.
A rural St. James farmer, Torkelson said he is nearing his fund-raising goal.
He thanked his campaign volunteers for knocking on doors with him in Sleepy Eye during the past few days.
Torkelson said he has fond memories of playing drums years ago at the Orchid Inn for polka bands including Clem Brau and the Jolly Lumberjacks.
"It's great you guys stuck out your necks and opened this place back up," Torkelson said, referring to the recent re-opening of the Orchid Inn after it was bought by several Sleepy Eye business people.
In seeking the Republican endorsement as a candidate for 21B, Torkelson battled three other candidates last May. He won after 10 rounds of balloting.
House District 21B includes Brown County and parts of Redwood and Watonwan counties.
A former Minnesota Farm Bureau president, past St. James Health Services chairman and a member of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's Clean Water Action Council, Torkelson decided to run for office after incumbent Brad Finstad of Comfrey announced earlier this year he would not seek his fourth term.

Monday, October 20, Paul Torkelson participated in a Candidate Forum at
St. James Armstrong High School Auditorium. This Forum will also be rebroadcast on St. James Cable Channel 8 on October 28 at 7 pm. and on Radio Station 101.5 on October 29 at 7 pm.

Monday, October 13, the League of Women Voters of New Ulm sponsored
Paul Torkelson and his opponent for a candidate forum. The two
House District 21B candidates answered questions from the public.

Thursday, October 9, Paul Torkelson took part in a Candidate Forum at Madelia High School Auditorium along with his opponent for House District 21B and local school board, city council and county commissioner candidates. The Forum will be rebroadcast on Cable Channel 14 on October 16, 23, and 30th at 7 pm. It will also air on Radio Station 101.5 on October 22nd at 7 pm.

Hot Topics Chamber of Commerce Breakfast on Friday, September 12
featured Paul Torkelson as one of the keynote speakers, as well as
his Democratic opponent for MN House District 21B. The event
was held at the New Ulm Country Club.

Open House Fundraiser was held
at the Farm August 12 with special guests
Lt. Governor Carol Molnau,
Candidate for Congress Brian Davis and
MN House Minority Leader Marty Seifert
Hosted by: Neal Breitbarth, Myron & Sherry Johnson,
Mark & Kimberly Johnson, Klarice Rinne

GOP candidate Torkelson files for 21B
By KURT NESBITT Journal Staff Writer POSTED: July 10, 2008

ST. JAMES - Minnesota Farm Bureau Vice President Paul Torkelson will on the ballot this fall, running as the Republican Party candidate for state House District 21B.
Torkelson, who lives at 71664 320th St. in LaSalle, has never run for public office before.
District 21B incumbent Brad Finstad, a Comfrey Republican, announced earlier this year he will not seek re-election in order to spend more time with his family.
Torkelson will likely run against Democrat Bob Skillings of New Ulm, who won the DFL's official endorsement for the House 21B race.
Torkelson is a corn, soybean and pork producer in Watonwan County. He served on Gov. Tim Pawlenty's Clean Water Council.
He is the former chairman of the board of St. James Health Services.
Torkelson won the Brown County Republican endorsement over three other candidates - Greg Bartz of Sleepy Eye, Dean Simonsen of Sleepy Eye and Ruthie Hendryks of Hanska.

Paul Torkelson

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