Steve Drazkowski campaigned on rural values in the recent special election in 28B, and so we're curious to find him listed as a special guest on the handbill promoting Minnesota House Representative Mark Olson's "Old-Fashioned Family Picnic."
Minnesotans may recall that Mark Olson was convicted in July of one domestic abuse complaint and sentenced in mid-August:
A Sherburne County judge on Thursday sentenced Olson, an eight-term Republican from Big Lake, on one count of domestic assault. A jury in July convicted Olson of causing his wife fear of bodily harm during an incident at their home.
Judge Alan Pendleton sentenced Olson to 90 days in jail, but stayed the sentence and put Olson on two years probation, fined him and required him to complete a 12-week group counseling program.
There was talk of the legislature taking action against Olson at the time of the sentencing, who was suspended from the GOP House caucus after his arrest:
House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, DFL-Minneapolis, and House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, have conferred about Olson's case, but no legislative action has taken place, said Andy Wittenborg, a spokesman for the DFL caucus.
According to Anderson Kelliher, a complaint signed by at least two members would have to be submitted to the House ethics committee before formal punishment could be considered.
"Members from both sides have said they're ready to bring a complaint, but none has been filed yet," Wittenborg said. Olson, who is serving his eighth term, was suspended from the Republican caucus after his arrest.
He is unlikely to be removed. At the time of his sentencing, the St. Cloud Times asked him to step down, as did a Republican blogger at he time of the conviction. His wife, who is divorcing him, discussed Olson's personal family values in Family dynamics prove destructive. Dump Mark Olson contrasts this year's guests with those Republicans who attended Olson's annual picnic last year. We're astonished that Draz is breaking with the consensus of the GOP Caucus in the House and appearing as Olson's special guest. Taxpayer League head former rep Phil Krinkie is a special quest as well.
Thanks to the archives at Dump Mark Olson and IDHA.
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