In Specialpalooza: two more DFL & IP candidates announce bids for Terry Morrow's seat, Bluestem noted that press reports included news that rural North Mankato pork producer and ag leader planned to throw his hat into the ring for the DFL endorsement for the House seat opened by Terry Morrow's resignation.
North Mankato educator and union leader Robin Courrier had entered the race in late December.
From the press relese Johnson sent today:
Johnson is a life long resident of Nicollet County who farms just outside of North Mankato. Johnson has been active in local DFL politics for many years.
Johnson is an active member of the Minnesota Pork Producers Assn having served in many leadership positions.
Karl and his wife Mary live in Belgrade Township. Johnson has identified two vitally important issues in District 19A: the continuation and completion of Highway 14 to New Ulm and property tax relief. Both of these issues are important for strong economic growth. Property tax relief will require finding a fair and balance solution to Minnesota’s continuing budgetary deficits.
An accompanying bio notes that Johnson was born in 1945 in Mankato and has lived his lived entire life in Nicollet County. A US Army Reserves veteran, Johnson started farming in 1967; he's farmed in partnership with his brother for the last 35 years.
He also has a business background, having spent nine years as the manager of Equity Supply in Mankato, a farm feed and supply store he and his brother partly owned.
Johnson spent nine years on the board of Frost Benco electric co-operative, serving one year as board chair, and was South Central College foundation board.
He served on the Nicollet County Pork Producers board, including two years as president, and the Minnesota Pork Producers board, with two years as president. He led the National Pork Producers Council for a year as National Presidents and served the council served in many capacities as well. He service on the board of US Meat Export Federation, chairing it for one year.
It's clear that the open seat is drawing a high standard of new candidates from both the DFL and Independence Party, with perennial candidate Allen Quist considering jumping in for the Republicans.
Of interest: three of the five potential candidates are farmers. While farmers may be rare in the state legislature these days, it's easy to find them flourishing on the productive acres of Nicollet County.
The governor has yet to set a date for a special election and so local party chairs haven't put out calls for endorsing conventions.
Photo: Karl Johnson, supplied photo.
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