At the last minute, a Republican challenger to Lake Crystal New Republican Caucus member and endorsed Republican candidate Jeremy Munson appeared before filing closed on Tuesday. The Mankato Free Press reported:
Also filing on Tuesday was Republican Yvonne Simon of Lake Crystal, challenging Munson — who remains a Republican but joined three other conservative House members in breaking from their GOP colleagues and forming the New Republican Caucus after the 2018 election. To be re-elected, Munson will need to beat Simon on Aug. 11 and then Leroy McClelland, DFL-South Bend, on Nov. 3.
Munson has represented District 23B since winning a special election in February of 2018 to replace longtime Republican Rep. Tony Cornish, who resigned in response to sexual harassment allegations. The district includes most of Blue Earth County other than Mankato and Eagle Lake, the lakes region of southwest Le Sueur County, western Waseca County and more than half of Watonwan County, including St. James and Madelia.
KTOE's Ashley Hanley reports in Simon Seeks Rep. Munson’s Seat:
On Tuesday, Yvonne Simon, co-owner of Crystal Collection Reindeer farm North of Lake Crystal, announced her candidacy for Minnesota House for House District 23B.
Simon has worked for the Minnesota Farm Bureau as the Area Program Director for an area that includes Blue Earth, Watonwan, and Le Sueur counties.
Simon is also a former teacher in the Madelia Public Schools. She and her husband have lived in Blue Earth County for more than 40 years.
“I am so excited to announce my candidacy to serve our district communities in the Minnesota Legislature,” said Simon. “Our communities face many challenges. We need a new set of eyes and talents to take those challenges on. I am a problem solver and, when I’m not helping to run our reindeer farming business, I want to work to help ensure that the needs of our local farmers, businesses and our community members are heard. I want to take my leadership skills to the Capitol to speak on behalf of our communities within the district. We need strong, locally focused leadership who will help our area recover from the COVID shutdowns” and other challenges facing us at this time.
Simon lives in Lake Crystal with her husband, Daryl, who serves on the Farmed Cervid Advisory Task Force for the Minnesota Board of Animal Health.
That should be a boost for Chronic Wasting Disease deniers, if there are any in the district.
But there's more to Simon's resume. In the April 2015 issue of River Valley Woman, Ruth Klossner reported in On the road with program director Yvonne Simon:
As an area program director for Minnesota Farm Bureau (MFB), Simon coordinates events and offers assistance to mem-bers in Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Faribault, Le Sueur, Martin, McLeod, Nicollet, Scott, Sibley, and Watonwan Counties. It’s a job she enjoys for the variety and because she meets and works with so many people at a variety of events.
After traveling the entire state in her three previous positions, settling in a smaller area in south central Minnesota is something Simon appreciates. Now in her third year with MFB, Yvonne previously worked for the Center for Rural Policy and Development, based in St. Peter, but traveled statewide. Prior to that, she covered the state for Senator Norm Coleman for a year, focusing on ag, energy, and environmental issues as a constituent policy liaison. And, before that, Yvonne worked the entire state in industry and field relations for the Minnesota Corn Growers for 16 years.
When she squeezed in a teaching gig in Madelia doesn't show up in the 2015 article and it's a wonder why she left this valuable experience off her resume in the state legislature bid.
The Associated Press reported about the reindeer farm in 2001's Reindeer can be raised for profit. The Mankato Free Press Jessica Bies had more in 2014's Click, click, click: Reindeer games aplenty at Lake Crystal farm:
. . . Though many assume raising reindeer is a hobby, Daryl Simon says the goal was always turning the farm into a money maker.
If that’s the case, the trio has definitely succeeded. Today they are one of the largest reindeer farms in the United States. During calving season, the herd reaches nearly 70, several of which are sold to other breeders, zoos and farms.
“Every year the herd just gets bigger and bigger,” Daryl Simon said. “Thirty years from now, we could have hundreds and hundreds.”
Herda laughs at that. But she says the business is indeed thriving. In addition to actually raising reindeer, Crystal Collection sells reindeer halters and knives with handles made out of reindeer antler.
(The antlers are shed by the reindeer every year, as part a natural, growing process.)
The farm is booked for so many live appearances each December, it often has to turn clients away. It’s also had to say ‘no’ to shows with Dolly Parton and the Budweiser Clydesdales. . . .
Munson responds
A source told us that the House district Republicans had "an uncontested endorsement a couple weeks ago," so we though it best to confirm that with Representative Munson. He replied via Twitter direct message:
Yvonne and her husband raise reindeer, and fall into Cervidae legislation. Their business is transporting reindeer for parades and events and would suffer if cervidae legislation aimed at whitetail deer farmers prevents transport of their animals, which have not been proven to carry CWD
I have fought for three sessions to limit scope for them. Fought for farmers against new regulations.
I spoke with them just two months ago when calling all delegates - no objections.
Later, he added:
But I fear this primary is more in response to me shining the light of transparency on lobbyists and special interest groups in St Paul than it is on my representation of the district.
Yvonne is a wonderful person and I enjoy working with her and Farm Bureau. My guess is that establishment folk are planting mistruths in her ear and have convinced her that spending 50- $100k of money dividing Republicans is better than focusing on winning back the House and keeping the Senate.
It's clear from the photo at the top of this post--from the Farm Bureau Flickr album 2019 Day on the Hill - March 13--that Munson and Simon have enjoyed cordial relations. Given the savvy of both candidates, this one bears watching.
The DFL contender
Whoever wins the Republican primary will face Leroy McClelland, DFL-South Bend, on November 3. The Mankato Free Press reported in late May South Bend supervisor to run for Munson's seat.
Not a lot of copy, but the news brief did include this file photo of Leroy McClelland, as South Bend Township Supervisor, testifying before the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Finance Committee in March about flooding issues in the township:
Photos: Above: Simon and Munson in Munson's office at the state capitol on March 13, 2019, via Minnesota Farm Bureau's Flickr account. Below: Leroy McClelland, the DFL contender, via The Land/Mankato Free Press.
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