Sherburne County has voted “Red” for many years.

 

It was even more Red on Tuesday, as four incumbent Republicans and a newcomer posted major wins in races for statehouse and congressional seats.

 

 Tom Emmer, Delano, easily won re-election to his seat as 6th District congressman. He received 65% of the votes cast to easily beat St. Paul union member, DFL contestant David Snyder, 217,453-115,386. That represents the total votes cast in the entire district, which ranges from St. Cloud in the north to Stillwater on the southeast.

 

Mary Kiffmeyer, Big Lake, has worn Secretary of State and Minnesota House hats during her career in St. Paul. She now can wear her Senate District 30 hat for another four years, after defeating Democrat challenger P.J. LaCroix by a 72-28% margin. Her total vote count was 30,483 to 11,979. Her senate district includes Big Lake, Elk River and Otsego.

 

Newcomer Republican Andrew Mathews of Milaca was elected on his first attempt at Senate District 15, representing the northern half of Sherburne and Wright counties, some of Benton and Mille Lacs counties.

 

He defeated Democrat Chilah Brown, Isle by a 71-29 margin. Vote totals were 28,372-11,671.

 

Mathews reported the messages from constituents were very clear. “The (Sherco) power plants . . and jobs, were huge issues,” he said. 

 

 

 

He also said an issue is “Government’s continuing over-reach into multiple areas” of life. 

 

“We need to be accountable in the legislature for our decisions.”

 

The job for Kiffmeyer and Mathews may have gotten a little easier with Tuesday’s election results. As of mid-week, the Republicans had climbed into a lead for control of the Senate - along with their continuing control of the House.

 

Rep. Nick Zerwas of Elk River easily won re-elction over his Democrat opponent, Sarah Hamlin by a 69-31% margin in District 30A, which includes Big Lake and Elk River. The vote total was 14,305-6,527.

 

And in District 15B, Rep. Jim Newberger, Republican from Becker, easily beat his first-time challenger, Karla Scapanski, Sauk Rapids, by a 69-31% margin. Vote total there was 14,949-6,732.

 

That legislative district includes the northern half of Sherburne and Wright counties.

 

The future for Sherco, MnSure health coverage, and a new energy policy from the state and nation are important issues for Newberger. Roads and bridge improvements, which are bonded for but held back from the previous session by Gov. Dayton, remain a priority to him.

 

He’s going to write a letter to Gov. Dayton, asking for a special session on the state issues.

 

And a final thought. “A lot of folks statewide are leaving. They’re leaving because it is too expensive to live in Minnesota,” he said. “The tax structure as it is.”