Brown County GOP has new chair

By CHRIS VETTER

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Gerald Woodley wants to increase voter turnout and create more informed voters. He also wants to help Republicans win local and statewide offices.

Woodley, 53, was named Brown County Republican Chairman this week. He begins work on the two-year position immediately. He replaces Paul Muske, who held the job for more than a decade.

Although Woodley strongly supports his party's platform, it was not that long ago he had a different allegiance.

"In 1998, I was at the Democrat caucus," Woodley said, a grin crawling across his face. "Although, I was not as involved then like I am now."

Woodley considers himself to be fiscally and socially conservative, and switched to the Republican Party a few years later. Woodley said a lot of thought went into the party switch. He also realized he could summarize and explain Republican views better because he had spent so much time mulling over the decision to leave the Democrat Party.

He hopes his ability to pitch Republican views will translate into success for the party.

"It's an opportunity to put your beliefs into action," Woodley said of his new position.

Rep. James Clark (R-New Ulm) spoke highly of Woodley's efforts.

"He's worked incredibly hard for Republican candidates, not just locally but statewide and nationally," Clark said. "He's a very hard worker and will carry on a long tradition of excellent Brown County chairmen."

Woodley said his first goal is to increase fund-raising programs in the county. Donation requests will be sent to GOP members within a week.

The 2000 election was a success locally for Republicans, Woodley contends.

"There was 83 percent voter turnout in Brown County," he said. "That was fantastic. Every Republican on the state or federal ballot, except one, won Brown County."

As successful as Woodley considers the 2000 election, he said there is still room for the party to improve.

"I want to maintain that strong voter turnout and increase the number of Republican voters," he said.

Republican legislators have handily won area contests for several years. Woodley wants voters to not only help local Republican candidates win, but also support statewide candidates.

"We need to make up for what we don't get in Minneapolis and St. Paul," he said.

The local party should not become complacent and assume local seats will remain Republican-held posts, Woodley said, especially with re-districting coming before the Legislature this year.

"It can happen," he said of a possible upset. "You can't sit back."

Woodley worked on several local campaigns and speaks regularly with locally-elected state legislators. He plans to increase the party's presence locally with booths at the county fair, more lawn signs and fund-raising. He wants voters to know the issues and meet party supporters.

"There are over 10,000 households in Brown County. We need to inform people at their doors, through literature drops and phone calls," he said. His goal is to reach more of those homes than in past years.

Woodley moved to New Ulm from Sanborn earlier this year. He served as Redwood County Republican Chairman (the same position he now holds in Brown County) and was an alternate delegate at the 2000 Republican Convention in Philadelphia.

"My highlight was meeting George W. Bush at the airport, and shaking his hand, when he flew into Philadelphia," Woodley recalls.

Woodley was a teacher at Red Rock Central for 29 years before retiring. He decided to move to New Ulm because he is diabetic and wanted closer access to medical services.

"I was door-knocking with Rep. Clark last fall and I saw a house for sale with a beautiful view," Woodley said. "One thing led to another, and I bought it."