Frederickson

to run again

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

Shock waves radiating from the special court panel's redistricting plan were felt in Brown and Nicollet counties, particularly in regard to changes in congressional districts.

Suddenly, New Ulm, Brown and Nicollet counties became a part of a reconfigured First District represented by four-term Republican Congressman Gil Gutknecht.

Second District Congressman Mark Kennedy, also a Republican, was left to decide whether to go up against veteran DFL Congressman Bill Luther in a reconfigured Sixth District where he now lives or move his residence about the length of a football field to the new Second District which has no incumbent.

Meanwhile, Aaron Peterson of Montevideo, a political newcomer who planned to run as a DFL candidate against Kennedy in a differently configured Second District, suddenly found himself in the Seventh District represented by DFL Congressman Collin Peterson.

"I don't think anyone expected a major change like this," a nonplussed Aaron Peterson said. "I guess you can say that at this point I'm considering my options."

If Gutknecht had any concerns about getting re-elected this fall, the court's change of his district's boundaries should erase them.

"We're running the numbers now, and actually the new district is more Republican than the old district was," said Bryan Anderson, Gutknecht's campaign manager. "In addition, we picked up some great agricultural areas."

Anderson doesn't see a problem as far as Gutknecht getting acquainted with the new territory, particularly Brown County.

"Honestly, his first reaction when he saw the map was with a name like Gutknecht, he felt he'd have a lot in common with the folks in New Ulm and Brown County," Anderson said.

The changes mandated by the court panel in legislative districts creates two area contests of incumbents.

Sen. Dennis Frederickson, R-New Ulm, who moves from District 23 to District 21 covering Brown, Redwood, Lyon and part of Watonwan counties, would be pitted against incumbent Sen. Arlene Lesewski, R-Marshall.

In the new District 23A, Rep. Howard Swenson, R-Nicollet, would face Rep. Ruth Johnson, DFL-St. Peter.

"I'm definitely going to run," Frederickson said. "I think it is a very good Senate district. It is compact, it generally goes along county lines, including all of Brown, Redwood and Lyon counties. All three are heavily agricultural, and all three have major cities that have a nice base of industry. It is a good district with many common interests, and I look forward to representing it if the voters decide to send me back to the Senate."

Frederickson said he has discussed the redistricting plan with Lesewski, and she will be making her own decision on her political future.

Rep. James Clark, R-New Ulm, who is now in District 21B, is the only incumbent in the new House district which covers Brown, southeastern Redwood and northern Watonwan counties.