Wiger seeks

House 21B seat

DFL-endorsed candidate cites experience,

background as qualifications

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Mark Wiger, the DFL's endorsed candidate for the Minnesota House of Representatives from District 21B, believes his background in working with people with disabilities will increase awareness if he is elected this fall.

However, it won't be his primary focus because he feels budget cuts, transportation and education reform are of the greatest concern to constituents in Brown, Redwood and Watonwan counties.

The New Ulm Democrat served five years on the District 88 school board and will retire from the board because he can't run for two offices at the same time. With this background, he believes he can bring some knowledge to the table in dealing with issues involving education.

"I believe that in these challenging times we need a representative who has experience in dealing with making difficult budgetary decisions," Wiger said. As a school board member, he found that "four out of the last five budgets required cuts."

He believes that reform in education must come from within and from without through "prodding from the Legislature."

Wiger, 52, decided to take a run for the Legislature because "I have a lot of respect for (Rep.) James Clark, (R-New Ulm), and his predecessor, Barb Vickerman. It doesn't make me a Republican, but respect isn't always a common feeling that people have towards people who serve in political life. Clark and Vickerman were two examples of people who showed the best side of what it means to represent a district."

While Clark's family called him back to New Ulm, Wiger said, his daughter is a freshman in college in the Twin Cities so "my family is calling me to St. Paul."

Wiger and his wife, Brenda, own MBW Co. which provides supports for individuals with disabilities living in a half-dozen southern Minnesota communities.

"My priorities are our kids, our seniors and our working families," Wiger said. "It's important that as a state we maintain our strong tradition of providing quality education and looking out for hard-working Minnesotans."

Wiger believes his approach to political office is straight-forward.

"I will use my real-life experiences to bring a new perspective to the challenges we face. I look forward to taking on these issues and finding long-term solutions for our state."

Brad Finstad of New Ulm is the Republican party's endorsed candidate for District 21B.