Finstad seeks 21B House seat

Agriculture, education, transportation are most important issues,

candidate says

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- When Rep. James Clark, R-New Ulm, decided to put family before public service, he urged a young aide to 2nd District Congressman Mark Kennedy to go for the legislative brass ring in his place.

"It came as a complete surprise when Jim told me he wasn't going to run again," Brad Finstad of New Ulm said. "It's just amazing. The timing was right. I know the district well, having worked with Mark on agricultural issues this past year and a half. It's perfect."

Finstad, 26, still works for the Republican congressman even though a redistricting geographical fluke places Kennedy in the Sixth District where he will seek re-election to Congress this fall. In fact, Kennedy will be in New Ulm next Monday for an hour-long "Meet-and-Greet" session supporting Finstad's candidacy for House District 21B, starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Kaiserhoff Restaurant.

"I've received a master's degree in political science in working with Mark," Finstad said. "I've never met a harder-working person; when you're with him, he's asking questions and discussing issues all day long."

Working for Kennedy, Finstad says he has the opportunity to talk with congressional lawmakers and has met the secretaries of agriculture and transportation.

"It gives me a broader perspective on the issues facing rural Minnesota," Finstad said.

In June, Finstad, who has Clark as his campaign chairman, received 73 percent of the delegate vote in a four-person race for Republican Party endorsement.

He thought that would give him clear-sailing toward the November general election. However, a fellow New Ulmite, Cory Schreyer, who ran a distant second for the endorsement, is challenging Finstad in the September primary.

Finstad isn't taking the challenge lightly; still, he finds the primary contest may be a blessing in disguise as it will give his campaign greater exposure going into the general election.

The Census-mandated redistricting, which made the House district more compact and now includes a portion of Watonwan County, has made the district a bigger Republican stronghold, Finstad said.

"No one said this would be easy," Finstad explained, "but I just plan to go out and listen to people. When I get into the Legislature, I want to listen to people and help bring people together.

The three most important issues facing the district involve agriculture, transportation and education, Finstad said.

"Agriculture is a huge part of this district, and we need to address issues facing our farmers," Finstad explained. "With transportation, we need to be sure we're getting a fair shake out here in rural Minnesota, and we need to continue to maintain excellence in order to keep education moving ahead in Minnesota."

Finstad said he's not a fan of Minnesota's Profile of Learning.

"Teachers tell me it detracts from their work. We need to allow them to do what they do best, teach our students."

Finstad was a 13-county director for the Minnesota Farm Bureau before becoming Kennedy's agriculture, veterans affairs and conservation advisor. He grew up on a family farm near Godahl.