T.W. Budig ECM capitol reporter:
Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer will leave office in January, one of the victims of the Democratic wave that swept many Republicans from office.
But a chance for Kiffmeyer to step back into elective office might open soon.
Rep. Mark Olson, R-Big Lake, was recently arrested for domestic assault and though giving no indication that he would resign from the House, Olson’s political future is at best cloudy.
The House Republican caucus has indicated that an ethics complaint against Olson could come from within the caucus.
...That's a pretty big hint for Olson to resign... the head of the House Ethics Committee is Rep. Sondra Erickson, a fellow Republican from neighboring House District 16A...
House Speaker Steve Sviggum, R-Kenyon, stated that if Olson is found guilty of misdemeanor domestic assault charges, he personally would recommend Olson resign from office. Kiffmeyer, though reluctant to talk in specifics about the Olson situation, said she is seen as a possible replacement for Olson. “There’s been lots of folks calling and talking and wanting us to do that (consider running for the House) since I think the day it happened,” said Kiffmeyer, of Big Lake.
Olson was arrested on Nov. 12.
“I think we ought to be fair to Mark Olson and not jump the gun yet — I think it’s a matter of being fair and respectful,” said Kiffmeyer.
Yet Kiffmeyer indicated that if Olson is found guilty of domestic assault, as a practical political matter she doubts whether he could remain in office.
Beyond this, Olson’s family situation is more important than the politics, she opined.
A court appearance for Olson is scheduled for Dec. 12 at 8 a.m. in Sherburne County District Court in Elk River.
...The article goes on to talk about Kiffmeyer and her political future...
A Republican activist prior to running for the office, Kiffmeyer’s husband, Ralph, served in the Minnesota Legislature. “She’d be an automatic win, I think,” said House Minority Leader-elect Marty Seifert, R-Marshall. Seifert — who has not spoken to Kiffmeyer about a run for the House, he explained — said Kiffmeyer would bring to a House race universal name recognition, an ability to raise money, and a generally conservative political view.
Though smiling tightly when considering the necessity of running for office every two years instead of four, Kiffmeyer said campaigning gives her an opportunity to meet with the people. “I love doing that,” she said.
In terms of logistics, Kiffmeyer, who visited all 87 Minnesota counties in her failed re-election bid, sees running a House campaign as much simpler.
“A House district within 30 miles — that would be a piece of cake,” she said.
Olson, re-elected to an eighth-term last election in District 16B, won with 58 percent of the vote.
“That you’re standing at 2 a.m. in the morning having you’re wits about you is a major accomplishment,” said Kiffmeyer, explaining Election Day for her both politically and professionally was a big day.
Kiffmeyer explained her campaign polling had her with a double-digit lead prior to the Congressional House page scandal.
After the Foley scandal broke, her polling showed her lead halved, she said.
Additionally, Kiffmeyer argues that Minnesota voter turnout suggests people, Republicans, stayed home.
“Without (Congressman) Mark Foley, maybe I could have withstood that,” she said.
Her approach to public office is it’s about the work, not about her, said Kiffmeyer.
The article ends with a few comments from Rep. Mark Olson:
While refusing to answer “hypothetical” questions, Olson explained that he didn’t see why he should consider doing anything different in his political career at this point. People are innocent until proven guilty, he said.
There is a lot of misinformation out in the public about the situation, he said.
“I feel it grievous that my family has to go through this,” he said.
Olson said the media has insulted his family — knocking on the door of the family home, bothering his wife.
By the grace of God, he goes on day to day, Olson said.
Mark Olson sounds like he's in huge denial. For one, he didn't enter a plea when he was charged with domestic assault. If Olson's believes now that he is "innocent", shouldn't he change his plea to "not guilty"?
His concern for "his family" also sounds hollow considering he is the person that put them in this situation.
Also this week, Mark Olson's PRT pal Gary Dean Zimmermann announced the date that he will be sentenced for his bribery conviction in an e-mail to his supporters:
"A sentencing date has been set for 1:30 pm, Tuesday, December 19^th . This will take place on the 13^th Floor of the Mpls Federal Court House, the same building where the trial was held. I expect that I will have to report to a prison sometime around January 16^th . Any appeals will be filed at time of sentencing. Right now we have not made any decisions about what appeals may be made or on what grounds."
Full text of Zimmmermann's e-mail is at the Green Party Gone Bad Blog.
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