Rep. Mark Olson plans to seek re-election, says House Republican caucus vote was academic
Thursday, 13 December 2007
Rep. Mark Olson plans to seek re-election and portrayed the recent House Republican caucus vote to permanently suspend him as academic.
“There’s really no difference between that and what they’ve already done,’ said Olson, speaking Wednesday (Dec. 12).
Indeed, Olson depicts working independently at the Minnesota Legislature — an independence resulting from his being charged with domestic assault last November — as liberating.
“(It’s) very freeing and very beneficial to have my own staff. And I’ve enjoyed working under this situation,” said Olson.
... Olson feels at peace...
“So it’s been very freeing and it’s a more peaceable way of operating down here (at the Capitol),” said Olson. “So it’s been good,” he said.
Olson was temporarily suspended from the Republican House caucus after as his arrest for domestic assault.
Olson was eventually found guilty of one count of misdemeanor domestic assault with the intention to cause fear.
Last Thursday (Dec. 6) the caucus voted to permanently remove Olson, an eight-term Republican lawmaker from Big Lake.
House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, explained the vote was to clarify misunderstandings the public might have about Olson’s status with the caucus.
... But, Olson said the vote was unnecessary...
But Olson views the vote, beyond being unnecessary, as a means for the caucus to oppose his re-election.
Olson expects a number of Republican candidates to vie for the District 16B endorsement. “I think it will be healthy,” he said. “With the state (Republican) caucus involved, I think it will be unhealthy,” said Olson.
He is determined to run again for the House, explained Olson.
“ And I’m gearing up for it,” he said.
Olson believes he has support in the district.
“When I came out of jail, I had 53 contacts of support. I had five against,” said Olson. “What happened to my family was the most awful experience I’ve ever had,” he said. “It was tragic. It was wrong, and uncalled for,” said Olson.
Olson is considering appealing the court decision against him, but would not elaborate.
As for last Thursday’s caucus vote, he looks at it as an example of good coming out of bad, said Olson.
Seifert indicated Olson’s status with the caucus could be reexamined were he to be re-elected or if his conviction were overturned on appeal.
... has anyone added up what Rep. Mark Olson's legal problems have cost the taxpayers? Start with the arrest and his arraignment, then add the expense of rescheduling his trial every time he fired his lawyer. Now, he wants to appeal his misdemeanor conviction... how much is the appeal going to cost the taxpayers of Sherburne County and the State of MInnesota?
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