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Prepared and Paid for by Citizens to Elect Al Juhnke

NEWS RELEASE

State Representative Al Juhnke                                        

rep.al.juhnke@house.mn

281 State Office Building, St. Paul, MN 55155                        

651/296-6206

3951 Horizon Hills Circle, Willmar, MN 56201                         

320/235-4442

                                               

June 15th, 2006

DFL’ers from the area unanimously endorse three candidates in Senate District 13

BELGRADE — DFL delegates in Senate District 13 unanimously endorsed a slate of legislative candidates Wednesday in Belgrade, including two political veterans with nearly 40 years of combined legislative experience.

State Sen. Dean E. Johnson and Rep. Al Juhnke, both of Willmar, were given the party’s blessing to pursue their re-election bids.

Johnson has served in the Legislature for 28 years, representing Senate District 13; Juhnke has served for 10 years, from District 13B.

In the nominating speech for Johnson, Karna Peters of Glenwood, said it took all of Johnson’s 28 years of experience to “do great things for Minnesota” during this legislative session despite “so many partisan attacks by Republicans.”

Peters, who was elected chairwoman of Senate District 13, said the state has been “blessed” to have Johnson’s leadership and she encouraged the delegates to help get Johnson re-elected.

Johnson told the delegates the key challenge in 2007 is to return to the “basic and fundamental function of state government” of providing quality education.

He said he had a “pit in my stomach” when he read about cuts to the Willmar School District, a scenario that he said is being replicated in rural districts across the state.

Besides education, he identified transportation, reducing property taxes and renewable energy as the other “bread and butter issues” that need to be addressed.

He said he intends to run a “positive and proactive” campaign and is doing well in raising campaign funds that he said would be spent wisely.

Republicans endorsed Joe Gimse of Willmar for the Senate seat in District 13, which includes Kandiyohi, Pope and western Stearns counties. Gimse ran against Johnson in 2000, but was defeated.

Juhnke represents District 13B, wh-ich includes all of Kandiyohi County except seven northern townships.

Republican Bonnie Wilhelm, of Willmar, is making a second att-empt to defeat Juhnke. She lost to Juhnke in 2004.

In addressing the delegates, Juhnke identified five top issues: education, jobs, health care, transportation and the environment.

He said agriculture, with future growth in renewable energy, will provide the greatest promise of new “good paying” jobs in rural Minnesota.

He said he intends to target both ends of education, including a proposed freeze on college tuition. He also said he would support funding for all-day, everyday kindergarten, which will do “more for the brain power” of Minnesota than anything else.

Juhnke said he intends to maintain a “positive agenda” that brings the state together “and moves us forward.”

Shuck will face Rep. Bud Heidgerken, R-Freeport, in the race for District 13A, which includes Pope County, northern Kandiyohi County and western Stearns County.

This will be the third time Shuck has challenged Heidgerken for the House seat. Shuck lost to Heidgerken in 2002 and 2004.

In his nominating speech, Paul Brandt of Melrose, said Shuck is a “hard worker” and a “good family man” who will bring “good farm values” to the Legislature.

Shuck said he intends to “hit the ground running” with his campaign.

He said Heidgerken will be a “hard candidate to run against – he always is.”