Thursday, April 20, 2000

DFL incumbent Sen. Pat Piper of Austin has received the endorsement of her party for the upcoming election.

Candidate Tony Samudio of Albert Lea, who is running for the House of Representatives District 27A seat, also received the DFL endorsement. Samudio is challenging freshman incumbent Dan Dorman (R-Albert Lea) while Piper faces Republican challenger Grace Schwab of Albert Lea.

"We need a person like Tony in the House, because he cares about the things we care about," Piper said this week.

Also, incumbent Rep. Rob Leighton of District 27B, Austin, who is currently the House assistant minority leader, received the endorsement of his party.

DFL Senate District 27 Chairman Ted Hinnenkamp, said in a news release this week that more than 50 Democratic Farmer-Labor Party delegates from Freeborn and Mower counties met Sunday at the Union Center in Albert Lea.

The DFLers endorsed candidates for Senate District 27, Freeborn and Mower counties; House District 27A, Freeborn County; and House District 27B, Mower County. Convention chair was John Butler.

Endorsing speeches for Piper were made by Albert Lea Mayor Marv Wangen and Mower County DFL Chairwoman Donna Olson. Wangen emphasized the importance of Piper’s leadership, seniority and experience in the Senate. Piper has served in the Legislature since 1982, and is now in her fourth term as senator. Piper previously served two terms in the House.

Olson told those gathered that Piper is a "champion for children and seniors." Piper is chair of the Family and Early Childhood Education Budget Division Committee, and co-chairwoman of the Children, Families and Learning Committee.

Piper accepted the endorsement with enthusiastic applause from the delegates, Hinnenkamp said.

She called for investment in the environment, agriculture and school-age children of all levels.

The endorsement speech for Leighton was made by Donaldson Lawhead, who called Leighton one of the most articulate members of the House. Lawhead said Leighton is in a position to serve in the majority leadership of the House.

Leighton accepted the endorsement, saying he believes that Mower County education issues would fare better under a DFL majority in the House.

Endorsement speeches for newcomer Tony Samudio were made by school counselor Paul Moore and labor leader Dick Hagen. Moore told those gathered he believes Samudio is not intimidated by a tough fight, and added that Samudio is a working man who "understands the issues of working men and women who work hard for a living in Freeborn County."

Hagen’s remarks were related to Samudio’s evolution as an union leader, union office holder and DFL party activist. Hagen said Samudio will promote the people’s interest in all working family households of Freeborn County.

Samudio accepted the endorsement of his party, and said he is looking forward to the contest for the House seat as the underdog. Major issues Samudio said he will advocate for as a representative are education, the environment and livable wage jobs.

The delegates also elected party officers to serve two-year terms. Party officers elected by the delegates are: Ted Hinnenkamp, chairman; Charlene Blowers, associate chairwoman; Jill Weikum, secretary; Pat Chapek, treasurer; and Joan Anderson, affirmative action officer.

The party also elected five directors of the Senate District and two alternates to the state DFL Central Committee.