By Sam Wilmes

sam.wilmes@albertleatribune.com

ALBERT LEA — Three local Democratic candidates received their party’s endorsement Sunday in Albert Lea.

Gary Schindler, candidate for District 27A representative against incumbent Rep. Peggy Bennett, R-Albert Lea, received the DFL endorsement Sunday at Union Center, along with District 27 Sen. Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin, and District 27B Rep. Jeanne Poppe, DFL-Austin.

Sparks, 46, is seeking his fifth term.

First elected in 2002, the Austin native said he will run a good, clean campaign and added that he looks forward to representing his constituents.

He said election season gives him a chance for more one-on-one discussion with constituents at picnics, parades and other community functions.

Sparks touted his experience and passion for trying to make a difference in people’s lives as reasons why he should be re-elected.

He said he wants to continue to represent the district to ensure his son, Niklas, 4, and other children his age will have the same opportunities he has had.

He wants to ensure the state remains fiscally responsible and the Legislature invests wisely in early education, an issue he cites as a core component of workforce development. With his parents at retirement age, Sparks wants to see tax relief for seniors, such as a rollback on Social Security and pension taxes.

In this year’s legislative session, he wants to champion local bonding requests at the Legislature, such as the city of Albert Lea’s  $15 million request for the development of the Blazing Star Landing, Freeborn County’s $1.5 million for the development of the Bent Tree Trail, a $1.35 million request for connecting water and sewer lines to the Stables area, and $7.43 million for a Riverland Community College project, and added that he hopes to work together to create legislation that will benefit all Minnesotans.

Schindler, 59, expects to run a clean campaign against Bennett. Schindler, the dean of students at Riverland Community College, said he is excited to meet with south central Minnesotans, including individuals, city councilors and teachers, during his campaign to set his legislative priorities.

Schindler touted his experience in education and other areas as skills he brings to the table, and added that if elected, his top goals will be providing Minnesotans access to broadband, ensuring a steady funding source for pre-K through 12th grade and ensuring the affordability of a college education.

He said a comprehensive plan to ensure broadband Internet access is needed and noted that access to broadband can assist businesses, farmers and college students who need access. He called the need for increased broadband access “critically important.”

He wants to pass a comprehensive statewide transportation plan and said he thinks multiple funding outlets need to be looked at.

He said he is not convinced that an increase in the gas tax is the way to fund a transportation plan, and noted that he supports tax relief for farmers, small businesses and individuals.

Schindler said Riverland students have told him they want to stay in the area and said if he is elected he wants to ensure the continued quality of life for area residents.

Bennett said she welcomes Schindler into the race and expects them to have a good, civil debate about the issues.

She cited her experience gained during her first term and noted she enjoys getting out and meeting people.

She said her background in K-12 education and her placement on education and agriculture committees during her first term as representative has increased her experience.

Poppe, 58, a sixth-term representative, said she is pleased to have received the DFL endorsement, adding that this is the beginning of the campaign process. She said receiving the endorsement allows her to focus on the 2016 legislative session.

In the 2016 legislative session she plans to address LGA funding to make sure it is available for regional centers and small cities, pass a tax bill that provides property tax relief for farmers, agriculture land owners, families and small businesses and pass a bonding bill that includes dollars for local bonding projects.

She said long-term funding is needed for transportation.

She plans to promote local bonding projects:

• A $3 million request to acquire more land for the Ramsey Dam area and Ramsey Mill Pond in Austin near The Old Mill Restaurant. The project also would build two miles of trail, restore a railroad bridge, improve the dam and build public amenities to improve the area.

• A $600,000 request for the Fourth Avenue Northeast Dam area for flood-control retaining walls, restoring the old mill site for streambank restorations and to study dam conditions.

She also plans on touting the Cedar River Watershed District’s $4.2 million request to complete 25 water retention and water quality projects in the district.

If re-elected, she hopes to continue to represent her constituents and enhance the lives of Greater Minnesotans.

— The Austin Daily Herald contributed to this report.