Members of every district and precinct in Austin turned out Tuesday night for the local Democrat and Farm Labor Party, Republican and Green party caucuses.

Wednesday, March 06, 2002

Members of every district and precinct in Austin turned out Tuesday night for the local Democrat and Farm Labor Party, Republican and Green party caucuses.

People came to discuss issues important to them, propose resolutions and show support for the four DFL party members competing for the State House of Representatives seat that Rob Leighton will vacate after November’s election and a seat in the State Senate.

On the Republican side, Austin High School teacher Jeff Anderson, who is seeking to replace the retiring Leighton and Sen. Grace Schwab, R-Albert Lea, spoke to caucus members at the Austin High School Cafeteria.

Terry Kelly, who is running for a State Senate seat told DFL party members he plans on "running a very aggressive campaigning by working and going door-to-door discussing kitchen table issues such as health care and education with voters."

Dick Chaffee explained he was running for a seat in the State House of Representatives because the rural communities in Minnesota want someone to who will be an advocate of public education, health care and economic development.

Len Miller, who also is running for a seat in the House, echoed Chaffee’s sentiments. "Our kids need a good education and we need affordable health care and I plan to fight for that and fight for the rights of those in outstate Minnesota," he told the audience.

At the Republican caucus, Anderson said his focus is on working class values.

"It’s my goal to work extremely hard in this campaign," he said. "With your help, I’m planning on working harder than before to take our message to St. Paul."