Who will take her on?

Pioneer Press Thu, 24 Apr 2008 22:26:16 -0600
6th Congressional District / Candidates each claim strong DFL backing

Heading into Saturday's 6th District DFL convention, Elwyn Tinklenberg likes his chances of getting the party endorsement to run for Congress. But Bob Olson likes his as well. After months of campaigning, the two candidates will soon find out which of them will face Republican U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann in the November general election. The district, which runs from the St. Croix River through the northern suburbs and past St. Cloud, is widely considered to lean Republican. But both Democrats hope to change that, and they offer contrasting approaches to taking on the first-term incumbent. Tinklenberg is a former state transportation commissioner who jumped into the race last fall, prompted in part, he said, by the Aug. 1 collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis. He said that the nation's roads, bridges and public infrastructure need attention and that he's got the right credentials to address them. Citing endorsements from key political leaders and unions, an experienced campaign staff and successful past political campaigns, Tinklenberg said he's positioned to run a strong campaign. "I know what it takes to build the kind of coalitions you need to be effective and to be successful,'' he said. Olson, a St. Cloud banker, sees things a bit differently, pointing to his background as a tax lawyer, a bank owner and an advocate of sustainable energy. "One of the most critical things we can do for the economy and national security and the environment is to break our dependence on foreign oil,'' said Olson, who advocates a 10-year program of tax incentives and loan guarantees to shift to a cleaner national energy foundation. As for Tinklenberg, Olson said, "He knows sand and gravel better than I do.''

[[keywords: Elections;]]