Rep. Marty Seifert's look on his days at the Capitol and prespective

Marty Seifert was speaking to Capitol Press Corps as Marty Owings of KFAI Radio and Capitol News looks on.

By Rach Eggert, Rach's Political Report

I sat down with Marty Seifert who was Minnesota House Minority Leader before he ran for Governor. He is retiring from Minnesota House of Representatives and recently lose endorsement to Tom Emmer at the Minnesota Republican State Convention.

RPR: What do you think will be the outcome of session tonight?

Seifert: Not much, and sitting around doing nothing.

RPR: What the bill do you believe that would be passed and how would you solve the budget if you were Governor?

Seifert: Not sure, unallotment ratified cuts Pawlenty recommended some shifts.

RPR: Do you think that the unallotment is legal or illegal and why?

Seifert: Legal- I agree with Justice Gileda’s dissent.

RPR: What you wish that you have done as your term is expiring as State Representative?

Seifert: More of my bills, the budget bill I outlined as Governor Candidate and all of the other stuff I outlined as Governor Candidate- welfare reform, etc.

RPR: What do you wish to recommend to new legislature next session?

Seifert: Budget balance and job growth are number one.

RPR: Do you think that the Republicans would regain control of the legislature and how have Obama administration affected the 2010 legislature?

Seifert: I think its possible. Obama is helping us big time and the enthustism is high among GOP now because of Obama.

RPR: What was best and worst part as your job when you was House Minority Leader?

Seifert: Worst part would be hiring & firing and picking resources for the candidates. The best part was meeting people and speaking to groups.

RPR: What will you miss the most about Capitol and being in the legislature?

Seifert: The People.

RPR: What advice you could give to your successor?

Seifert: Listen to constituents, serve them well, no matter what party, and vote conscience.

IT'S OFFICIAL: SIVARAJAH IS SEIFERT'S RUNNING MATE

By Rach Eggert, Rach's Political Report

State Representative Marty Seifert has chosen Rhonda Sivarajah
who is Anoka County Commissioner for 7 years as running mate. Seifert is first Governor candidate to officially announce who would candidate for Lt Governor.

It was surprising because many people thought that State Rep. Joyce Peppin would be top choice for the job but she was not selected.

Sivarajah is well known for her conservative point of view altough her job as County Commissioner for Anoka County District 6 is strictly nonpartisan.

You can read more about Ms. Sivarajah at her county website and Seifert-Sivarajah campaign website.

She is married to a police officer, have two children but her son is deaf and lives in Lino Lakes.

Seifert is top GOP pick for governor in straw poll

He won with 37 percent of the non-biding votes from party delegates and was followed by three others in a crowded field.

By RACHEL E. STASSEN-BERGER, Star Tribune

Last update: October 3, 2009


Minnesota Republicans were told Saturday that they are members of a brand-new party and that Rep. Marty Seifert is their early favorite to be the state's brand-new governor.

Seifert, of Marshall, who came into the race as a front-runner and has one of the most active campaigns, won 37 percent of the first-choice votes in a non-binding straw poll. Rep. Tom Emmer of Delano came in second, former state auditor Pat Anderson third and Sen. David Hann of Eden Prairie a close fourth.

The poll won't bind delegates in next year's endorsement fight, but it gave winners bragging rights and losers something to work on.

Several of the candidates who landed at the bottom said a low vote tally wouldn't sway them to leave the race. But it will make front-runners' lives a little easier.

Seifert said that donors and activists want to back a winner and that he has proved he can be that candidate. He said he's got a fundraising mailing almost all set to go out to 20,000 potential donors Tuesday -- and now he'll add in a prominent mention of his first-place straw-poll finish.

All the candidates had their chance to address the crowd at a forum Friday and in speeches Saturday. The list of contenders also includes environmentalist Leslie Davis, Rep. Paul Kohls of Victoria, Sen. Michael Jungbauer of East Bethel, Republican activist Phil Herwig and former state legislator Bill Haas. They were bested in the straw poll not just by Seifert, Emmer, Anderson and Hann, but also by votes for "none."

Delegates also heard from party officials about their party's new energy and new strategies to bring it back to power.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who appears to be gearing up for a 2012 race for president, is not running for a third term, and told GOP convention delegates it's time to pass the baton.

Pawlenty, who began by praising God, largely reprised the best lines from addresses he has given to Republicans across the country. He said the benefit of the "cash for clunkers" program is that "it's going to get many cars with Obama stickers off the road."

While the race for the 2010 governorship may not get thinner anytime soon, it may get fatter.

Former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman chatted up convention-goers for a few hours and has said he would make a decision on the race in the spring. And Rep. Laura Brod, R-New Prague, has held back from entering the race for health reasons, but says she may jump in when she gets the all-clear. State Commissioner of Labor and Industry Steve Sviggum had also been considering a run.

Brian Sullivan, a gubernatorial candidate in 2002, said that he doesn't plan to get into the race.

Each received at least one vote in the poll, even though their names were not on the ballot.

Rachel E. Stassen-Berger • 651-292-0164

GOP state Rep. Seifert campaigns for Minn. gov.

Source: KARE 11


FRIDLEY, Minn. -- State Rep. Marty Seifert, who steered House Republicans through three tumultuous legislative sessions, began his bid Tuesday to trade up to the Minnesota governor's office.

He set off on a four-day, 14-city tour of the state at a high-tech factory in this Twin Cities suburb. He said he wanted to drive home his planned emphasis on jobs.

"It's not just what you say. It's not just how you say it. But it's also where you say it: We need job opportunities in this great state. We need economic opportunities in this great state," Seifert said. "It will be my top priority."

At 37, Seifert is aiming to become the youngest Minnesota governor in 70 years and the first from outside the Twin Cities metropolitan area elected since 1986. He lives in Marshall, a city closer to the South Dakota border than it is to St. Paul.

The 2010 race is a clear tossup, made so by GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty's decision to bow out after two terms.

Standing with his family in the factory's parts warehouse, Seifert offered a sneak peak at his agenda. He said he would try to fuel job growth by easing permitting and licensing. He said he would attempt to hold down property taxes by requiring local governments to hold a referendum to increase spending above a certain level. He said he would change education by boosting the amount of time children are in the classroom.

Seifert ticked off the jobs he's held since his boyhood days on a southwestern Minnesota farm: picking vegetables, serving ice cream, delivering pizzas, teaching and legislating during seven statehouse terms. He relinquished his minority leader title last month in anticipation of the campaign.

"The values I grew up with have everything to do with my run for governor," Seifert said. "Frugality, humility, service to people and, most of all, common sense. It is missing from our government today. I intend to make sure that from top-to-bottom our government reflects those values and does not wish them away."

But getting this job won't be easy.

He first must gain the party's endorsement next June because he pledged to leave the race without it. There's the possibility of a GOP primary a few months later. And the general election could be a three-way battle -- against candidates from the Democratic and Independence parties -- if the past three contests are any clue.

In the last week, the Republican field has shifted.

State Sens. David Hann of Eden Prairie and Mike Jungbauer of East Bethel set campaigns for governor in motion. Rep. Tom Emmer, who for a time was Seifert's deputy, also threw his hat in the ring. Emmer, of Delano, is likely to appeal to the conservative wing of the party.

And former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman didn't rule out making another try at the governor's office as he conceded defeat to Democrat Al Franken in the Senate race. Coleman was the GOP nominee for governor in 1998, losing to ex-wrestler Jesse Ventura.

Former Rep. Bill Haas of Champlin and Rep. Paul Kohls of Victoria also entered the race last month, and other GOP politicians are considering campaigns.

Democrats have been maneuvering since last year, hoping to take back an office they haven't held in two decades.

Announced Democratic candidates are: former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton, state Sen. Tom Bakk of Cook, state Sen. John Marty of Roseville, state Rep. Paul Thissen of Minneapolis, former state Rep. Matt Entenza of St. Paul, Ramsey County attorney Susan Gaertner, former state Sen. Steve Kelley and painter Ole Savior.

The next governor will undoubtedly face another mammoth budget deficit, with projections ranging from $4 billion to $7 billion.

Seifert said he's undaunted by the challenge.

"I view the deficit as an opportunity," he said. "I don't view the deficit as something that is going to be punitive."

Update on Marty Seifert campaign website

By Rachel Eggert, Rach’s Political Report

June 16, 2009

Yesterday I leaked the story on preview of Marty Seifert for Governor website that they was going to launch today. Now the website is complete and they have putted more information on website so check it out at Marty Seifert for Governor website.

Sneak Peek of Marty Seifert for Gov website

By Rach Eggert, Rach's Political Report

Marty Seifert campaign plan to release website tomorrow but I have found out there are some outline of the website more like preview. You may check http://seifertforgovernor.com/index5.html for early peek before they complete the website.

You may want to copy and paste the link to the website.