Minnesota Lawyer
Rep. Gene Pelowski
An intra-party battle is shaping up for DFLers in state House District 31A in the southeastern corner of Minnesota.
Rep. Gene Pelowski, DFL-Winona, faces a challenge from Winona City Council member Debbie White, who is also a Democrat.
Pelowski, who is serving his 12th term, is the chairman of the State and Local Government Operations and Reform, Technology and Elections Committee.
White is serving the second year of a four-year City Council term. She was first elected to the council in 2004. She also serves on the board of directors of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities.
White’s challenge indicates that some DFLers are steamed that Pelowski voted against this year’s omnibus tax bill and against overriding a gubernatorial veto of the tax bill. In an interview with PIM in May, Pelowski said the $1 billion tax bill, which contained an income tax on the state’s wealthiest earners, was “fiction” and didn’t stand a chance of passing. The attempt to override Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s veto on May 17 failed 85-49. DFLers would needed all of their members and three Republicans to reach the 90 votes needed to override Pawlenty’s veto.
White said Pelowski’s views on the tax bill vote are part of what has spurred her to run.
“I’d like to say that type of attitude and perspective is not productive. He undercuts the DFL party in the Legislature,” said White, in an interview.
White said the new revenue that Pelowski voted against could have prevented cuts to programs like local government aid (LGA) to cities.
In a press release announcing her candidacy, White said, “We can no longer afford to ignore the needs of the people in our district-it is time for new leadership.”
Pelowski, in an interview this morning, rejected White’s contention that he hasn’t provided strong leadership for the district.
He noted that he helped secure $150 million in 2007 to address that year’s devastating floods in the region. He also noted he’s worked to get bonding money and general fund money for a one-of-a-kind composite engineering program for undergraduates at Winona State University. The program has helped spur tech firms in Winona, Pelowski said.
“This district has been fairly successful on legislative initiatives and that’s because we’ve worked together,” Pelowski told PIM.
District 31A is considered a safe seat for the DFL.
The political dynamics of an endorsement battle, however, remain to be seen.
One insider told PIM White has been encouraged to run by a Rochester-based labor union. White said she has received support from a range of people in her community, Democrats and unions.
On the Republican side, Pelowski’s 2008 Republican challenger, Rhett Zenke, reportedly has said that he will run again next year.
Pelowski, who teaches high school civics at Winona High School, said he won’t announce his re-election plans until next summer, noting that he has a practice of not announcing his electoral plans until after the end of the legislative session.
White, who has worked as a consultant doing business training, said she hasn’t decided if she will abide by the party’s endorsement.
Update: The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 5 on Wednesday, Dec. 16, announced its endorsing White.
