Republicans endorse Franson to run against Otremba

Talk about it

Republicans from Todd and Douglas counties convened in Browerville March 6 to endorse Mary Franson of Alexandria as their candidate for State House of Representatives in District 11B.

Delegates chose between Franson and Miltona resident Bert Pexsa.

On the first ballot they selected Franson as their candidate to oppose incumbent Representative Mary Ellen Otremba, DFL-Long Prairie, in this fall’s election.

“Conservatism is drawing a line in the sand. We are making a stand,” Franson told delegates before the vote. “It will be those candidates standing strong on fiscal conservative issues that will win this year.”

Franson went on to criticize Otremba for her votes to increase the gas tax and to override Governor Pawlenty’s veto of this year’s bonding bill.

“This isn’t the end of the line,” Franson said. “It is up to us to work every day from now until November to win this election and return Minnesota’s state government to fiscal sanity.”

House District 11B encompasses all of Todd County and the eastern portion of Douglas County.

Delegates to the endorsement convention were chosen at precinct caucuses earlier this year.

Convention rules required support of more than 60 percent of delegates before Franson secured the endorsement.

Following the convention, Franson announced that her campaign team would be headed by Scott Dutcher, an Alexandria attorney and the deputy chair of the Douglas County Republicans.

The campaign will also include Shane Marshall as finance chair.

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