Thunder From Under
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ALEXANDRIA — Dr. Scott Jensen won “an overwhelming majority” in the Douglas County Republican caucus straw poll for governor Tuesday, Feb. 1, according to County Republican Senior Chairman Jim Nelson.
Statewide, Jensen also won, receiving 6,144 votes or 38% of the vote in the nonbinding poll among six GOP candidates.
“There was nobody near him, you know,” Nelson said.
Nelson estimates that 170 to 180 participants turned out for the event despite the poor weather conditions.
About 30% of them were first-time caucus attendees.
“Any time you get new people who are legal voters, it means we’re moving in the right direction…I really appreciated their spirit and their enthusiasm,” Nelson said. “We work together for the same cause.”
Thalen Zimmerman/Alexandria Echo Press
John Chlian said it was the second caucus he had attended in 50 years as a voter.
“It shows you how important it is,” added Chlian. “The border situation really bothers me a lot. We hear more and more about all the people crossing the border illegally.”
Robin Johnson of Alexandria echoed Chlian’s sentiments. She worries about people crossing the southern border illegally and the “lawlessness in the country”.
She said she was supportive of Jensen’s honesty and courage.
“He’s not afraid to stand up even when he and his family have been threatened,” Johnson said.
The event began at 7 p.m., with Nelson welcoming everyone and leading the crowd in the pledge of allegiance.
Pastor Mike Bartolomeo led the invocation. Before the prayer, he began with a quote from the second President of the United States, John Adams: “We have no government armed with power, capable of pursuing human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our Constitution was only made for moral reasons and religious people. It is quite inadequate for the government of any other.
After the invocation, Douglas County Republican Secretary Mark Anthony read letters from U.S. Representative Michelle Fischbach, State Representatives Paul Anderson, Jeff Backer and State Senator Torrey Westrom. And speeches were given by State Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen and Representative Mary Franson.
Each covered different issues of concern to the party, such as inflation, tax cuts, crime, civil liberties, voter integrity and abortion.
“Who’s Excited to Beat Tim Walz?” Franson said.
Franson then welcomed attendees as long as they were “legal voters”. This was in reference to the DFL’s state decision to allow illegal immigrants and felons who have not served their sentences to participate in precinct caucuses.
Anderson also referenced the DFL’s decision in his letter saying that Minnesota law states that only people who are or will be eligible to vote at the time of the state’s next general election can vote or be elected as as a delegate or officer in a constituency caucus.
Franson went on to say that mask mandates “didn’t work well for our civil liberties.” She then referred to a study by Johns Hopkins University, which she said said: ‘Lockdowns have had little or no public health impact, while they have imposed costs huge societal and economic benefits.”
Franson says the “virus” that must be fought is authoritarian government. “We cannot succeed without your involvement,” she concluded.
Thalen Zimmerman/Alexandria Echo Press
“If you haven’t noticed, there is a battle going on at the heart of the soul of America and the State of Minnesota. On the one hand, the Democrats, are ready and willing to abandon the principles that have made our country great, such as responsible taxation, constitutionally limited government, and a strong belief in individual freedoms such as freedom of health care,” Westrom said in his letter.
He encouraged Americans to fight against the failures of communism, socialism and authoritarian dictatorial government. “We need to stand for a fair and honest election and do everything we can to embrace common sense voter ID and provisional ballots here in Minnesota,” Westrom said.
Backer said the issues to be addressed are defending the Second Amendment, defending the rights of the unborn, and ensuring that “Governor Walz or any future governor cannot abuse the emergency powers of the state. in times of peace”.
Ingebrigtsen said in his final year as a state senator, he would stay tough on crime, help stop the Green New Deal from “seeping” into state government, and stand firm. on tax cuts.
In her letter, Fischbach said she would continue to fight Nancy Pelosi and the left’s “senseless” spending. “I encourage you to volunteer to be a delegate to your county’s convention. We need your help to be successful this November and keep District 7 red,” Fischbach said.
