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photo by Brie Cohen
House District 27A incumbent Robin Brown knocks on the doors of residents near Richway Drive on Friday for the second time during her campaign.
Robin Brown, 47, DFLer
Who will win House seat?
Published Saturday, October 25, 2008
With Election Day about a week away, House District 27A candidates Robin Brown and Erik Larsen are in a race for the finish line.
Brown, an incumbent DFLer and a teacher at Albert Lea High School, is promoting her experiences in office during her first term and her ability to serve the entire district, not just parts of it.
Larsen, a Republican and a field sales representative for the National Federation of Independent Business, is promoting economic growth and job development. House District 27A covers all of Freeborn County and six townships in Mower County.
The Tribune interviewed both candidates Friday to find out how their campaigns are going and what messages they’d like to get across to the voters during this last week on the trail.
The following is a recap of those interviews:
How has the campaign been going?
“Very good,” Brown said. “It’s been positive responses at the door.”
Photo by Brie Cohen
Rep. Robin Brown writes a note on her flyer about herself when nobody was at a home Friday while she was out door-knocking. Brown said she never pre-writes on the fliyers and avoids the "sorry I missed you" statement.
She said this campaign season she has gone through all the towns and townships in the district and is working on her second and third rounds in some places.
For her, door-knocking has become an art form.
She said she never walks through yards when she’s door-knocking, and she keeps a detailed log of where she’s gone, which includes on what day she went to certain houses and what the hot topic issues were for those residents there.
As she approaches the door to each house, she said, she analyzes the door handles to see how she can leave some literature behind of her campaign if no one is home.
For those who aren’t home, she writes a personalized message on them asking for their vote and leaves it at the door. She does not write any messages ahead of time because she wants them to be more personal, she said.
For her, Brown said, knocking on doors is a must-do in campaigning.
And it’s important to get out and knock on doors and meet people even when it’s not campaign season, she said.
Brown, who has an Austin mailing address but lives Moscow Township in Freeborn County, was elected to office in November of 2006. During the first part of the year, Brown teaches photography and art at Albert Lea High School and then takes an unpaid leave of absence during the legislative session in St. Paul.
How are you feeling going into the last week of the campaign?
“I’m feeling good,” she said. “You do everything you can in the appropriate season, and you hope for the best.”
She said she thinks she’s run a positive campaign. She also worked hard during the Legislative sessions for her constituents and has been active in meeting their needs, she said.
Photo by Brie Cohen
House District 27A incumbent Robin Brown walks away from a house after nobody answered the door and Brown left literature in their door handle Friday. Brown said she near walks in anyones yard.
“If doing all the right things is what will get you elected, we’ll see,” she said.
The top three things people say to her when she’s door knocking are, first, to tell her she’s done a good job, second, to tell her there still needs to be something done about health care, and, lastly, to tell her something needs to be done about the economy.
Brown said she also receives a lot of thank-yous for the smoking ban and the gas revenue increase.
What do you think are some of the biggest differences between you and your opponent?
“I really like to let him speak for himself,” Brown said.
Despite this, however, she pointed to the experience she’s already gained in office.
“I’ve already shown I’m willing to stand up for my party and vote for things,” she said. She’s willing to work across party lines, including with Gov. Tim Pawlenty.
She noted she thinks she has a more comprehensive viewpoint on economic development than Larsen, noting the importance of investing in education to educate the workforce, in roads and bridges to make sure people can get to work safely, and in health care to make sure employees can stay healthy.
She wanted to point out that she has been getting things done for southern Minnesota and pinpointed the funding received for the North Edgewater Park Landfill project and the passage of the transportation bill, to name a few major successes.
How would you summarize your campaign in one or to two phrases?
“Focused on the big issues. Positive. Emphasis on getting things done. Always available to constituents,” she said.
How can you reassure the voters that you will work to fulfill the promises you’ve been making during the campaign — that they’re not just things to say to get elected?
Photo by Brie Cohen
House District 27A incumbent Robin Brown counts the number of houses, 16, she visited Friday afternoon on her second round of door-knocking at housing near the Richway Drive area. Brown keeps track of every place she visits and said that she has been to every area in the district.
“I already have two years experience, and anybody can look at my record,” Brown said. “I always point back to, ‘Don’t listen to what I say, look at what I’ve done.’”
She said she’s been able to get legislation passed based on some of the conversations she’s had door-knocking or out getting to know people.
“It makes a difference,” she said.
She has also conducted two surveys — one during her first year in office and one in between her first and second year — to find out from constituents if their needs are being met and what their major concerns are.
In an interview in July when Brown announced her intent for another term, she noted some of her 2007 and 2008 accomplishments including, helping to secure $2.5 million in funding for the North Edgewater Park Landfill project, funding for Riverland Community College, $25 million in direct property tax relief to homeowners in the state and $10 million in new funding for roads and bridges over the next 10 years in Freeborn County, to name a few.
Serving on three different education committees, she pointed out, she helped to increase funding in a sustainable manner for special education students during her first year in office, and is currently helping to revamp the funding formula.
“What we’re trying to do is bring more fairness across the state and make funding more adequate,” Brown said in July. “We’re targeting dollars into priority areas.”
She said she’s proud of the work she’s been able to accomplish.
Some smaller parts in Mower County helped you to win the last election. Are you focusing on those areas again this time around?
Brown said she gets into that area a lot for soup and pie dinners and the such.
“I give them attention, but I give them the same kind of attention I give all the district, she aid. “I just think it’s really important to get around the district — the whole district.”
Looking back over her term in office, Brown said it has been much more fulfilling than she ever thought it would be.
“I was very happy to do some good work for the district,” she said.
Out in the community, Brown is known for her signature yellow blazer, which she says has served her well.
“It makes people smile, people love the color, it makes me easy to pick out in a crowd and it also lets people know when I’m in their neighborhood,” Brown said, in July. “I think that’s all good.”
Brown and her husband, Joe, have raised six adult children who live across the Midwest, including Jeb, 28, Nathaniel, 27, Bristen, 24, Crystal, 24, Earnest, 22, and Madison, 22.
Joe is the superintendent of Grand Meadow Schools.
Brown also raises horses.
Comments
Posted by wooduck46 (anonymous) on October 26, 2008 at 7:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Robins done a great job. Vote Robin Brown
Posted by MaBarker (anonymous) on October 26, 2008 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Robin's voting record represents her constituents. Not only that, she is always visible and available. After the pain of Republican economic disasters (fees, camoflauged taxes) we've endured, Democrats not only deserve your vote, YOU deserve relief. Look back throughout history, you will see that when Democrats are in power, our economy flourishes.
Posted by Truth (anonymous) on October 26, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
She has been a disgrace. I think it is funny that she is a teacher in a district that just passed a huge tax increase to fund the teacher retirement plan without the consent of the people. When she is serving does she still get paid from the school district? Does she benefit from the tax increase? To me she is a public employee already so isn't she double dipping? She is an example of what is wrong with state government.
MaBarker I looked at our history the Republicans were in contol of congress under Bill Clinton, in Minnesota we did great under Republican Governers and DFL controlled house so I think you would be better served with divided government not one party rule.
When we have had one party rule we have had huge problems, 1936 run away spending and over reaching government, 1964 we got huge entitlements, a war in Vietnam, and huge government, and we can't forget 2000 even though it was not a super majority we had a lot of Dems jumping on the band wagon to save their jobs. What did that get us a government that has spent like drunken sailors (which has given drunken sailors a bad name). We need to wake up and see that government is the problem not the solution.
I can not vote for Ms. Brown because she has not represented my values.
Posted by MaBarker (anonymous) on October 26, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dear Truth,
There are so many Untruths in your post, twisted logic, that I hate to dignify it. But to each his own.
Posted by NoDFL (anonymous) on October 26, 2008 at 11:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
MaBarker,
What untruths are you talking about? The republicans did contol congress when Bill Cliton was president and the econmy did grow. Are you say one person is more powerful that the group who contols the purse strings?
I think Truth makes a good point divided government is much better than one party rule. If not than we would have a lot more examples in history of one party rule in this country but we don't.
I hate the fact that my gas is 6 cents higher because she voted for that tax. Don't try and defend that taxes are good because we know it just takes money out of a hurting economy.
Vote Larson....
Posted by regulators (anonymous) on October 26, 2008 at noon (Suggest removal)
Good Luck Robin! Thank you for everything you've accomplished for our district and state. It'll take leaders like yourself to responsibly guide our state through the rough times ahead.
Posted by MaBarker (anonymous) on October 26, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ok. No. She doesn't get paid by the school district while serving. More Repuplican untruths.
The economy is beyond belief horrible now - due to Republican president & Republican controlled congress. (Thus your twisted logic)
Gas is 5 cents higher, not 6 (another untruth) and we hadn't had a raise in 20 years and our bridges our falling and people are dying. You whine about that, but seems like you're defending big oil company increases of how many cents per gallon and the record breaking profits - or at least that philosophy. THAT's hurting our economy. Not the 5 cents.
People are sick and tired of smear campaigns like you're doing.
Vote Robin Brown.
Posted by MaBarker (anonymous) on October 26, 2008 at 12:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"You whine about that" - meaning the 5 cent raise. The fact is, our roads are crumbling and people are dying and record profits are killing us - that's the truth.
Posted by NoDFL (anonymous) on October 26, 2008 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Correct me if I am wrong but the current congress is controlled by the Dems but as I look at Truth's post he included the Republican controlled congress and President Bush so the logic is correct. But I should not speak for Truth.
Next you say that the gas tax is to take back some of the profits the oil compaines are making. This my friend is a simplistic view of taxes and life. First the gas tax has nothing to do with the oil company they don't pay them. You and I do. Next the crumbing roads and bridges has nothing to do with the taxes we pay or do not pay. It has everything to do with politics. Any number of years the state could have bonded to fix and repair roads (Just like the city does) at very low set intrest rates however it was a better issue to use as an attack on the Gov. P.
Here is a good question for you. Who pays business taxes? Under your misguided logic you think the business does. Hate to burst your bubble it is you and I. We pay for it because the business just passes it on to us. Be it minnium wage, gas taxes, or regulations we the consumer pay. It is call there is no such thing as a free lunch.
Taxes remove resources from the market. There are any number of reasons for people dieing on the roads. (Speed, drinking and driving, young drivers or old drivers) Taxes won't stop that. I would say you would have less deaths on the road if we went back to teaching Drivers ed in school and let kids drive with parent only starting at 14. But the state again thinks it knows better than the parent.
I also notice that you fail to agree or disagree that the war on poverty waged by Johnson and sold using an assainated president image was a huge power grab and a redistribution of wealth. The only way he got this was because of the one party contol of the federal government .
I know you will never admit that you are wrong but please just understand you and I pay the taxes not business or the rich.
Lastly I think she gets a paid leave of absent and even if she dosen't she still gets her retirement paid by the school even when she is on that leave. Let's just make sure the facts are clear.
Vote Larson
Also why is it only smear when you question a Democrate but it is ok to attack Republicans? God Help America if we get one party rule.
Posted by Truth (anonymous) on October 26, 2008 at 1:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MaBaker,
There are no untruths in my post and I did point out Bush and the republicans. I notice that you are looking for someone to give you something for nothing. I would like to know if she gets paid when she is gone. I know most teachers get paid leave so I would think she is no different.
Also are you trying to tell me the school is not rasing property taxes to pay for her retirement. Did they lie to us on that issue as well? I don't remember getting to vote on this little increase.
Maybe it is you that has made untrue statements.
Posted by tengstrom (anonymous) on October 26, 2008 at 1:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let's clarify. I think some of you are getting Congress mixed up with the Minnesota Legislature. The Legislature is in St. Paul. Congress is in Washington, D.C. Robin and Erik are running for the Legislature, not Congress.
Posted by Truth (anonymous) on October 26, 2008 at 1:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And she voted to rasie taxes in Minnesota..... Time to go..
Posted by wooduck46 (anonymous) on October 26, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's sad that the Freeborn County GOP with their Goon Committee have to stoop so low that they attack the people who post. That's why it's always the same people who always post. They effectively stifle freedom of speech and people who oppose them are intimidated and belittled and are hesitant to post. That's just wrong.
That's what word on the street is.
Posted by observer (anonymous) on October 26, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Vote Larsen, time for a new voice (one that has southern MN in his interest) to be heard.
Posted by kona (anonymous) on October 26, 2008 at 5:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
vote larsen.
Posted by Tired (anonymous) on October 26, 2008 at 5:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Fact: Teachers do not get "paid leave". They only get paid when they actually work in their district. I know Jeff Anderson (R) a former legislator from Austin. He is a teacher and did not get paid when he had a leave to serve his office.
Fact: the only tax increase passed by the legislature was the gas tax. Both Democrats and Republican voted for it.
Fact: Oil company profits are at their highest level in history. 5 cents a gallon tax is fixing our roads. Gas has fallen more that a $1.50 a gallon since July. Where did that $1.50 a gallon go? Not to fix our roads!
Fact: The school board can, according to state law, increase its collectable levy to pay for expenses. They were elected to manage the budget of the school district. Don't like it? Run for office and see if you can change it.
Posted by Tired (anonymous) on October 26, 2008 at 5:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Fact: Minnesota ranks 48th out of the 50 states for state patrol coverage. Maybe if we had more troopers out on the highway we could curb the speeding, drinking and just plain bad driving. Goodness knows they could use the extra help. But, that would most likely raise taxes. " You get what you pay for".
Posted by hometownguy (anonymous) on October 26, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
NoDFL - You said "God help America if we get one party rule." If you really believe that, you might want to consider a different username.
Posted by Truth (anonymous) on October 26, 2008 at 6:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tired your facts as you call them are just your ideas on how things are. There are no facts in your statements. Read the contract a teacher can be given paid leave if so voted by the school board. So the question is vaild is she getting paid by the school and by the state?
Oil profits and roads have nothing to do with each other. MaBaker made that arguement not NoDFL. But oil company profits are not outrages when compaired to cost. The drug companys, the movie industry and a whole lot more make more when you put them all on the same level playing field. You just feel their increase in cost more and if you tax them you will feel it even more because it will be passed on to us. I bet you didn't even read the Star and Tribune story about how the state is worried because with the increase cost of gas people have been driving less all summer which has resulted in a shortage of revenue and a need to cut some road construction projects. Now the DFL is talking about rasing the tax again to make up the lost revenue. It is a screwed up mess. Just another example in how when government over steps the market will smack it down.
The state law that allowed the school board to do that should be changed and that is something that can be done by Ms. Brown but she won't because it affects her income and her retirement. The school board has used nothing but fear to drive it's tax and spend agenda. If money is the factor than our kids should be tops in the state but it isn't. What is worse is NONE of this increase goes to the kids NONE OF IT. So yea it is a screw job.
You can think what you want about state patrol coverage but as for me I don't think tax dollars should be used to pay guys to give seatbealt fines and speeding tickets. Cops should be protecting private property not wasting time generating revenue for the state. That goes for the city cops who are to busy giving parking tickets instead of stopping real crime.
Tired if we both don't get what we want the city, the state and the U.S. will be better off. Because it will mean the system worked.
VOTE LARSON
Posted by Tired (anonymous) on October 26, 2008 at 9:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There are certainly facts in my statements. These are not just my ideas. Why don't you call a school board member and ask if she gets paid for her leave? You do have a right to know. Most school districts as a policy do not pay for leaves. It is rare if they do pay. Why don't you ask Rep. Brown about changing the levy law? You are a citizen. Call her. Tell her your views. So, which had greater effect on driving habits? A 5 cent tax increase per gallon or the $1.50 increase that the oil markets imposed on us? I'm waiting for your twisted Republican view on this one. Police shouldn't be writing tickets for seatbelts and speeding? Think what I want about state patrol coverage? These numbers are not made up. FACT: Speeding IS the number one cause of fatal accidents on our roads. Fact: Seatbelts save lives. According to you all taxes must be bad, the school board has a tax and spend agenda, Brown has a tax and spend agenda, Obama has a tax and spend agenda. Good grief.
Posted by NoDFL (anonymous) on October 26, 2008 at 10:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Tired the school board can not release her personal file unless she agrees to it. They can only talk in general. How many school districts have you worked in or for? Most allow for paid leave. Ms. Brown has the power to clear it up she can make a public statement. It is not wrong to question if she gets paid by the tax payers of the school district and by the tax payers of Minnesota. You can rage all you want but she can clear it up.
Now I would have to agree with Truth that taxing people even a small amount is a bad idea. You can have a different stance that is what is great about democracy. However life was much better when the state patrol was there to stop real crime not seatbelts. Where you get tired of tax and spend I get tired of we are doing this to save lives. No where in the constitution does it say it is the job of governemnt to make sure you don't hurt yourself.
I'm a big boy/girl I don't need you to make laws to protect me from myself. But hey if you like being the victim keep giving up your rights.
Ms. Brown here is your chance defend yourself on taxes and if you get paid.
One last thing tired how much does it cost the school to hire a sub for her? It would be a long term one so not just pay but benefits as well. What about the kids not easy for them to have a sub for that long.
One last point obama is not just a tax and spend liberal he is a take it all socialist.
Posted by lovelylady (anonymous) on October 26, 2008 at 10:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Robin Brown Rocks!
For those of you complaining about taxes, I recommend you get a grip on reality. I would much rather pay taxes and live in a secure society where the children are having their basic needs met, than in a society where we don't pay enough in taxes and our children are freezing and eating cruddy food because we are too poor to take care of them properly. The reality is no matter who is in what office, taxes are going to go up. Brown has proved that she knows how to use our tax money to take care of us right.
Posted by tamilynne (anonymous) on October 27, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To quote the article: " During the first part of the year, Brown teaches photography and art at Albert Lea High School and then takes an unpaid leave of absence during the legislative session in St. Paul."
ALHS's classes are taken a semester at a time; therefor she more than likely doesn't have any classes for the second semester when she is gone. Meaning she wouldn't have a "sub", or be on the pay roll anyways.
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