In his visit to Albert Lea Wednesday, Republican U.

Thursday, February 14, 2002

In his visit to Albert Lea Wednesday, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Norm Coleman promised that he would bring the progress he had realized as mayor of St. Paul to rural Minnesota if he were elected.

The meeting at Christianson’s Supply Center on East Main Street was a part of his four-day kickoff campaign across the state. About 60 supporters gathered at the motorcycle outlet decorated with Coleman’s tricolor – red, white and blue – campaign placards.

&uot;I am very proud of what I did in St. Paul,&uot; said Coleman.

During his eight years as mayor, Coleman accomplished a notable economic recovery in the capital city, creating 18,000 jobs and over $3 billion in new development without increasing the property tax levy.

Coleman said he would expand the methods he had employed in St. Paul to statewide policy.

For rural Minnesota, Coleman pledged to reverse a downward economic spiral by creating quality jobs and facilitating an environment for farmers to sell more value-added products.

Coleman also emphasized his close relationship with President George W. Bush and said he would seek to establish the bi-partisan approval the president is currently enjoying.

&uot;What we need is to put party politics aside,&uot; said Coleman about his campaign strategy. &uot;Urban and rural, not urban or rural. Labor and management, not labor or management.&uot;

Coleman’s challenge to Democratic incumbent Paul Wellstone has been attracting national attention because it could tip control of the Senate, where Democrats hold a majority by one seat.