Sen.

Thursday, April 04, 2002

Sen. Grace Schwab, R-Albert Lea, announced that she would seek another term in the Senate Tuesday.

&uot;The citizens of this district and myself have formed a strong partnership, and I am so proud of the progress we’ve made together. Now we need to not only protect that progress, but to continue moving forward,&uot; Schwab said.

A boundary designed by the Minnesota Supreme Court extended the boundary for District 27 to the west. Now it covers all of Freeborn and Mower counties, and the northwest part of Fillmore County.

&uot;I am really excited about our new district map. The courts did a fantastic job forming a regional community that has many common priorities and concerns. I am so grateful that they continued Austin and Albert Lea’s historic partnership,&uot; said Schwab. &uot;It just makes sense that this area would share one voice at the Capitol. And come November, I hope to earn the right to be that voice.&uot;

Schwab, a former Albert Lea school board member, was elected in 2000 for the first time, defeating DFL incumbent Pat Piper. In the Senate, she serves on the Crime Prevention, Education, K-12 Education Budget Division, Income and Sales Tax Budget Division, Taxes and Transportation committees.

&uot;Our kids and teachers deserve their fair share of school funding. Our families deserve safe rural roads. And our local workforce deserves someone who will help create quality jobs. We’ve still got a lot of work ahead of us, and I look forward to getting down to business,&uot; she said.

Former KAAL-TV anchor Terry Kelley has already filed a campaign committee, and has been preparing to run against Schwab. He will seek the DFL endorsement.