I think it’s time to set the record straight about a few issues regarding the House District 27A race.

First of all, most of the letters opposing Peggy Bennett have been based on things that she actually said in a debate or wrote in her column. She did say she was not supportive of federal-tax-dollar-funded school breakfast programs, and she did write in her newspaper column that she opposed taxing Amazon sales even though it would help local businesses. You can look it up.

Secondly, letters opposing Rep. Shannon Savick claim repeatedly that she voted for the Senate Office Building. This absolutely is not true. She never voted on the bill because it never came to the House floor for a vote. Again, you can look it up.

Next, let’s be clear. Both political parties (and the organizations affiliated with them) are mailing out and running negative TV and radio ads against the other side’s candidate. Both parties. Many people have gotten attack ads against Shannon Savick in the mail. The other day I saw a TV ad attacking Shannon that was untrue, and it upset me, too. But here’s the thing. I don’t blame Peggy Bennett for the ad. She didn’t know (and in many cases legally can’t know) about the ad that outside groups run.

And the same is true of Rep. Shannon Savick. She also is not responsible for the ads being run. So let’s be truthful and fair about the mailings and ads that both parties are running.

And lastly, politics is a rough and tumble business. To represent this house district, one can’t have a thin skin. You’d never be able to get anything done in St. Paul. The reason that Rep. Shannon Savick got so much done (for education, seniors, emergency volunteers, women) is that she possesses just the right balance of concern for the citizens of our district and the strength and grit to get things done.

 

Mary Hinnenkamp

Albert Lea