convention050208
On the homepage
Vikings
Out There
Pardon Board
Petters
Home | Politically Connected | Local Politics
May 1: DFLers to decide: Who has best chance of unseating Kline in Second District?
The candidate will face an established incumbent with an enormous fundraising advantage. Iraq war veteran Steve Sarvi is favored to win the party's nomination.
Print this story
E-mail this story
Save to del.icio.us
Share on Facebook
Share on Digg
Follow local news on TwitterMore from Local Politics
DFLers in the state's Second Congressional District will gather in Faribault on Saturday to pick a candidate to run against Republican Rep. John Kline, a man who has trounced them in the past three elections. But they say this time is different.
The favorite for the nomination is Steve Sarvi, an Iraq war veteran who served as Watertown mayor for three terms. Challenging him is Peter Idusogie, a first-generation American who also ran for the 2004 DFL nomination but lost to Teresa Daly.
Kline has taken the district by 16 percentage points in the past two elections and has an enormous fundraising advantage over both Sarvi and Idusogie. In 2002, Kline won by 11 percentage points.
"You always know when you go up against an incumbent that they've had time to raise money and have that name recognition," said Jeanne Thomas, the DFL Second District chairwoman. "We're hoping that enthusiasm and hard work is going to overcome that. ... Money is important, but it's not the only thing."
In the 2006 U.S. Senate race, Democrat Amy Klobuchar carried the district by 53.4 percent compared with Republican Rep. Mark Kennedy's 42.9 percent. And there are now more DFL state legislators than Republicans from the district.
According to documents filed with the Federal Election Commission, Kline has more than $500,000 in cash on hand saved for the race, while Sarvi only has $38,600. Idusogie hasn't raised enough money to file campaign finance reports.
And according to the Cook Political Report, which lists competitive congressional races nationwide, Kline's seat isn't considered vulnerable.
Kline's campaign officials declined to comment.
Focusing on foreign policy
Sarvi, 43, is a member of the National Guard and is the city administrator of Victoria, although his last day is May 9. He decided to run for Congress after returning from 16 months in Iraq last summer.
"Not only did the [Interstate 35W] bridge come down, but I saw the way things were transpiring in Iraq, and with foreign policy, health care and education. On all of those issues, I just didn't see them being adequately addressed," he said.
He thinks the United States should start withdrawing its troops from Iraq immediately, to show Iraqis that the United States is not interested in occupying their country. The United States needs to invest in the parts of the world that produce terrorists, he said, and help restore the country's moral authority abroad.
Idusogie, 44, is a naturalized American citizen who was born in London and grew up in Africa while his father worked for United Nations food programs. He moved to the United States as a teenager to attend Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, and has never left. He is a consultant with Owens Corning in Apple Valley.
He believes the Iraqi people should vote on whether U.S. troops should remain in the country, and that the United States should abide by their decision. That would help demonstrate that the United States does not have a hidden agenda in Iraq, he said, and it would allow democracy to decide the country's fate, instead of insurgent and terrorist groups.
Idusogie also ran for U.S. Senate in 2006 as an independent write-in candidate but garnered only 29 votes.
Feeling confident
Sarvi's campaign is feeling "supremely confident" about its delegate support at the convention, said Bridget Cusick, campaign spokeswoman. He has already submitted his resignation from his job as city administrator for Victoria, which he has held since 2000. And, according to his website, the campaign has already scheduled a "Post-Endorsement Party" for 3:30 pm. Saturday in Faribault.
Idusogie doesn't feel he should be so easily dismissed. He said Sarvi lacks the ability to connect with people that is necessary to win. "I'm absolutely convinced he cannot beat Kline," he said.
Cusick disagreed.
"Steve Sarvi actually has won three elections in a very conservative part of the district," she said, "and he can do it again."
Emily Johns • 952-882-9056
Recent Local Politics stories
Minnetonka's 'social host' law gets specific on parents - May 3, 2008
Minnetonka's 'social host' law gets specific on parents - Anti-drinking ordinance approved Monday clarifies expectations and gives steps to take. More
Current state office holders
Governor: Tim Pawlenty
One of only a few prominent Republicans to win a competitive re-election contest in the Democratic sweep of 2006, Tim Pawlenty is widely seen as politically shrewd and naturally likable.
- Lt. Governor: Carol Molnau
- Secretary of State: Mark Ritchie
- Attorney General: Lori Swanson
- State Auditor: Rebecca Otto
Minnesota's political giants: Learn more about the men and women who have shaped Minnesota's political history.
 Find Your Next HomeSearch realtor represented & for sale by owner homes in the Twin Cities. Plus, find open house listings. |
Win tickets to the Dec. 3 performance of "In The Heights" at Orpheum Theatre.Vita.mn presents the Dec. 3 performance of "In The Heights" at Orpheum Theatre, and is hosting the official cast after party at First Avenue's Ritmo Caliente. |
Comment on this story | Read all 3 comments | Hide reader comments