When the DFL-endorsed candidate running against Republican U.S. Rep. John Kline addressed the party at its annual convention in April, he offered a simple description of his employment situation.
"I'm a small-business man," said Burnsville native Dan Powers.
The reality is not so simple.
His campaign website calls him a "small business owner" and "contractor." Interviews with the campaign, however, show Powers' role in both areas has been limited in recent years.
The statements raise a broader question: How many details should candidates provide to explain the image they project to the public?
Campaign manager Mary Breitenstein said Powers last actively worked on a project as a contractor in 2006 -- while running a roofing and remodeling business. His other small business, which builds systems to heat swimming pools using passive solar energy, has never been contracted for a project, she said. Powers tried unsuccessfully to woo clients for that business in 2009.
He was employed in sales and as a production manager at Sela Roofing until December 2008, when he was laid off due to a slowdown.
His only income in 2009 was $28,000 in unemployment insurance, according to a financial disclosure report filed in Washington.
Powers said he stopped collecting unemployment in October 2009, soon before launching his bid for Congress.
Breitenstein argued that Powers was acting as a contractor for his solar heating company in 2009, but just didn't get any work.
"[The idea] was before its time, so he went out and talked to people, went to trade shows, spent money, but didn't make any money on it," Breitenstein said. "So to me, that would be a contractor trying to sell a product."
Records show Powers and his wife also declared personal bankruptcy in 1997, which Powers said was the result of a contractor not paying him for work he performed.
Primary race
Powers won the DFL endorsement in March over former state legislator Shelley Madore, who has since broken a vow to remain out of the race. Madore's decision, which left many party loyalists seething, means the Republican-leaning Second District, stretching south from the Twin Cities, will host a contested congressional primary on Aug. 10.
Madore's website says she is employed, although she lost her job as an online high school administrator several weeks ago and is not collecting unemployment, said campaign spokeswoman Carolyn Sampson.
Her campaign counted only $520 cash on hand as of July 1.
Powers' campaign, which has been heavily financed with loans from the candidate, had $32,000 available. Powers said he obtained a good portion of the money by borrowing from a certificate of deposit.
Whoever wins the primary will face an uphill battle to unseat Kline, who has repeatedly won the conservative district by large margins and has more than $500,000 in the bank.
Jeanne Thomas, DFL chair for the Second District, said local party leaders knew Powers was unemployed when they screened him in January. She noted he was laid off during a difficult time for the housing industry.
"He has tried, I know, numerous things," Thomas said. "And one of these days it's going to come back."
Several delegates interviewed said they were unaware Powers had collected unemployment, though many added they were more focused on his policy stances than his personal background during the endorsement process.
Small-business troubles
Powers said that while he was collecting unemployment in 2009 he did several dozen estimates for Sunlight Industries, his company that heats pools, but could not get any potential clients to sign on. He was also looking for regular employment elsewhere.
"It's a great idea, but it's a little before its time," Powers said.
He said he stopped collecting unemployment because of his bid for Congress.
"I decided that I can't legitimately collect unemployment if I'm running for office," Powers said. "It would have been kind of ridiculous, I think."
He is now running full time for Congress and relies on his wife's salary from her job at a management company for senior housing.
Eric Roper • 612-673-1732
