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Home | Politically Connected | National Politics | U.S. House
Tinklenberg enters DFL race for Bachmann's seat
The former state transportation commissioner said the I-35W bridge collapse changed his mind about the race and inspired him to run again for his party's nod.
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Saying Sixth District U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann has "built her career around divisive issues and a partisan approach," former state Transportation Commissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg launched his second bid for the seat on Monday.
He said his decision was wholly prompted by the collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge on Aug. 1: "I knew at that moment I couldn't sit by and allow this inattentiveness to continue."
But Tinklenberg's decision to run comes five months after he said he wouldn't be a candidate in 2008, a reversal immediately seized on by Republicans.
In a prepared statement, GOP Chairman Ron Carey called Tinklenberg "just another politician who cannot be trusted."
Tinklenberg shrugged off the criticism.
Although Bachmann handily won her freshman term over child safety advocate Patty Wetterling in 2006, Tinklenberg said he believes Bachmann's vulnerable because he offers more "competence and experience" and that district residents "are frustrated by partisanship and the polarizing inertia in Congress."I don't think it's a red district," he said.
Tinklenberg, a former United Methodist minister who also served as mayor of Blaine, entered a field as the highest-profile DFLer to date.
Banker and tax attorney Bob Olson and Bob Hill, a property tax attorney, already have entered the race. On Sunday, Olson announced the backing of 18 DFL activists in the district.
Tinklenberg declined to pledge that he would abide by the DFL endorsement, calling the race for the party's nomination "wide open."I'll work hard to win the endorsement," he said.
In his 2006 run for the seat, Tinklenberg lost the endorsement to Wetterling.
On social issues that could become flashpoints during the campaign because of Bachmann's high-profile opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion, Tinklenberg chose his words carefully.
"It's not my mission in life to eliminate Roe [vs. Wade]," he said. "As a pro-life person, my mission is to reduce the number of abortions."
Without using the word "marriage," Tinklenberg said he is "absolutely committed to equal rights" and that he supports civil unions.
Bob von Sternberg • 612-673-7184
Bob Von Sternberg • vonste@startribune.com
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