David Hoium, sought-after GOP campaign strategist

David Hoium, a veteran Republican Party campaign strategist, died of cancer Thursday in St. Cloud.

He was 62.

A former journalist, Hoium was much sought after for his astute skills in communications, serving as a press aide for some of the top GOP figures in Minnesota.

In 1990, he was a press aide to Jon Grunseth, whose run for governor collapsed amid allegations of sexual indiscretions. On Oct. 28, 1990, Grunseth, who won the Independent-Republican nomination in the primary, withdrew from the race, while denying any wrongdoing.

Independent-Republican Arne Carlson took Grunseth's place on the ballot and defeated Gov. Rudy Perpich.

Hoium and Leon Oistad of Shorewood, Grunseth's campaign manager, wrote a book about the implosion of the Grunseth campaign, "There is No November."

Oistad said his friend and political colleague had "a great mind" and was an outstanding writer. As chairman of the state GOP in 1984, he had hired Hoium to serve as the communications director for the party.

Hoium was a popular athlete who lettered in wrestling and football at Harding High School in St. Paul, graduating in 1965. He enjoyed intellectual pursuits and the company of other writers while a student at the University of Minnesota. Studying journalism, he was a Minnesota Daily reporter, said his brother Bob of Falcon Heights.

He also became a Young Republican after his interest in politics was ignited by the Barry Goldwater campaign of 1964, said his brother.

"He was good brother, generous with his family and friends," said Bob. "His conversations kept you engrossed."

After graduating from the university with a degree in political science and journalism, he worked for the St. Louis Park Sun Sailor newspaper, and then for a few years at the St. Cloud Times. His interest in politics led him to work for Grunseth in a failed bid for Congress in the mid-1970s.

He also served as aide to Robert Ashbach, the Minnesota Senate minority leader.

Former state auditor Pat Anderson, who was a business partner with Hoium, recalled his generous help when she entered politics.

"He always supported and helped folks who were up-and-comers," said Anderson, noting he once was her speech-writer.

Chuck Slocum, a former state GOP chairman said, "He was a guy who could write, and a guy who could think strategically."

"He was a real partisan, and he could really mix it up," said Slocum.

In recent years, Hoium worked for Elam Baer, who owns telecommunications companies and is a veteran GOP political operative.