Two 'rogues' meet again on the campaign trail

Rep. Jim Abeler, seeking reelection, said he's never been "more popular or less popular at the same time."

Rep. Kathy Tingelstad, seeking employment instead of reelection, said, "I don't hear so much of the negative stuff anymore."

More than three months since joining four other rogue Republican House members in voting to override Gov. Tim Pawlenty's veto of a $6.6 million tax-raising transportation bill, Anoka County's Abeler and Tingelstad are reminded almost daily of the vote that may define their careers.

Abeler, an Anoka chiropractor, isn't sure whether he'll emerge as the endorsed candidate Saturday at his district convention as he seeks a sixth term. But it's not for lack of recognition.

"At a Memorial Day ceremony, four or five people came up to me and said, 'I want to thank you for your courage,'" Abeler said this week.

"A lot of my caucus was angry at me, and still are," Abeler said.

"But in general, people in my district have been quite supportive, thanking me for standing up for my convictions, telling me I've restored their faith in government."

He said it was "painful" to be shunned by political colleagues who were once friends. He was reminded that even at the lowest level, politicians live in a fish bowl. And he never wanted notoriety to interfere with topics he'd prefer discussing -- such as health care, education, transportation and supporting small businesses.

"I think my children thought it was interesting to see their dad on TV," he said. "I became a talking point at their schools."

Now there is yet another voice talking about Abeler -- Tingelstad's.

"It would be really difficult not to go door-knocking during campaign season," she said. "So I'm helping Jim Abeler in his campaign."

Tingelstad, of Andover, was removed as the ranking minority member of the House Capital Investment Committee two days after voting to override Pawlenty's veto. Of the six Republicans to override the governor's veto, Tingelstad was criticized most heavily, Abeler said. (The other Republicans in question are Rod Hamilton, Mountain Lake; Bud Heidgerken, Freeport; Neil Peterson, Bloomington, and Ron Erhardt, Edina.)

"My husband, Merle, is relieved, knowing I'll have more time at home," she said. "My kids ... they like it to some extent."

She is not abandoning politics and says the prospect of eventually running for the state Senate intrigues her. She's also awaiting possibilities in the state's executive branch -- particularly if Sen. John McCain is elected president and chooses Pawlenty for a Cabinet position or as his running mate.

While she has abandoned plans to run as a national delegate, she knows she's respected in St. Paul.

She says seven legislators have told her, "Thanks for voting that way. Because you did, I didn't have to."