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Stumbo to challenge Nornes for District 10A seat
Stumbo runs Stumbeano’s Coffee out of The Market on Union
Published Friday, March 14, 2008
Photo by Jeff Hage
Greg Stmbo announces his bid for the District 10A seat in the Minnesota House Friday at Fergus Falls City Hall.
City council member Greg Stumbo announced Friday he will run for the Minnesota House seat now occupied by Bud Nornes.
Stumbo, a Democrat, runs Stumbeano’s Coffee out of The Market on Union and said his year on the city council prompted his decision to run for the House. Between committee meetings, trips to St. Paul and conversations with residents, the experience reinforced how much local government relies on lawmakers in St. Paul.
“The issues that affect the city are driven so much by what happens (at the capital),” he said. “When you look at the economy and work force issues, so much goes back to how much is funded at the state level.”
Education is often at the heart of economic and work force issues, Stumbo said, and it’s also the basis of the campaign. The state formula for funding school districts is outdated, he said, and doesn’t meet the needs of students and staff today.
Property tax relief, transportation and health care are also important issues, Stumbo said, and require solutions based on input from residents.
“It all has to come from the leaders at the capital who need to listen to the people here and not the party bosses,” he said.
A Moorhead native, Stumbo and his wife, Jennifer Harrington-Stumbo, moved to Fergus Falls from Madison, Wis., in 1997. He worked in insurance and later sales before opening his coffee roasting business in 2005. Stumbo is the chairman of the city’s public works committee and is on the board of the Otter Tail County Historical Society. Jennifer Harrington-Stumbo works in merchandising and marketing at The Market and is involved in the Otter Parent Teacher Organization, among other groups. The couple has four children: Olivia, Lilly, Ian and Caroline.
“Greg Stumbo has a great deal of integrity,” said Tim Litt, a member of Stumbo’s campaign committee who’s known the candidate since high school. “He’s very honest and straightforward in his opinions.”
And those opinions are based on more than a whim.
“He definitely is in touch with the issues in the community,” Litt said. “He really looks into the issues that come up and does a lot of research.”
Nornes said he received a call from Stumbo last week regarding the campaign.
“It’s nice to have a two-way conversation in a campaign and I look forward to meeting up with him between now and November,” Nornes said.
Stumbo and supporters will attend the county’s Democratic convention Saturday to reach out to local delegates. The Stumbo campaign plans to recruit volunteers for door-knocking and other activities this spring.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by Redcloud (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 2:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So is he a republican or democrat?
Posted by lenny (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 2:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well he is a bean counter so he’s probably a republican.
Posted by gumball (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 2:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hi ya Lenny,
I don't know. It says he is from Madison, WI which is a liberal/democrat hotbed. How come the reporter didn't find out that tidbit?
Posted by srobles (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 2:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Doesn't the article say "a democrat" ?
Posted by lenny (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I know he is a democrat, I was attempting a joke.
Posted by Mel (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 4:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
From Madison Wisconsin? O BOY!
On the other hand, maybe he excaped from there and,,,,,,
Posted by melindakay (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This sounds great. We really need some new legislators that will fix our school funding system. Schools should not be begging for money every year. It's not just Fergus; very reputable schools with A-1 bond ratings are also there begging. The system is broken and needs to be fixed.
Posted by lenny (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 7:58 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by doctipster (anonymous) on March 15, 2008 at 2:21 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by tanker8 (anonymous) on March 15, 2008 at 6:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
how's his coffee?
Posted by The_Riveter (anonymous) on March 15, 2008 at 11:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
His coffee is fantastic and I think he will make a WONDERFUL rep! Congratulations Mr. Stumbo, you have my support!
Posted by pilsnerurquel (anonymous) on March 15, 2008 at 9:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it's time for Nornes to retire, so Stumbo has my vote.
Posted by HoldenCaulfield (anonymous) on March 15, 2008 at 9:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i almost want to vote against mr. stumbo. i really dont want to see someone like him leave fergus falls city gov. mr. stumbo along with the other young ones on the council bring a needed breath of fresh air. dont get me wrong i think greg will be great in st. paul, but......
Posted by HoldenCaulfield (anonymous) on March 15, 2008 at 9:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
you may put a sign in my yard.
Posted by cheif (anonymous) on March 15, 2008 at 10:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think Mr. Stumbo will be a great representative of Fergus Falls in the Capital. Hopefully Stumbeano’s Coffee will survive if he wins. As far as upcoming city elections, I hope we get a younger aged people to run our City. We need the water park, we need things for our teenagers to do in town. Does anybody know who's running for Mayor this year?
-Cheif
Posted by LoisMustDie (anonymous) on March 16, 2008 at 3:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm a republican, but I don't like Nornes at all. I worked for him at KJJK years ago and don't trust him at his word.
Posted by OtterMom (anonymous) on March 16, 2008 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You go, Stumbo! You've got my vote!
Posted by tomsmom (anonymous) on March 16, 2008 at 2:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'll take a sign as well...
Posted by ginger_ale (anonymous) on March 17, 2008 at 5:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LoisMustDie:
I'm in exactly the opposite position. I'm a Democrat, and I have a tremendous respect for Bud. I think he is a very kind and generous person. He is actually the ONLY Republican I have ever voted for (I couldn't bring myself to vote for his challenger). That being said, this time around I will be voting for Mr. Stumbo.
Posted by Mel (anonymous) on March 17, 2008 at 9:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm for Nornes. He's a good man.
Posted by storm (anonymous) on March 17, 2008 at 12:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bud is doing a great job and we are proud to have him serving us. Keep up the good work!!!!
Posted by doctipster (anonymous) on March 17, 2008 at 8:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
obiously i hit a nerve with my post about mary jane westra for the dj to remove my post. or she herself got scared and didnt want people to know of her scam. with that being said probably couldnt get the ole journal to get the story straight so i guess id have to leak it to KSAX.
anyhow... go stumbo. you got my vote.
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