Liebl endorsed by Independence Party for 17B seat

WILLMAR -- The Independence Party of Minnesota has given its official endorsement to Zack Liebl to run for the Minnesota House of Representatives in the new House District 17B.

Liebl, of Atwater, will be hosting a campaign kick-off in honor of this endorsement at 6 p.m. on April 24 at the Willmar Public Library

In a news release, Liebl said he and the Independence Party of Minnesota believe in a "strong democratic process with integrity, a society that embraces diversity and protects everyone's rights, government policies which encourage and expect personal responsibility, an educated citizenry, the rights and liberties guaranteed under the U.S. and Minnesota constitutions are upheld, a society that believes in being good stewards to our environment, and a government that is limited and fiscally responsible. "

Liebl will face Rep. Bruce Vogel, R-Willmar, in the November election, as well as a DFL candidate -- either Mary Sawatzky or Jessica Rohloff. Sawatzky is the endorsed candidate, but Rohloff may challenge her in a primary election.

Liebl moved to the area in 1995, is a home-school high school graduate and obtained an associate degree from Ridgewater College and graduated from St. John's University in 2010 with a degree in political science. He is currently a lieutenant in the Minnesota Army National Guard.

District 17B covers most of Kandiyohi County, including Willmar.

-- Carolyn Lange