WILLMAR - A political blogger based in Maynard has accused Republican challenger Tim Miller of falsely implying that he has discussed governing together with District 17 State Sen. Lyle Koenen, DFL-Clara City.
Sally Jo Sorensen, in her blog “Bluestem Prairie’’ posted on Oct. 29, points to statements by Miller recently published in the Kerkhoven Banner and the West Central Tribune’s online voter guide.
Miller, of Prinsburg, is challenging DFL incumbent Rep. Andrew Falk, of Murdock, for the District 17A House seat, which includes all of Swift and Chippewa counties, most of Renville County and a few townships in southern Kandiyohi County.
In the Kerkhoven Banner, Miller is quoted as stating:
“Lyle Koenen is our Senator regardless of this election. He’s going to be our Senator and he’s going to be in the majority. I’ve already talked to Lyle and said there are certain things that are important to our district and hopefully we agree going to work together for that and he agreed.”
The blog also quotes Miller’s response published in the West Central Tribune’s online voter guide. It asked the question: More often than not on major issues, Minnesota government becomes bogged down in partisan gridlock. What is your solution, or is that acceptable?
Miller responded:
“Andrew Falk has never...never worked in a bipartisan manner. I have spoken on multiple occasions with my State Senator Lyle Koenen. We have agreed to work together toward common sense solutions to challenges within our district.”
Reached by phone on Wednesday, Miller said there is no implication. He said he was referring to a direct conversation he had with Koenen when they encountered each other during a summer parade in Clara City.
Miller emphasized that the conversation was a casual one, and not an in-depth discussion. Miller said he told Koenen that if he (Miller) were elected to the House, he hoped that the two could work together on commonsense issues important to the district.
“I hope we can work in a bipartisan way and he agreed, nothing more complicated than that,’’ Miller said.
Contacted by phone as well, Koenen said he recalls Miller expressing the desire to meet with him to see if they could work together. Koenen said he agreed to do so, but emphasized that no such meeting has occurred.
Koenen said his concern is that the statements about working together could be misconstrued to suggest he is supporting Miller’s candidacy. Koenen said he is actively campaigning on behalf of fellow DFL’er Falk, and campaigning as well for Rep. Mary Sawatzky, DFL-Willmar, in District 17B. He authored a letter to the editor published in today’s edition of the Tribune voicing his support for the two.
