Since Nov. 8's realization that Dean Johnson had lost, there have been numerous letters to the editor regarding this event and its impact on Willmar and Kandiyohi County. A West Central Tribune editorial on Nov. 10 says that "the political reality is that (Gimse), Willmar, and Kandiyohi County are facing a long political winter." While it is true that Johnson was in a position of power in St Paul, the only reality is that Gimse is our new state Senator elect. Only time will tell about the rest.
The Republican Party believes that free enterprise, individual initiative and personal responsibility as well as limited government can solve a lot of our problems. We should not look to St. Paul as the solution to every problem. Excessive regulation and well intentioned entitlement programs often create as many problems as they solve.
I'm sure that Gimse will work hard for the district and will be willing to join with Al Juhnke to work together for solutions that affect Willmar and Kandiyohi County where that is possible.
The undertone of the editorial and letters imply that we should have made no effort to define Johnson's position on the issues, and perhaps it would have been best for the area if we had not even fielded a candidate. That is not how democracy works.
There were outside influences in this election and Big Money came into the district from both sides. Johnson's position was well represented by his own avalanche of outside money. The "Is so, Is not" nature of the argument over whether Johnson was 100 percent pro-life or not can be discovered easily on your own. Before you call someone a liar, nasty, or other adjectives, go to www.vote-smart.org and you can see for yourself what Johnson's ratings were from NARAL and MCCL. The "Only True and Moral Christians" were joined by such noted "radicals" as Bud Grant and Outdoor editors Ron Schara and Dennis Anderson who were disappointed in Johnson's actions regarding conservation issues. By the way, I voted for Johnson in every election except the last two.
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Roland A. Nissen
Co-Chair, Kandiyohi County Republicans
Willmar
