MADISON -- Calling himself a "very moderate Republican" who was a "big fan" of DFL Gov. Rudy Perpich, Mike Bredeck has filed for election for the House 20A seat.
The position will be open because Rep. Aaron Peterson, DFL-Appleton, has said he does not plant to file for re-election.
Andrew Falk, DFL-Murdock, has also filed for the seat.
This will be the second time around for Bredeck, who ran against Peterson two years ago.
Bredeck said he's dusted the "cobwebs" off his campaign signs and has begun campaigning in the western Minnesota district.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I'm hitting the road already. It's a big district."
He said he's "very optimistic" about his chances for winning this year.
Bredeck identified education, health care and local government aid as key legislative issues.
As a longtime resident of the Lac qui Parle valley area, Bredeck said he's concerned that rural Minnesotans aren't getting their "fair share" of returns on the tax dollars they send to St. Paul.
In light of the current economy, high gas prices and medical insurance that is "out of control," Bredeck said family finances are being squeezed.
"Our economic situation has put an enormous load on the backs of the hardest working families, the last thing they need is higher taxes and more regulation for projects they don't benefit from," Bredeck said.
He said, for example, he's concerned that western Minnesota residents will suffer from paying higher gas taxes without reaping equal benefits for roads and bridges.
"We need to speak up for this area," Bredeck said. "Families are being burdened."
ADVERTISEMENT
He said he wants to help the state government find solutions to "live within its means," while at the same time maintaining vital programs that affect people's lives.
A teacher for nearly 38 years in the Madison and later Lac qui Parle Valley districts, who now works for a life insurance and annuity firm, Bredeck said when he first moved to the district he caucused with Democrats, but "the party left us."
Bredeck said he is cut from the same cloth as Rep. Bud Heidgerken, R-Freeport, who solidified his maverick political tendencies by voting with Democrats this spring to override Gov. Tim Pawlenty's gas tax veto.
"If you know Buddy, you know me," said Bredeck, who promised that he would not simply vote on the party line.
If elected, he said, "I will represent the constituents of District 20A."
District 20A is comprised of Big Stone, Lac qui Parle Lincoln and Swift counties and part of Yellow Medicine County.
