Dayton turns his attention to helping DFL House candidates

Gov. Mark Dayton has been campaigning this week for Legislative candidates, a sign that he is comfortable enough about his own re-election prospects to begin to help Democrats keep control of the Minnesota House.

On Wednesday, Dayton shook hands with about 75 people at the Prairie Wind Coffee Shop in downtown Albert Lea, where he and House Speaker Paul Thissen of Minneapolis urged customers to send state Rep. Shannon Savick back to St. Paul.

If Republicans win control of the House, Dayton warned, Minnesota could be in for the kind of stalemated government that prevents Congress from acting.

"Once again, just look to Washington, where there's the kind of gridlock and deadlock," the governor said. "We have a chance to move ahead. We have a chance to continue the progress over the last two years, and that's what is at stake in this election."

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Minnesota House Democrats are hoping Dayton's standing in the polls is strong enough to help them keep control of several competitive house districts this year.

Republicans need to pick up seven seats to win control of the House. Savick, who is locked in a tight campaign against Republican Peggy Bennett, said she thinks her race could go either way and that Dayton's visit will help.

"The governor is very popular in the state of Minnesota," Savick said. "By having his support, it also helps me with my re-election."

Dayton's stepped up campaigning is the latest sign that state House races are suddenly the center of attention as Election Day nears.

In recent weeks, the liberal group Alliance for a Better Minnesota started spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on TV ads on behalf of Democrats running for the House. Republican-aligned groups are spending about the same amount on behalf of Republicans. The spending is targeted at seats in Albert Lea, Brainerd, Willmar, Burnsville, Maplewood and Shoreview.

Thissen said he is reminding voters that without a DFL-controlled House, Dayton would not have been able to fund statewide initiatives such as all-day kindergarten or local economic development projects, including dredging Fountain Lake in Albert Lea.

"I think it's really making the connection with voters that accomplishments of Governor Dayton over the last two years were only done hand-in-hand with the DFL Legislature," he said. "And if they want to continue the progress, that connection needs to be made in voter's minds."

Republicans view Dayton's visit to Albert Lea differently. They say it shows Democrats are nervous about holding on to their majority.

Bennett questions why Dayton only got around to visiting Albert Lea as Election Day nears.

"It's campaign season and I'm thinking politicians should be coming more often to Albert Lea, not just campaign season," she said.

Bennett also criticized Dayton and Democrats for raising taxes. Even though Minnesota and Freeborn County have a low unemployment rate, Bennett worries the local economy will be unable to compete with neighboring Iowa.

"The Democrats did some good things, but I look at them adding $2.1 billion in extra taxes that they spent on who knows what — some of it good and some of it not so good," she said. "I'm just thinking that we need to stay more competitive so we can bring good paying jobs into our area."

Bennett said she wants to cut workers compensation taxes and cut spending for projects like the Senate Office building and public transit.

Bennett, a first-grade public school teacher, wouldn't commit to trying to roll back Dayton's income tax hike on top earners. She said she would champion education and long-term care if elected.

Dayton's Republican opponent, Jeff Johnson, said campaigning for House candidates is nothing new for him. He said he's been doing it for a year — even holding fundraisers for a few of them.

"I can help them by maybe bringing some different people into an event," Johnson said. "They can also help me because they know the district and the community and probably can introduce me to some new people as well. I think it's just an effective way to campaign."