Rice County Republicans

The governor appointed Sen. Tom Neuville (R-SD25-Northfield) to the District Court in Faribault. He also called a special election for Thursday January 3, 2008 in SD25. This covers the northern half of Rice County and Helena, Cedar Lake and Belle Plaine townships and Belle Plaine city in Scott County in HD25B while LeSueur and part of Sibley Counties comprise the 25A portion of the district (represented by Rep. Laura Brod-New Prague).

Senator Neuville has served since 1990 and shared the leadership with Sen Dick Day (Owatonna) until the last election when Sen. Dave Senjem of Rochester became minority leader of the Senate. This is a new beginning for the judiciary of the 3rd Judicial District of Minnesota with the elevation of the distinguished legislative author (he sole-authored the recently enacted statute on Family Law and he co-authored with Rep Laura Brod the Republican legislative alternative on health care which stands at the alternative to the pending DFL alternative).

The Republican Party of Minnesota recently organized party units in all ten judicial districts in Minnesota so as to be able to endorse judicial candidates for the first time in 80 years, as the result of a U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing judicial candidates to seek endorsement and speak on political issues. The 3rd Judicial organizing convention was held Nov 15, 2007 in Chatfield. The new officers are Lewie Reiman, Jr (delta2039@yaho.com) chair, Don Evanson of Minnesota City, vice chair, Doug Jones (doug1mary@gmail.com) secretary and Patrick Boone (patboone@acegroup.cc) of Houston, treasurer.

Former representative Ray Cox will announce his nomination for SD25 at 11 AM Thursday Nov 29 at the Northfield public library.
The SD25 nominating convention will be Wednesday Dec 5th.

With the news that Ray Cox will not seek the fourth encounter with now Rep DFLer David Bly, February 5th 2008 precinct caucuses become the launch of the next Republican 25B candidate. Several viable candidates have already shown serious interest. A contested election providing Republicans a serious choice at precinct caucus time should attract large numbers.

Reserve Tuesday, Feb. 5 2005 on your calendars: select the next Republican State Rep. for 25B.