Mike Benson

Plainview Golf Tourney and Parade

admin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:27:31 +0000

Great fun and great success in Plainview with a Golf Tourney. Many thanks to Frank and Julene Horstman and Kevin Olson. Parade at Corn on the Cob Days was lots of fun. We had at least 40 walkers with us! It is so much appreciated! We had many wonderful comments from the wonderful people of Plainview and other communities.

Viola Parade 2010

admin — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 14:09:58 +0000

Had a great time at our first parade, Viola Gopher Count! We had over 15 volunteers to walk with us and hand out stickers. Mike door-knocked all of Viola before the parade. Voter reception for the message of limited government, reduced spending, and lower taxes was outstanding! Stay tuned for news on other events. Watch the calendar and join us! We’d like 40 people with us at the Rochesterfest parade. Can you be there?

Supporter Help Needed for June Parades

admin — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 20:55:48 +0000

I need your help to march with us in the parades scheduled in June. Show up and have fun with friends, meet new people, pass out “Benson for Representative” stickers and support the effort to elect new leadership for Minnesota. (Get a free t-shirt!)

June Parades:

Thursday, June 17, 9:00 a.m. – Viola Gopher Count Parade, Viola MN
Saturday, June 19, 4:00 p.m. – High Forest Township Old Settlers Days Parade, High Forest Township
Sunday, June 20, noon – Elgin Cheese Days Parade, Elgin MN
Friday, June 25, 6:00 p.m. – Rochester Fest Parade, Downtown Rochester

Thanks, Mike

Second Amendment Support

admin — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 20:21:35 +0000

While door knocking I often get asked about my support for the Second Amendment. My answer is: I’m a gun owner, love to target shoot and hunt, I’m a member of the NRA, and I hold a State of Minnesota Permit to Carry a Pistol. That’s a straight answer!

May 25, 2010 – Official Filing Day

admin — Tue, 25 May 2010 20:42:53 +0000

Mike and 80 plus Republican Candidates filed their Affidavit of Candidacy with the Minnesota Secretary of State in St. Paul today. The mood was very upbeat. Every candidate related how recent interaction with their constituency proves that Minnesotans are ready to elect representatives that will cut the size of government spending and taxes. The business community’s attitude is get government out of our way, off our backs, and out of our pockets.

Door Knocking Success!

admin — Thu, 06 May 2010 01:54:18 +0000

The campaign team and Mike started the door knocking phase of the campaign in Plainview on Saturday, April 24th. To date we’ve knocked on over 1000 doors to an overwhelming acceptance of the message and promises of support and their vote. We will continue to knock on close to 1000 doors per week until the election to listen to our voter’s concerns and to spread the message of “A Better Minnesota.”

Hardest Challenge Remains

admin — Thu, 06 May 2010 01:16:22 +0000

A recent “opinion” article by Democratic incumbent, State Representative Welti, declaring the “long list of accomplishments” by Legislators, was little more than a smokescreen campaign advertisement. Yes, bills were sited that are important to Minnesotans but the DFL controlled legislature will end another session without tackling the most important issue facing the state, declining revenues and out-of-control spending. Dealing with this will take making the tough decisions and the kind of leadership that the majority party has not yet demonstrated.

Rep. Welti and the DFL legislature in St Paul continue to legislate contrary to what most economists and history has proven to successfully increase tax revenue and balance the budget. The entire state budget has to be reduced as well as the taxes and regulation that stifle private sector investment and job creation. In fact, any analysis of the roll call votes through May 3rdof this year’s legislative session provides ample proof of how Representative Welti has been on the wrong side of a number of issues important to business investment in our state and thus the average family in District 30B.

Rep. Welti and his DFL colleagues have not shown they even comprehend that their business as usual tax and spend more policies will end in disaster. However, the voters understand and will make the right decision in November.

Republicans Endorse Mike Benson for MN House District 30B

admin — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 17:32:26 +0000

Olmsted and Wabasha County Republicans unanimously endorsed Mike Benson as the Republican Candidate for Minnesota House District Seat 30B tonight during the Endorsing Convention held in Rochester, MN.

I am very pleased to be the Republican candidate for HD 30B. We have our campaign organization in place and we are ready to hit the ground running. We need to restore common-sense fiscal responsibility in government to grow our economy and bring back the hope for a prosperous future to all Minnesotans. I am ready to move forward with the campaign and believe I am the clear choice for election in November.

Caucus Night Success!

admin — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:54:17 +0000

Caucus night turned out great for the Benson 2010 – A Better Minnesota Campaign!! Total caucus attendance was significantly lower than 2008 but our volunteers really showed their stuff. We had at least 10 volunteers in t-shirts answering questions, passing out campaign literature, and becoming involved as delegates at the Rochester caucus site. In Plainview, hometown of the incumbent we intend to retire in November, we had 11 people sign up on caucus night to pledge support for our campaign!!

There is a lot of work ahead in the next five weeks to secure the endorsement but we are on our way to party success and preparing for our push to victory in November!

Break From The Past – The New Beginning We Need

admin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:24:48 +0000

Even though I admire the late Carl Sagan’s breadth of work in astronomy and astro-chemistry I’m not sure I would have started an article about how to approach future legislative negotiations over the state’s budget with a quote from someone who spent much of his time looking for extra-terrestrial intelligence. I believe I may be more inclined to quote an economist known for proven practical solutions; from someone like Adam Smith, Milton Friedman or Dr. Arthur Laffer. But then Representative Norton’s editorial piece on October 8, 2009 was about finding ways to work across party lines to find practical solutions, or was it? I think it was as much about taking a swipe at our governor who used the power of his office to save all Minnesotans over a billion dollars in potential new taxes; new taxes none us could afford at this difficult time.
Representative Norton laudably calls for our leaders to work together to find solutions. But, she reproves those leaders who, in her opinion, are not engaging in a process they believe will only lead to more of the same, tax and spend policies of the past. Even in an economy when every responsible economist would recommend a reduction of taxes to stimulate investment and create jobs the Democrats in St Paul propose that government spend its way out of the situation.
All Minnesotans would like to see a more civil discussion in St Paul about how to address the future of economic/job growth; energy independence with environmental protections; affordable healthcare; upgraded infrastructure; and an education system in every district capable educating our children to be successful in a global economy. But it is important to remember that there are good reasons for many republicans to be ideologically opposed to the current direction of the legislature and passionate in their discourse. The Sagan line quoted by Representative Norton in her piece admonishes us to learn from the past. One piece of history that we are all paying for is that government in Minnesota grew at the astonishing rate of an average of 19% every year from 1960 to 2002. Or maybe we should remember that Minnesota has the 3rd highest corporate tax rate in the U.S., not the most conducive environment for attracting new business or growing the ones we have now.
Taxes are the price of a civil society but we have reached a tipping point. Its time our state government begins learning some new vocabulary, like cost benefit analysis, restraint, lower taxes, and incenting people to work harder to create jobs. When the legislature reconvenes for really serious discussions to take on the critical issues important to all Minnesotans they need break from the past and begin anew, less we travel down the road taken by California.
I applaud the way she ended her piece. She ended by asking all Minnesotans to become involved in the dialogue that will ultimately determine the future prosperity of us all. The last statement is most telling – she wants to hear from us. Representative Norton we want you to not only hear us, we want you to listen.