Legislative candidates getting early start on 2008

In House District 40A, two Republicans have already stepped forward as candidates for 2008. The suburban district covers two-thirds of the city of Burnsville and part of Savage.

Todd Johnson, a commercial real estate developer and local school board member, started his campaign in April. Johnson says the early start gives him time to get to know voters and to raise money.

"In order for one party to get a leg up, they've got to start early," Johnson said. "Those who work the hardest will hopefully be rewarded. I hope I don't see any doors slammed on me, that 'boy you're here too early, come back next year.' I think they'll be receptive, and they want to talk about the issues."

Johnson will face a challenge next year for the Republican endorsement. Deb Moran, a former Burnsville City Council member, has also filed as a candidate in District 40A.

"I have announced because, number one, Todd Johnson came out first," Moran said.

Not wanting to fall behind the competition, Moran says she also wants to get an early start on raising money and getting her name out. She's also trying to meet with the GOP delegates who will endorse a House candidate next spring.

"I've already started to call them," Moran said. "I'm having lunch next week with a delegate. I need to reconnect and connect with new delegates too, and that takes time."

"I'll worry about re-election come summer of 2008."

Moran says she always viewed the district as a Republican stronghold and was stunned last fall when voters elected a Democrat. She says a Republican should be able to win back the seat.

Rep. Will Morgan, DFL-Burnsville, says he wasn't surprised to learn Republicans are already working to defeat him next fall.

"I'll be out talking to residents throughout the summer, just as I would have anyway," Morgan said. "And I'll worry about re-election come summer of 2008."

Republicans have their sights on Morgan and at least a dozen other first-term legislators, who won close elections last fall. There are multiple candidates in about half of those districts.

House Minority Leader Marty Seifert, R-Marshall, says candidate recruitment got a boost from the 2007 legislative session. He says DFL attempts to raise taxes inspired a lot of Republicans to step forward.

Seifert says the roster of candidates includes two legislators who lost their seats last year: Ray Cox of Northfield and Peter Nelson of Lindstrom.

"I would say right now, out of the top targeted seats, we have well over a dozen to 15 candidates that are pretty much committed to running, who are really excellent candidates," Seifert said. "We're going to try to get them filed this summer and fall and get them raising money and get them active in the community so people know that we're serious."

But Seifert's game plan will require some defense, because House DFL leaders say they're out to win more than their current 85 seats.

House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, DFL-Minneapolis, says DFL candidates are already in place in about 75 percent of the races, including a few who narrowly lost last fall. Kelliher is also crediting the just-completed session for a successful recruitment.

"Nothing brings more success like the success that we've had," Kelliher said. "People are very interested in joining us and want to be there to help keep Minnesota moving forward, especially on issues on education, health care and the property tax reduction; issues that got roadblocked this year by the governor and the House minority."

DFL and Republican candidates will need money to run in 2008, and both House caucuses are moving into a fundraising mode. House Democrats are looking to pull in some big checks Wednesday night in St. Paul at what they call their "Post-Session Celebration."

A GOP event next week in St. Paul will charge $1,500 per person, with proceeds going to the House Republican caucus.

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