Shunned lawmaker Mark Olson gets GOP endorsement
Rep. Mark Olson has the endorsement of the Republican Party in his bid to replace a GOP state Senator Betsy Wergin.
It's a turnaround for the party. Olson was permanently expelled from the House Republican Caucus last summer following his conviction on domestic assault charges.
He has represented his Big Lake district for 16 years, but Republicans gave their endorsement to former Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer in that seat in November.
Olson considered running for re-election as an independent, then set his sights on the special election to replace Wergin.
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On Thursday, Olson won the endorsement against Big Lake Republican activist Alison Krueger on the second ballot.
She says that if people don't like what happened, her name will remain on the September 9th primary ballot.
Wergin, of Princeton, has been appointed to the state Public Utilities Commission.
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Information from: St. Cloud Times, http://www.sctimes.com
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
