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State Rep. Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove, is pledging to veto any tax increase if he’s elected governor.

Zellers, a former speaker of the Minnesota House, is among four Republicans running in the Aug. 12 primary for the chance to challenge incumbent DFL Gov. Mark Dayton in November.

Zellers held a news conference Wednesday to announce that he has renewed his pledge with the Grover Norquist-led advocacy group Americans for Tax Reform, to not raise taxes.

”After what we’ve seen the last two years, I think Minnesotans need to know going in, before they elect a governor, that they won’t raise taxes,” Zeller said.

The pledge form that Zellers signed on July 10 states that he “will oppose and veto any and all efforts to increase taxes.” He is the first Minnesota GOP candidate for governor to sign the pledge this year, 

Zellers told reporters that in the event of an unexpected economic downturn and budget deficit, he would balance the state books through “spending reductions” and “efficiencies.” He would not rule out the use of a school funding shift as part of that strategy.

Zellers also unveiled his first TV ad of the campaign. The ad started airing today on cable in three markets. It highlights his rural roots, his family and his 2011 budget showdown with Gov. Dayton.

Politics and Government News

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Tim Pugmire

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State Rep. Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove, is pledging to veto any tax increase if he’s elected governor.


Zellers adds anti-tax pledge, TV ad to gov campaign

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