Carver County parade float crash injures candidate, staffer
The Republican candidate for secretary of state and his campaign manager were injured Sunday when the parade float they riding on crashed.
The float had just completed the Steamboat Days parade and was heading to back to the staging location when the accident occurred, according to Amy Koch, the campaign manager for U.S. Senate Republican candidate Karin Housley. Koch said the tractor pulling the float sped up and hit a curb.
John Howe, candidate for secretary of state, said he was thrown to the pavement along with his campaign manager, Tim Droogsma. Howe spoke to MPR News while being transported by ambulance to Hennepin County Medical Center. Howe said it appeared the flatbed trailer ran over Droogsma.
The accident happened after the parade had concluded. No other injuries have been reported.
Carver County Sheriff Sgt. David McDonald said it was his understanding that the injuries were not life-threatening.
A spokesperson said Droogsma is at 212 Medical Center in Chaska and is in stable condition.
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