Minnesota’s gubernatorial election of 2014 is 18 months away but already, some Republicans are flexing their muscles as announced candidates or as potential candidates for the GOP nomination. DFL Gov. Mark Dayton has already indicated he will seek re-election.

Two Republican candidates have already emerged. Wayzata businessman Scott Honour was the first to announce three weeks ago. Current Hennepin County Commissioner and former state legislator Jeff Johnson made his grand announcement before family and friends May 12 at the Hamel Community Hall, near his residence in Plymouth.

With the Minnesota Legislature still in session, several potential candidates for governor are waiting until their lawmaking business is finished for this session.

The field of candidates was narrowed several weeks ago with the announcement by three potential candidates choosing not to seek the governor’s chair. Former Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman, 2010 unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer and U.S. Rep. John Kline, Second District, each has announced an intent not to run for governor in 2014. Third District Congressman Erik Paulsen recently announced that he would not be seeking the governor’s chair or a seat in the U.S. Senate currently held by Al Franken.

Former Speaker of the House, Rep. Kurt Zellers, R-Maple Grove, said he is “not ruling anything out” when asked about whether he is considering a run for governor in 2014. “I’m focusing on the session right now and will start thinking about future plans when the session is over,” he explained.

Senate Minority Leader David Hann, R-Eden Prairie, answered the question of whether he will run for governor with three words: “Thinking about it.”

Sen. Julie Rosen, R-Fairmont, carried the Minnesota Vikings stadium legislation during the 2012 session. She has been mentioned as a possible candidate for governor. “I’m trying to get through the session but it’s out there and I will do something, yes or no,” Rosen said.

Often outspoken Sen. David Thompson, R-Lakeville, says he is considering a run for governor and hopes to announce his decision the first few days after the session ends. He said he owes it to his constituents and to “the good folks of Minnesota” to declare his intentions soon after the session is completed.

Thompson sounds like a candidate when he attacks the record of Gov. Mark Dayton. “He is taking us in the wrong direction,” Thompson said. Many states are doing what Dayton is doing, increasing taxes and increasing the cost of government, Thompson said. He used the states of Illinois and California as examples.

Speculating on major issues to come into focus during the 2014 campaign, Thompson said education is always an issue and should be an issue. “There is a gap between the higher performing districts and those not getting the job done for students,” Thompson said. A healthy economy and providing jobs and opportunity must also be addressed in the campaign for governor, Thompson said.

Thompson said he was “shocked” at the degree DFLers are going after low income and middle income folks with more taxes. He said the governor and the DFL Party talk about targeting the rich but instead, “they are taxing everybody.”

Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek, a former legislator, has also been mentioned as a possible GOP gubernatorial candidate.

Scott Honour

Candidate Honour, 44, is a native of Fridley. He and his wife Jamie and their three children currently reside in Wayzata.

His father was a pilot for Braniff and lost his job due to the company bankruptcy. Honour later worked for his father, who started a boatlift company. “I learned about hard work, overcoming obstacles, and persevering when things aren’t going well,” Honour is quoted as saying on his campaign website. Honour earned degrees in business and economics and pursued a career in the private sector. He helped grow a firm that focused on fixing troubled businesses.

Honour has been involved in starting many small businesses, one with his brother in the operation of natural gas filling stations. Honour said he drives a natural gas pickup truck that runs 90 percent lower emissions than gas at the refill pump. “We think there is a great opportunity to expand natural gas as a vehicle fuel source,” he said.

Job creation is a priority for Honour. He said he has created a lot of jobs and understands what it takes to create jobs. That’s why he wishes to bring the equation to the governor’s office, he said. Honour once bought a shutdown pulp mill in Cosmopolis, WA and built the business by adding 200 jobs.

Concerned about the direction of the state, Honour said an economic foundation is at the center of his priority lists. “I think we have to make some major changes to get ourselves back on track,” Honour said. He believes he has the leadership abilities to affect change and to create value.

Honour said the fact he is not a career politician resonates well with many state residents. “I’ve had experience in a combination of skills and can figure out what the problems are and then come up with a plan to solve the problems. That’s what I’ve been doing in business for 20-plus years.”

The fact that the state has the lowest minority graduation rates in the country worries Honour. He is also concerned about seeing jobs and taxpayers leave the state. “Our minority employment rates are also the highest in the country,” he said.

Honour said Minnesota does have many great incentives to attract businesses to the state. “They are not choosing Minnesota and that’s the game we want to get in,” he said.

Honour is buoyed by the leadership of the Republican Party, now chaired by Keith Downey. He also has added former party chairman Pat Shortridge to his consulting staff. “I’m really focusing on aligning the party on a message of how we create economic opportunity for everyone in the state, how we have a positive growth if we make the right choices and how we help improve education,” Honour said.

Honour said he wants to be a leader who listens and will be inclusive on the issues. “We have a big opportunity as Republicans to really drive forth the economic message of opportunity and we will see Republicans winning the next election,” Honour predicted.

Jeff Johnson

Candidate Johnson, 46, is a veteran of seven years in the Minnesota House of Representatives. He is a native of Detroit Lakes and currently resides in Plymouth with his wife Sondi and two sons.  Last fall, Johnson was elected to a second term as Hennepin County commissioner. He was unopposed.

Johnson, a graduate of Georgetown University Law School, is owner of Midwest Employment Resources of Plymouth. Employment law is his specialty.

During his years in the House, Johnson was in the Republican majority serving with a DFL Senate. “This opportunity helped me learn to work with people who don’t always agree with you,” Johnson said. As a House member, he said he was pleased to have recorded accomplishments in eminent domain, meth legislation, tort reform and identity theft prevention.

Johnson said it is still possible to get things done in politics even though there are disagreements. “I have been able to take conservative and free market principles and turn them into law,” he said.

Johnson promised his wife he would only serve six years in the Minnesota Legislature. He unsuccessfully sought the Minnesota attorney general’s office in 2006. “I knew it was a longshot but it was a great experience,” Johnson said.

Political challenges still appealed to Johnson and he decided to run for Hennepin County commissioner in 2008. “My objective is to help make county government more acceptable and more results based,” he said.

A run for governor even crossed Johnson’s mind when he was in the Legislature. He said the time is right now and his family is on board with his decision. Raising money for his campaign is an immediate goal. Johnson said he has faith in the strong Republican leadership led by chairman Downey.

Johnson said he cannot win the election with only Republican votes. “We need votes from independent voters and fiscal conservative Democrats,” Johnson said.

Johnson said he believes he is the best Republican candidate fitting the role of a fiscal conservative who can excite the base and get other people involved in government. He said he has a strong electoral base in Hennepin County.

Fiscal responsibility and education are two issues to be addressed during the gubernatorial campaign in 2014, He will focus on making sure government is spending money wisely and responsibly and in ways that produce results. Growing the economy is of utmost concern for Johnson. More jobs are needed in the private sector, he said.

Johnson is against any additional taxes and says he has never voted to raise any tax. Asked about signing a tax pledge, he said he has quit signing pledges.

Johnson has been closely watching the Legislature this session. Looking at the issues, Johnson does not support any of the proposed budgets; he does not favor restricting rights of gun owners; he believes traditional marriage should be law and he does not support an increase in the minimum wage.

Gov. Dayton has not shown much leadership, Johnson said. “He had a golden opportunity to fundamentally reform the tax code this past year with an all-DFL Legislature but he did not do it,” Johnson observed.

Johnson said he has talked to all potential Republican candidates and said one of the main objectives of any of the candidates will be to gain name recognition. “None of us are well known,” he said.

DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin said the party’s internal polling shows Dayton with good marks. A KSTP poll recently showed him with a 45 percent approval rating, significantly higher than that of the Legislature.

The two announced Republican candidates represent the extremes in Minnesota politics, Martin said. He called Johnson a quintessential politician. “We don’t begrudge ambition but when you have blind ambition as he does, there’s something that’s wrong there,” Martin said. “Then, you have another guy, Scott Honour, a wealthy businessman who has done very well for himself but the reality is that it’s tough for guy who drives a Bentley and goes around Lake Minnetonka in his yacht, to relate to ordinary Minnesotans,” Martin said.

Martin believes Dayton is in a good position for re-election but since the election is a year and a half away, he said anything can happen and the DFL Party is not taking anything for granted.

Steven Schier, political science professor at Carleton College, said the 2014 race for governor could be competitive because Gov. Dayton’s polling numbers at this time are far from secure. He said he believes Dayton is potentially beatable with much depending on the state of the Minnesota economy in the fall of 2014.

Public reaction to hikes in taxes and spending likely to be agreed upon by the governor and Legislature will have a big impact on the election, Schirer said. Schirer predicts main issues of the 2014 campaign for governor will be the state economy and the actions of the DFL legislature and governor in 2013-14.  Tax and spending increases, gay marriage, unionization of child care workers and increases in the minimum wage will likely be discussed during the election campaign, Schirer said.

Howard Lestrud can be reached at howard.lestrud@ecm-inc.com

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“It was fun to get a pair of wins,” said Milaca Coach Randy Johnson. “It was really neat to play under the lights at Rec Park.

“It was a good day for us. We played well.”

Sophomore Hannah Johnson pitched the Granite Ridge Conference win over Albany, allowing six hits while striking out 14 and walking just one. The Huskies scored their run in the first inning.

Milaca pounded 14 hits as senior catcher Sadie Hunt, sophomore shortstop Alex Ploeger and sophomore center fielder Kristina Loegering each had three hits. Loegering’s hits included a triple and a double as she scored three runs while Hunt and Ploeger each drove in two runs.

The Wolves supported Johnson with errorless play in the field.

Junior outfielder Ori Scherer scored the winning run against Pierz in the bottom of the sixth inning. She reached base on a pinch-hit single and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Loegering.

Sophomore second baseman Rachel Airhart and Johnson each had a pair of singles while Ploeger, Hunt and sophomore Megan Bremer each had a single.

Senior Sara Warren pitched the victory, allowing nine hits and four walks while fanning eight.

On Thursday, May 9, Milaca dropped a GRC doubleheader against Mora at Milaca. The Mustangs won the first game 3-0 and the second game 3-2.

Scherer, Hunt, Airhart, junior catcher Natalie Bernard and junior third baseman Jessica Hohnwaldt each had a single in the first game. Airhart collected three singles in the second game while Ploeger, Bernard, Hunt, Johnson and Hohnwaldt each had a single.

Mora scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh inning.

“We stranded four runners at second or third base in the first game and seven in the second game,” said coach Johnson. “That was the big difference.”

Warren took the loss in the opener while Johnson suffered the loss in the second game.

Little Falls swept a GRC twinbill from Milaca Tuesday, May 7, at Little Falls. The Flyers won the opener 1-0 and the second game 6-5.

Junior Sierra Virnig decided the first game as she slugged a home run for game’s lone run.

Johnson took the loss, allowing just six hits.

Warren and Scherer pitched the second game.

Ploeger, Johnson and Hohnwaldt had doubles while Loegering and Airhart each had a pair of singles.

Milaca, 5-7 overall and 4-6 in GRC games, begins sub-section play Monday, May 20. The seeding and pairings will be determined this week.

The Wolves close the regular season Friday with a GRC game against St. Cloud Cathedral at Whitney Park in St. Cloud at 4:30 p.m.

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Crowe won the 200-meter dash in 26.53 seconds and the high jump at a height of 5-feet. Sophomore Anna Oakes of Princeton was second in the 200 in 27.25 while senior Kelsey Mohlenkamp of Sartell-St. Stephen was second in the high jump, also at 5-0. Crowe reached the 5-0 mark in fewer attempts than Mohlenkamp.

Crowe teamed with junior Sarah Forker and sophomores Allie Terpstra and Irina Danilyuk to place second in the 4×100 relay in 52.79 and third in the 4×200 relay in 1:52.43. Sartell won the 4×200 in 1:50.64 and the 4×100 in 51.43.

“Kaija had a great meet against strong competition,” said Milaca Co-Coach Jeremy Mikla. “As a team the girls had a very good meet.”

Other highlights for the Milaca girls included:

-Sophomore Tara Airhart placing third and senior Clair Coffee fourth in the pole vault. Both went 8-6.

-Terpstra placing seventh in the 100 hurdles and ninth in the long jump.

-Danilyuk placing eighth in the 300 hurdles-Forker placing ninth in the 100 dash.

-Senior Julia Putz placing 10th in the 1,600 run.

Milaca placed seventh in the 11-team girls division with 328 points. Sartell-St. Stephen was first with 639.5 points, with Totino Grace placing second at 616.5.

Sophomore Josiah Forker led Milaca’s boys as he finished fourth in the pole vault at 11-6.

Forker also teamed up with juniors Mike Warren and Jeson Erickson and sophomore Levi Hunt to place fifth in the 4×100 relay.

Other highlights for the boys included:

-Senior Michael Bussmann’s ninth place in the 400 dash.

-Senior Cam Sundberg’s 10th place in the 1,600.

Milaca finished 10th in the boys team standings with 201.5 points. Sartell-St. Stephen made it a sweep by winning boys honors with 602 points, with Totino Grace placing second at 595.5.

Milaca hosts the sub-section meet Tuesday, May 21, at 3 p.m.

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Following are opinions from Mille Lacs County Times  editor-sports editor Gary Larson, reporter Luther Dorr, former Times intern Logan Marxhausen and sports fan Ben Johnson. Note: This feature is written on Monday each week.

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•Question:  After 34 games the Minnesota Twins are 17-17 and just two-and-one-half games out of first place in the Central Division heading into this week’s home stands against the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox. After that Minnesota embarks on a nine-game road swing against Atlanta, Detroit and Milwaukee.  At this point last year the Twins were 9-24 and nine games out of first place. The team’s 2013 start has surprised many “experts,” as many predicted the Twins were headed for another 90-loss season. Analyze what’s right and what’s wrong with the Twins so far.

-Dorr: What’s right is the pitching of Pittsburgh castoff Kevin Correia (4-2, 3.09 ERA) and the relief pitching by at least six relievers, especially Brian Duensing,  Jared Burton and Glen Perkins. On the offensive side Justin Morneau, despite a lack of homers, has become quite the RBI man, with Oswaldo Arcia chipping in with some big hits. What’s wrong is that six starters are hitting .239 or lower. The Twins are not likely to keep winning regularly with that kind of performance. But there have been different heroes on many nights and maybe that’s the way this team will be in 2013. Starting pitchers Vance Worley and Mike Pelfrey have not been very good, although Pelfrey has been better lately. Check these stats and see if you think the Twins are doing it with smoke and mirrors: The staff ERA is 11th among AL teams, the batting average against of .286 is second worst among the 15 teams, and their team strikeout total is, by far, worst among the 15 teams. On offense their team batting average is 10th,they’re 9th in runs scored and 13th in homers. And still they’re 18-17 after Monday night. So, will the bubble burst or will they do even better when some of those statistics get better?

-Marxhausen: There is a lot to be said for a team that was supposedly going to be in last place all season but is now close to the Central Division lead. What is going right for the Twins now is that their bullpen is carrying the load for nearly half the game. In the Baltimore series alone, not one of Minnesota’s starting pitchers made it to the seventh inning, with the longest completion being Mike Pelfrey’s six full innings (Vance Worley went five and one-third and Scott Diamond lasted five and two-thirds). The bullpen has carried too much of the load and that makes it difficult to utilized those pitchers in upcoming games because they were overworked in the previous games. Along with those irregularities in pitching there are also irregularities in hitting. The consistency of the hitters is what is wrong, but the Twins have been able to score more than a few runs in some of their victories. When watching the Twins, their wins are not nail-bitters that finish 1-0 or 2-1, but rather like the win against the White Sox on Monday, 10-3. The bats are there, but it is the timing of the hits that is key in the victories.

-Larson:  Count me among those who predicted the Twins were headed for 90-plus losses. And, I’m still not convinced that they won’t hit that mark, even with their impressive start. The starting pitching has been decent for the most part, the bullpen has been good for the most part, Joe Mauer has been hitting well and….that’s about it. You could add that the Twins have received timely hits from unlikely sources like Oswaldo Arcia, Wilkin Ramirez, Pedro Florimon and Eduardo Escobar. And, Justin Morneau is driving in runs.

A stat to keep an eye on is the team’s home attendance numbers.  After 16 dates, the team was trailing its 2012 mark by 68,222. Certainly the poor spring weather has affected attendance, but that can’t entirely be blamed for the drop. On Monday against the White Sox the attendance was just 25,605 (39,021 is capacity). And the weather was pretty good Monday night. I think many fans decided this wasn’t going to be a good year to hang out at Target Field and they’re waiting to see if the team’s 2013 success continues. If it doesn’t attendance totals for the season will take a big hit.

-Johnson: I had the Twins losing 100 games this year and I have been pleasantly surprised at their success thus far. If you look at team stats among all of the MLB teams, you will find the Twins somewhere in the bottom 33 per cent in almost all categories in hitting and the bottom 10 per cent in all categories in pitching.  The Twins’ pitching staff is 29th in the majors in quality starts, 29th in opponents’ average, and last in the majors in strikeouts.  The Twins lineup is 27th in home runs, 27th in stolen bases, and 25th in extra-base hits. It is remarkable that they are above .500.  Where are the wins coming from?  The team’s success thus far stems from timely hitting, a great bullpen, and good defense. Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau have been on fire at the plate. When these two are hot at the same time, the Twins can win games regardless of what the starting rotation does. With that being said, I think their rotation is still in shambles.  I figured once the first few series got underway a few of the starters would begin to prove worthy of being a Major League starter.  As the season stands, the only pitcher that should have any sense of job security in the rotation is Kevin Correia (4-2 with a 3.09 ERA).  Pitching coach Rick Anderson will earn his pay this season.

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•Question:  Do you feel the Twins will continue to play at a .500, or reasonably close to .500, pace? Or, do you think the team will sink as the season goes on?

-Dorr: A reader/critic reminded me last week that I had picked the Twins to finish 81-81 and wanted to know if I would stand by that prediction. He said he thought it would be more like 70-92. That may still be the case but the Twins are definitely a better team than last year. As I said above, the starting pitching has been good at times and not so good other times. Former Phillie Vance Worley has to pick it up considerably for the Twins to stay near .500 (and probably for him to stay in the rotation). The offense has to be better and it has been a little better lately, although Joe Mauer and Josh Willingham have to start sharing the RBI load. You say Mauer is hitting .343? Yes he is but he has only 13 RBIs. Trevor Plouffe (.239) has 14, Aaron Hicks (.152) has 15, Ryan Doumit (.215) has 16, rookie Oswaldo Arcia in 60 fewer at-bats has 12, and part-time light-hitting shortstop Pedro Florimon has 10 in 70 fewer at-bats. I think the offense will eventually provide enough runs to stay near .500 but the pitching will have to be better to make that happen. The team likely will fall or rise on the strength, or lack of, starting pitching.

-Marxhausen:  It is entirely up to the Twins how they handle this season. They have benefitted greatly from lack of injuries to the lineup and have had time to build team chemistry as well as improve from the start of the season. Aaron Hicks came into the game against the White Sox batting .137 with only five multi-base hits in 117 plate appearances, but Monday night he not only robbed Adam Dunn of a home run, but hit two himself in his first-ever multi-hit game. The players have the ability to have career nights, but they need to be able to pick each other up as the season progress. The Twins will remain at the .500 pace for awhile. They want to prove the “experts” wrong and that they are capable of having a winning season.

-Larson:  Look for the team’s record to steadily drop below .500 between now and mid-July, then dip more rapidly after that as the pitching arms wear down. For the team to avoid a big slump, Morneau needs to keep driving in runs, Mauer has to start driving in runs and Josh Willingham, Trevor Plouffe, Ryan Doumit, Chris Parmelee, Aaron Hicks and Brian Dozier need to make much larger contributions to the offense than they have so far.

-Johnson: The biggest question mark coming into the season was the starting rotation and that question mark still remains.  Every starter in the rotation seems to have fallen into a cycle of having one good start and then two terrible starts.  The Twins will have to find consistency in their rotation because their lineup and bullpen will not sustain the success they have had so far.  Once the starting rotation starts to put together a number of quality starts from at least four of their starters, then look for me to jump on the playoff bandwagon.

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Do you have an opinion on any of this week’s questions? Do you agree or disagree with the sportswriters? Let us know by sending an e-mail to editor.millelacscotimes@ecm-inc.com or a note to Mille Lacs County Times, 225 S.W. 2nd St. Milaca, MN 56353. Or comment online.

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But, he likes to play and he and his wife Ali (Zimmer) have come up with a way for area golfers to improve their game.

Rock Pile Range is scheduled to open Saturday, May 18. Golfers can improve their driving skills at the range, which is located on the east side of Central Avenue, just across from Stones Throw Golf Course.

The range has markings at 100, 150, 200 and 250 yards.

“I think the driving range is something that can help golfers at every level, from those just starting out all the way to those who are very good,” said Rob, a 2001 Milaca graduate. “It’s a good way to work on your swing, relax or even take out some frustration after a hard day.

“I put down sod last week and it is starting to root in nicely, along with the seed we planted. We feel the range will be a boost to the community.”

Tokens for golf balls to use at the range will be available at Stones Throw. The tokens can then be used at a dispenser in a building at Rock Pile Range. For $5 golfers will receive a bucket of around 45 balls.

“We’re also planning to do some larger quantity discounts or punch cards but we haven’t finalized that,” said Droogsma, who owns Droogsma Construction. “Until Saturday, May 18, the tokens will be on sale at Stones Throw where if you buy four, you get one free.

“I would also like to do a couple days this summer where a parent can get a bucket of balls free for his or her child with the purchase of a token by the parent. We also plan to try to work with the Milaca High Schools teams.”

Milaca coaches Doug Reetz and Heather Hoeck have said the range will be a big boost to their programs.

Rock Pile Range is not affiliated with Stones Throw and Droogsma cautions golfers that it is illegal to drive golf carts on Central Avenue.

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It’s done.

Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton signed into law Tuesday (May 14) afternoon legislation legalizing same-sex marriage.

The legislation, which goes into effect Aug. 1, makes Minnesota the 12th state to legalize same-sex marriage.

“What a difference a year and an election make in Minnesota!” Dayton said to the jubilant crowd of thousands spilling down the State Capitol steps and across the street to the mall below.

“By your political courage, you join the that pantheon of exceptional leaders, who did something extraordinary — you changed the course of history for our state and nation,” Dayton told assembled Democratic lawmakers gathered around the podium.

Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton signed legislation late afternoon on Tuesday (May 14) legalizing same-sex marriage in Minnesota. The legislation goes into effect Aug. 1. Standing behind the governor center is Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, Senate marriage legislation bill author. Standing left of Dibble is Richard Leyva, Dibble’s husband. Rep. Karen Clark, DFL-Minneapolis, who carried the legislation in the House stands to the right of Dibble. Standing next Clark is her partner, Jacquelyn Zita. (Photo by T.W. Budig)

Dayton signed the marriage legislation shortly after 5 p.m. with the gleaming State Capitol dome as a backstop. Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, Senate bill author, and Rep. Karen Clark, DFL-Minneapolis, House author, stood next to the governor as he signed the historic legislation.

Both gay legislators had their partners at their side.

“This is so much about family,” Clark said.

Dibble spoke admiringly of the enduring spirit of same-sex marriage advocates. “I’ve seen your energy grow with every step and every step back,” he said.

House Speaker Paul Thissen, DFL-Minneapolis, said the word that came to mind thinking about the struggle over marriage was the word “faith.”

He credited legislators with advancing the marriage bill, “especially those four brave Republicans in the House,” he said.

Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton applauds while delivering a brief address at the bill signing. On the far left is Rep. Carolyn Laine, DFL-Columbia Heights. A number of are lawmakers attended the ceremony. (Photo by T.W. Budig)

Thissen acknowledged the votes cast by Republicans representatives Jenifer Loon of Eden Prairie, and Pat Garofalo of Farmington, and two other House Republicans drew a loud cheer from the crowd.

In the Senate, Sen. Branden Petersen, R-Andover, was the sole Republican voting for the legislation Monday as it cleared its last legislative hurdle.

Besides members of the crowd yelling “Thank you” at the lawmakers, others yelled “We’ll watch your back.”

Dayton spoke of the nation’s founders as having bold aspirations, but poor implementation of freedom.

They wrongly denied equal rights to and protections to women, African-Americans, other racial minorities, Dayton said.

“They also left out GLBT men and women, if you believe, as I do, that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness certainly includes the right to marry the person you love,” he said.

A jubilant crowd filled the Capitol steps and mall late afternoon Tuesday (May 14) to witness Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton sign into law legislation legalizing same-sex marriage in Minnesota. Pride flags were flying at the State Capitol. (Photo by T.W. Budig)

But recent polls suggest Minnesotans remain divided over same-sex marriage.

An April KSTP/SurveyUSA poll showed a bare majority of Minnesotans, 51 percent, favored changing state law to legalize same-sex marriage.

According to The Williams Institute’s analysis of the 2010 U.S. Census, there were some 10,207 same-sex couples living in Minnesota, representing 4.9 same-sex couples per 1,000 households.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Minnesota ranks 23rd among the states and Washington D.C. in terms of same-sex couples.

North Dakota and South Dakota had the lowest percentages, with Delaware, Massachusetts, Vermont, California and Oregon having the highest.

According to the U.S. Census 2010 American Community Survey, there are about 594,000 same-sex couple households in the United States.

Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton pauses to shake hands with a child atop an adults shoulders. Dayton, like other lawmakers, heard people in the crowd shouting “Thank you!” and “We got your back.” The latter shout meant the lawmakers political support wouldn’t wane. (Photo by T.W. Budig)

Out of these households, some 115,000 reported having children.

About one quarter of same-sex couple households reported they were spouses.

In states with same-sex marriage, about 42 percent of same-sex couple households were reported as spouses as compared to about 28 percent for states with domestic partnerships or civil unions, and about 23 percent for all other states.

Between 2000 to 2010, the number of same-sex couple households in Minnesota increased around 50 percent, according to the Survey.

Tim Budig can be reached at tim.budig@ecm-inc.com

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Former Minnesota Vikings football coach and Hall of Famer Bud Grant said he has always been an advocate of outdoor football but “not any more,” he said after he witnessed the unveiling Monday night (May 13) of the multi-purpose Minnesota Vikings stadium design featuring a new glass look and a fixed roof.

See Vikings video on new stadium design.

Grant, who led his Vikings to four Super Bowls, was one of 500 at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis who attended the public unveiling of the stadium design. Grant, in his coaching days, often led his Vikings in cold and frigid weather during key games.

Minnesota Vikings radio announcer Paul Allen, right, introduced former Minnesota Vikings football coach and Hall of Famer Bud Grant to the crowd Monday night at the design unveiling for the new Vikings multi- purpose stadium. The event drew 500 at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. The design reflects a clear retractable look, said an HKS Architect Bryan Trubey. (Photo by Howard Lestrud)

Grant, still sporting that All American crew-cut look, was introduced by Vikings radio announcer Paul Allen, and his first comment about the $975 million stadium was, “I’m sold.”

Grant was one of the many dignitaries in attendance, but  more than three-fourths of those in attendance were from the Vikings fan base.

Vikings fan Christopher Johnson of Stillwater called the stadium design “beautiful” and “iconic.”

The stadium “will transcend time and is something Minnesotans will be proud of for many years,” Johnson said. “I like the glass look and think the design reflects creativity that puts it ahead of most stadiums in the National Football League,” Johnson said.

Gov. Mark Dayton, who helped spearhead action on the Vikings stadium through the Minnesota Legislature, thanked the many who worked to make the project possible. “It was a heroic effort,” he said. Legislators Morrie Lanning, Julie Rosen and Tom Bakk were also recognized. Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak saluted the support and work of the Minneapolis City Council.

The stadium will feature a fixed roof that will allow light to come in and give it a clear look, said Bryan Trubey, architect representative from HKS Sports & Entertainment. The stadium will have a seating capacity of 65,000 for football and 73,000 for special events.

The stadium will include seven levels with three levels of suites. Architect Trubey said the Vikings stadium is somewhat comparable to the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. “It is a living, breathing structure,” he said. The stadium will be the “window of the world,” Trubey said.

Trubey elicited laughter when the first slide he presented, showed a snow-laden roof with the message being: “Rule Number One: Get the snow off the roof.”

Trubey outlined the construction of the stadium in layers as he explained that the stadium will have up to 125 suites and 7,500 club seats, including suites and clubs at the field level, some of which will put fans closer to the sideline than in any other NFL stadium.

Many Minnesota Vikings football fans were on hand Monday night at the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis Monday night for the unveiling of the design of the multi-purpose stadium. This fan takes a look at the asymmetrical design of the stadium. (Photo by Howard Lestrud)

The asymmetrical stadium will feature two of the largest video boards in the NFL located in both the east and west end zones and video ribbon boards throughout the interior of the seating bowl, Trubey said.

Other stadium amenities will include:

• Large west plaza (over two acres in size) for game day, non-game day and seasonal public gatherings as a connection to the downtown corridor.

• Lightest and most efficient roof structure in the nation for a major new stadium, which will include a single large steel super truss providing primary support for the main long span roof.

• Largest clear ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) roof in the world and the first on a stadium in the nation, allowing connection to the outdoors from a climate-controlled environment.

• Largest glass pivoting doors in the world that will open to the west plaza.

Michele Kelm-Helgen, chair of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority, opened the evening’s festivities and said the multi-purpose stadium will have the capability to host more events than any other large stadium in the world, including NFL football and a Super Bowl, Major League Soccer, NCAA basketball and baseball, high school sporting events, motocross, concerts, conventions, marching band competitions.

Chair Kelm-Helgen explained that the stadium unveiling would also include a meeting of the Sports Authority board to approve the stadium design. That was done by a unanimous vote of the five-member authority board near the end of the night’s events.

Kelm-Helgen said the stadium construction will create 7,500 new jobs. Hundreds of businesses will also be involved in design and construction, more than 24 expected to be local firms. Minorities and women businesses will also be recruited for the stadium construction, Kelm-Helgen said. Mortenson Construction of Minneapolis is the general contractor.

The multi-purpose stadium will feature restaurants and retail establishments in its infrastructure. “It will become a national and international destination,” Kelm-Helgen said.

Team owners Zygi Wilf and Mark Wilf, Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman, Vikings Coach Leslie Frazier and Vikings players Phil Loadholt and John Sullivan each said that the stadium is being built for the fans. “This will be a facility for us to enjoy the year around,” Mark Wilf said. “The fans deserve an atmosphere like this,” said the six-foot-eight, 343-pound Loadholt, an offensive tackle.

Ground breaking is planned for the new stadium in October. The Vikings will play one more full season at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome and then the stadium comes down, most likely in January of 2014. The Vikings will play two seasons at the University of Minnesota’s TCF Stadium in Minneapolis and then will occupy the new, still-unnamed stadium in July of 2016.

“It’s indeed spectacular,” Grant said at a media reception following the public unveiling.

“Thanks for coming,” Vikings vice president Lester Bagley said to Grant. “I get paid for this,” Grant replied. He is under a life contract with the Vikings.

Howard Lestrud can be reached at howard.lestrud@ecm-inc.com

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Republican Sen. Branden Petersen drew a deep breath and voted “Yes.”

The Senate freshman’s vote was the sole Republican vote for the historic legislation legalizing gay marriage that passed the Democratic-led Senate on Monday (May 13).

“I was hopeful that there would be a couple more (Republicans),” Petersen said, stepping outside of the Senate cloakroom.

“(But) I’m comfortable where I’m at,” he said.

Sen. Branden Petersen, R-Andover, was the lone Republican voting in
favor of the marriage equality bill passed on the Senate floor Monday
afternoon by a 37-30 vote. (Photo by Howard Lestrud)

The Senate’s 37 to 30. passage of the marriage bill propels it out of the Legislature and to the desk of Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton.

Dayton is expected to sign the bill at a ceremony Tuesday (May 14) on the State Capitol steps at 5 p.m.

The Democratic-led House late last week passed the identical legislation approved Monday by the Senate.

In that House vote, four Republicans joined with Democrats in advancing the bill.

But deep divisions over the legislation, which, once signed by Dayton, would make Minnesota the 12th state to legalize same-sex marriage, were plainly visible on the Senate floor.

“Don’t fool yourself today,” Sen. Dan Hall, R-Burnsville, warned of thinking the vote ended the same-sex marriage debate.

Hall said the legislation could spark civil disobedience, inciting passions not seen since the Civil War.

Republicans twice attempted to amend the legislation, heralding an amendment offered by Sen. Paul Gazelka, R-Nisswa, as providing better protections for those objecting to gay marriage based on personal religious beliefs.

Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, meets the media following
adjournment of the Minnesota Senate on Monday afternoon. Dibble was
author of the Senate bill that was passed by a 37-30 vote. Gov. Mark
Dayton will sign the bill into law at 5 p.m. Tuesday. (Photo by Howard Lestrud)

Under one provision in the amendment, no private person would have been required to provide accommodations, facilities, goods, or other services for marriages that violated their sincerely held religious beliefs.

Heartfelt religious beliefs are not something that can be honored and then set aside, Gazelka argued.

“It’s about living your faith seven days a week, 24 hours a day,” he said.

Democrats sharply attacked that amendment.

“This is certainly one of the most discriminatory things I’ve seen in a long time,” said Sen. Barb Goodwin, DFL-Columbia Heights.

Other Democrats, such as Sen. Ron Latz, DFL-St. Louis Park, depicted the amendment as an assault on civil liberties.

Under it, an individual, acting on sincere religious beliefs, could refuse to provide services to a disabled person marrying a non-disabled person, Latz argued.

“Do we really want to go there?” he asked.

Sen. Paul Gazelka, R-Nisswa, introduced an amendment to HF 1054 on gay
marriage during debate on the Senate floor on Monday afternoon. The
amendment failed. Sen. Warren Limmer, R-Maple Grove, is at right. He
was a strong supporter of the amendment. (Photo by Howard Lestrud)featured

Gazelka’s amendment failed on a 26 to 41 vote.

Another Republican amendment would have required the continued use of the certain words such as “man” and “woman” in state law in describing the marriage of opposite sex partners.

Sen. Torrey Westrom, R-Elbow Lake, argued that the provision would guard usage of the words “mother” and “father” that “we have used forever.”

But the amendment failed on a 31 to 36 vote.

A number of Senate Democrats rose on the floor to support the marriage legislation.

Sen. John Hoffman, DFL-Champlin, called the bill a stepping stone for equality for all people.

Latz called the marriage-equity question the civil rights issue of his generation.

“The separation of church and state is for the protection of both,” he said.

Sen. Alice Johnson, DFL-Spring Lake Park, spoke of her personal life.

She mentioned her marriage to a former lawmaker, Richard Jefferson, who is black, and how some people still question marriages between people of different races.

“Let’s learn from history, please,” Johnson said.

Gazelka, while professing his respect for gays, said God does have rights and wrongs.

It appears God is on both sides of the marriage issue, Sen. Charles Wiger, DFL-Maplewood said.

“Rejoice” — let’s move ahead, he said.

But Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer, R-Big Lake, spoke of Minnesotans feeling cheated concerning the Republican-sponsored marriage amendment that defined marriage as between one man and one woman.

Those opposed to that amendment, defeated in the 2012 elections,  assured the public, she said, that nothing would change by voting against the amendment.

“Do they (the public) feel betrayed today — absolutely,” she said.

But Senate bill author, Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, called his bill a simple, though powerful, piece of legislation.

Even so, the legislation does not change the meaning of marriage, he argued.

“We are redefining nothing,” Dibble said.

Petersen described the debate over the marriage issue as a clash of philosophies.

Citing equal protection afforded by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, Petersen said:
“I am absolutely certain I stand on the side of individual liberty.”
Shortly after, Petersen drew a deep breath and voted “Yes”.

“There’s five of us,” Petersen said of the total number of Republicans, House and Senate, that voted for the marriage bill.

“I certainly went out on a limb,” Petersen said.

“But I think it’s moving in the right direction,” he said.

Petersen said it would be unwise for Republicans to attempt to repeal the marriage legislation in the future.

Speaking after the floor session, Sen. Michelle Benson, R-Ham Lake, said there were no hard feelings in the Senate Republican Caucus towards Petersen.

“We settled that a long time ago,” Benson said.

Republicans, too, spoke of the marriage vote as historic.

“This is once-in generation kind of bill,” Sen. Sean Nienow, R-Cambridge, said prior to start of session.

“It’s a big one,” he said.

Tim Budig is at tim.budig@ecm-inc.com

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The second historic day at the State Capitol for marriage equality began early Monday, May 13, in the sunshine for supporters and opponents of gay marriage legislation.

Opposing views were evident on the State Capitol steps early Monday. Sergy Aponchik, left, of Dayton, holds a Vote No sign next to Christy Lillebridge of Minneapolis who is holding a sign that reads “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” (Photo by Howard Lestrud, ECM Publishers)

As was the case last Thursday – the day the House voted 75-59 to adopt a gay marriage bill – those on both sides of the issue often demonstrated side by side and peacefully. The crowds were unevenly balanced with more wearing the orange shirts, the attire of those carrying the “I support the freedom to marry” message.

Two brothers from Dayton held their “It takes a man and woman” placards as supporters mostly representing Minnesota for Marriage. Sergy Aponchik was reluctant to reveal his name as he protested publicly.

“I’m trying to protect the family, and to protect the family, it takes a man and a woman,” he said.

Sergy’s brother Paul was called out on his “Don’t erase mom and dads” sign by a defender of the gay marriage legislation.

“I’m not depriving anyone of their rights; I just believe children should have a mom and a dad,” Paul said.

Christy Lillebridge of Minneapolis said today’s Senate debate means that “finally, we are stopping injustices of hiding behind bullying and bigotry.” She said this legislative debate is “about a lot more than just marriage.”

Heather Vosburgh, left, of Minneapolis, and Hillary Mathieu, right, of Minneapolis, crafted their own marriage equality sign stating: “Gay people getting married?! (Next they’ll be allowed to vote and pay taxes).” (Photo by Howard Lestrud, ECM Publishers)

Security again was tight and a Minnesota trooper and his bomb-sniffing dog were making a sweep of the Senate Chambers just before 11 a.m. The Senate was due in at noon and expected to debate the issue for three hours or more.

Supporters of Minnesotans United for All Families were busy customizing signs on the south Capitol steps. Just before 9:30 a.m., the members of the group moved indoors and began their demonstrating in the Capitol rotunda.

Luke Stang, 10, of River Falls, Wis., in a lively manner displayed his homemade sign supporting gay marriage. It read: “Love Makes a Family, VOTE YES.”

Richard Carlbom, head of the Minnesota United Vote No campaign last year against the amendment to define marriage as between a man and a woman, took time in front of the Capitol to pose with young supporters of the marriage legislation.

Singing was a popular mode of having opinions heard. Many on the Capitol steps, mostly those with orange shirts, sang a soft rendition of “America the Beautiful.” As demonstrators moved inside, they sang other messages.

A large group named One Voice Mixed Chorus, GLBTA, sang many tunes in the Capitol rotunda early Monday morning. The choir consists of 50 members. (Photo by Howard Lestrud, ECM Publishers)

A large GLBTA (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Allies) choir sang many songs in support of the bill. The choir was directed by Jane Ramsmeyer Miller of St. Paul.

Pointing to their allied support, Colleen Watson of St. Paul jokingly said, “We ask them not to flaunt their lifestyle or do any recruiting.”

Only 100 feet away, Tatyance Skrynnik of Brooklyn Park was talking on a cellphone and holding a “One Man, One Woman” sign. She said she was trying to find someone to work her afternoon shift so she could remain at the Capitol. Skrynnik said she was protesting what some are trying to change: “something we have had for thousands of years.”

Singing was also taking place in the Great Hall area of the Capitol where opponents were completing a rally by singing “How Great is Our God.” The song was led by Bob Headley, pastor of Maranatha Church in Forest Lake. His brother Bill, also a pastor in the Chisago Lakes area, led a group of about 125 in organized prayer.

Autumn Leva, director of government affairs and communications for Minnesota for Marriage, urged supporters of the Vote No movement to continue to pray and to talk to their senators. “Leave note for your senator,” Leva said.

“No  matter what happens today, you were all here and your voices were heard,” Leva said.

John Helmberger, chairman of Minnesota for Marriage and chief executive officer of the Minnesota Family Council, said the conventional wisdom is that the Senate will adopt the same legislative language approved on Thursday by the House. He expressed displeasure with the rumor that a bill signing ceremony has already been arranged for 5 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, May 14).

Helmberger encouraged supporters of Minnesota for Marriage “to pray for God to intervene and to manifest his glory.” He also urged Vote No demonstrators to keep their emotions in check.

“Let peace reign in our hearts and be exuded by us,” Helmberger said.

Bob Headley said “passage of the gay marriage legislation would cause religious liberties to be destroyed before our eyes.”

It appeared that only one Republican senator was planning to vote for the marriage equality legislation. That senator has long been identified as Sen. Brandon Peterson, R-Andover. It is possible other Republicans might vote for the same-sex marriage bill.

Jake Loesch, communications director for Minnesotans United for All Families, said last Thursday’s vote and today’s anticipated favorable Senate vote both represent very large steps forward.

“Supporters on both sides are remaining positive and respectful, emphasizing love, commitment and family,” Loesch said.

Howard Lestrud can be reached at howard.lestrud@ecm-inc.com

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