Minnesota State House Seat District 52A

District 52A covers Centerville, and parts of Lino Lakes, Hugo, Forest Lake, Linwood Township, New Scandia Township, and Columbus Township.  The candidates for District 52A are:

Adam Best (DFL)
		About Me:  Adam Best is a newcomer to the political scene. He feels that Minnesota has spent too long going in the wrong direction under politics-as-usual. Our current leaders are too beholden to the ideological extremists who comprise special interest groups. Adam believes that if we take the time to examine our values, we can find areas of agreement, and forge compromises that support those shared values. Adam has spent his life studying public policy and history. He feels he has the ideas to move Minnesota into a sustainable future with good jobs, excellence in education and a cleaner environment. Adam celebrated his first anniversary with his wife Susan in September. They live in Hugo, and adore their dog, Bailey, and cat, Mario. Adam is a published amateur photographer, and enjoys gourmet cooking. Just about every lunch hour during the week, you can find him running along Highway 61, training for the Twin Cities Marathon. In addition, Adam is an NRA member and an avid hunter with both bow and a WWII-era, iron-sights rifle, and loves spending time in the great outdoors.
Important Issues:  Adam knows we're facing serious challenges in Minnesota. We have an unprecedented budget deficit. We can't slash & burn our way out of this budget crisis. Neither can we tax & spend our way out. Our property taxes have gone up 65% under Republican leadership. Ask any senior on a fixed income, and they’ll tell you: this is unsustainable! We need more people back to work at higher wages to take the tax burden off our senior citizens. China is set to spend $10B/year in “green” energy investment. If we can’t match that commitment, we will see further erosion of our economy. We need to get serious about education. We need to turbocharge our schools to help produce the next generation of scientists & engineers who will re-establish Minnesota’s place as the most innovative state. Our situation is a tapestry: you can’t pull one thread without affecting the entire result.
Political Philosophy: Adam believes that the first & foremost function of government is protection of its citizens. Specifically: protection against threats from which individuals cannot protect themselves. This includes not only stated enemies of the government, but also those who would seek to subjugate their fellow citizens through unethical commercial practices. Basically: everyone should have the equal opportunity to succeed or fail on their own merits & efforts. There are multiple types of tyranny. One is an overbearing government that forces compliance through the barrel of a gun. Another is an unchecked monopoly that accumulates & maintains power through control of money, which is then then bestowed upon chosen politicians, to ensure continued authority. Both are frightening. We need a government that is effective and efficient; one that lives within its means, but ensures that it isn’t so weak as to be supplanted by commercial, profit-driven interests.
Endorsements: Education Minnesota Minnesota Nurses Association AFL-CIO MAPE SEIU Teamsters AFSCME
Bob Dettmer (R)
		About Me: Bob has just completed his second term as State Representative for 52A. Bob received a BS degree from Bemidji State University in May 1973. He then got his first teaching and coaching job in Forest Lake, MN. and taught there for 34 years retiring after he was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives. He and his wife raised two sons and a daughter. Their twin sons graduated from Forest Lake High School, received and accepted appointments to the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. They graduated with the class of 2000 and are Officers in the military. Both have served overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. Their daughter, graduated from Bethel University in St. Paul and is working in Banking. Bob served as the Head Wrestling Coach at Forest Lake High School from 1975 to 2007. He has accumulated a 399-144-2 record. This record ranks Bob as 12th out of 261 high school wrestling coaches in Minnesota. Bob also has received numerous awards as an athlete and as a coach. Bob is also currently serving as a Chief Warrant Officer (CW4) in the United States Army Reserves. After 9/11 he was called to active duty for 20 months.
Important Issues: Bob has authored legislation to increase state funding for our local schools, and he’s working to fix the state’s broken education funding formula that gives schools in Washington and Anoka counties thousands less per student than schools in Minneapolis and St. Paul. He is ‘Pro-life when it comes to dealing with life issues but ‘pro-choice’ when it comes to education. He is a supporter of parental rights and choices related to their children’s education. He also serves on the Veteran’s Affairs Committee and has authored several bills for the benefit of the veteran.
Political Philosophy: I believe that limited government is the best government and that free enterprise is the best path to prosperity for all Minnesotans. We need to make government better, not larger. I support reducing taxes, spending and regulation to create business opportunities for our hard-working families and businesses. I believe that parents are responsible for their children’s education and that parents, teachers and local school boards can best make decisions about that education. I recognize the sanctity of human life and marriage, and the central role of the traditional family in our society. As an Army Reservist, I understand that peace is best maintained through a strong national defense.
Endorsements:  (Currently Seeking) Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association MCCL Minnesota Concerned Citizens for Life Legislative Evaluation Assembly of MN, Inc. Minnesota Farm Bureau PAC Minnesota Chamber Leadership Fund Minnesota Chamber of Commerce National Rifle Association Care Providers of Minnesota