Wabasha County Votes Republican

y Michael Smith Wabasha County voters demonstrated mixed party loyalty on ballots they cast last Tuesday in the State’s General Election—but for the most part, they voted Republican red. Whereas the county’s voters supported incumbent Democratic Senator Al Franken* (48.22%) over Republican challenger Mike McFadden (45.75%) and a host of minor party candidates, they also supported Republican challengers Jeff Johnson and Bill Kuisle (50.57%) over incumbent DFL Governor Mark Dayton* and Lt. Gov. Tina Smith* (43.48%) and other challengers. Likewise, the county voters easily supported incumbent 2nd District Republican Congressman John Kline* (57.96%) over challenger DFL Mike Obermueller (35.83%). Paula Overby (Ind.) earned 6% of the vote. The voters in Wabasha County also supported incumbent Republican Representatives. Tim Kelly* (District 21A, 53.75%) and Steve Drazkowski* (District 21B, 60.02%) over Democratic challengers Lynn Schoen of Wabasha (21A, 46.19%) and M. A. Schneider (21B, 39.58%). Voters here also went Republican when casting ballots for Secretary of State and State Auditor, but they voted DFL for Attorney General. In the Secretary of State race, Wabasha County voted 51% to 41% for Republican Dan Severson over DFL’er Steve Simon*. Independent candidate Bob Helland earned 5.6% of the votes. The State Auditor’s race went Republican in the county, as well, as Randy Gilbert picked up 46% of the votes and DFL incumbent Rebecca Otto* earned 44%. DFL incumbent Attorney General Lori Swanson* won 48% to 43% over Republican Scott Newman in Wabasha County, however. There were only two judicial races of the many on the ballot that were contested. In the race for Associate Justice 2-Supreme court, Wabasha County voters favored Wilhemina (Mimi) Wright 52% to 47% over John Hancock. In the Associate Justice 3-Supreme Court race, Michelle L McDonald won 53% to 47% over David Lillehaug. (Editor’s note—Bold means candidate won Wabasha County; * means candidate won overall.)