The political climate nationally has tilted to the right and away from veteran incumbents. The Minnesota District 1 Senate race will be a test whether that mood extends to the state level.
DFLer LeRoy Stumpf has been in the Legislature since 1980. He has won nine straight elections, carrying 96 percent and 64 percent of the vote in his past two races.
Republican opponent Russell Walker, a Roseau County commissioner the last 13 years, is in his first run at a state office. A conservative, he won the Republican primary despite not seeking the party's endorsement.
The candidates are unsure if political unrest elsewhere will transfer to northwestern Minnesota.
"Stumpf is more middle-of-the-road for spending, but there are some things he's spent on that I wouldn't have," Walker said. "He's more conservative than a big share of Democrats, but I'm quite a bit more to the right than he is."
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Stumpf said the strength of the region's agriculture and job market has meant for a better economy, and subsequently less unrest, than in other parts of the country.
"I don't see the kind of rhetoric when talking to people that you hear on the national news," he said.
Walker said the economy could be even better if the Legislature was more sympathetic to business. He said he worries that major employers such as Marvin Windows of Warroad and Digi-Key of Thief River Falls will move jobs out of state to capitalize on a more business-friendly tax climate. With the state's budget problems, he fears raised taxes on business.
Stumpf touts his seniority, experience and influence, specifically as chairman of the Senate Education Finance and Policy Committee and a position on the Capital Investment Committee, more commonly known as the bonding committee.
"I have goals to secure and stabilize funding for rural schools," he said. "And I hope I can use my experience to accomplish a balanced budget for the state projects.
"I know there is sometimes an anti-incumbency feeling, but experience does add value to what you're doing."
Stumpf said he's most proud of his work on flood mitigation and prevention in the valley. That experience will be important in dealing with the Fargo-Moorhead diversion and "what happens downstream from it."
Although listed as a Republican on the ballot, Walker said he can't be pressured by the party because "I ran against the endorsed candidate and the party hasn't given me anything, so I can stand on my own and be more independent-minded."
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