In his first attempt at public office, Republican Dan Fabian won the Minnesota District 1A House race over the incumbent in a landslide.
Fabian, a high school teacher-coach in Roseau, drew 59 percent of the vote in defeating two-term representative Dave Olin of Thief River Falls.
Like the coach that he is, Fabian thanked his team. He had a dozen volunteers walking with him in summer parades and 40 knocking on doors on weekends during the campaign stretch drive.
"Like a track meet, we had a lot of people working together for a common cause," Fabian said.
Fabian comfortably carried Pennington County, Olin's home turf and won Roseau County, traditionally a Republican stronghold, with 67 percent.
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"The most gratifying part was that my home of 34 years was so supportive," he said.
Olin thanked voters for the "honor" of representing them for four years, adding that "I'm glad to get my life back after 36 years of being in the public spotlight.
"I won't have someone looking at me for everything I did and second-guessing my votes."
Win or lose, he said, this was going to be his last campaign, so he will not attempt to get the seat back in two years. "I wanted a chance to watch my grandchild grow up," he said.
Olin said there were several factors that contributed to his defeat. The Republicans and tea partiers were more enthusiastic than traditional Democrat voters, he said.
"In many precincts, (Fabian) had the same number of votes as my opponent two years ago did, but I was way down in votes," he said. "The Democrats didn't appear to be as focused."
He said widely dispersed letters to the editor by executives of Digi-Key and Marvin Windows also damaged his chances.
"They took potshots at me even though I didn't support" the taxation plan of DFL gubernatorial candidate Mark Dayton, he said.
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Fabian said his win can be attributed to the "messengers and the message." The messengers were his volunteers and the message was that voters across the country "want more responsive and responsible government."
The downside, he said, is that he will have to give up his track coaching job.
Reach Bakken at (701) 780-1125; (800) 477-6572, ext. 125; or send e-mail to rbakken@gfherald.com .
