Racino Issue Determines Important 2010 Election Victories

EAGAN, Minn., Nov. 3, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The racino issue proved to be one of the deciding factors in many important 2010 Minnesota Senate and Minnesota House elections. Voters clearly stated that they would no longer tolerate the status quo and turned out to elect individuals that have vowed to support racino legislation. The results show that Minnesotans are serious about voting for candidates who support the racino concept, a measure that more than 70% of Minnesotans have consistently supported over the past decade.

"It's obvious that Minnesotans have grown tired of politics as usual," said Dick Day, president of Racino Now. "Voters turned out to support legislators that will finally get racino legislation passed and bring $200 million per budget cycle to the state of Minnesota."

In Minnesota House races, pro-racino candidates Sondra Erickson (16A), Andrea Kieffer (56B) and Kirk Stensrud (42A) all defeated powerful anti-racino incumbents in contentious races. Additionally, pro-racino candidates for Minnesota Senate, Sean Nienow (17) and Ted Daley (38), both defeated incumbents in difficult districts that were historically opposed to racino legislation.

Furthermore, pro-racino DFL incumbents Keith Langseth (9), Dan Sparks (27), John Benson (43B) and Kory Kath (26A), all facing the task of winning tough seats on a historic GOP night, won re-election by comfortable margins.

Most importantly, voters showed that they value legislators who represent their constituents. The electorate turned out to support legislators that stood up for racino legislation over the past two years. Notably, 39 of the 45 incumbents who cast pro-racino votes on the House or Senate floor during 2009-2010 were re-elected.

"In some districts, the racino issue proved more important than political party or political experience in the 2010 elections," said Day.

Racino Now is dedicated to informing the public about the benefits that racino legislation would bring to the citizens of Minnesota. Racino legislation would allow Canterbury Park, a thoroughbred racetrack and card club in Shakopee, MN, to install slot machines and would generate $200 million for the state per budget cycle. For nearly the past decade, polls have continually showed that more than 70% of Minnesotans are in favor of this legislation.

SOURCE Racino Now