Redesigning State-Local Government Relationship -- Roles Will Be Horner-Mulder Priority

Strengthening Minnesota Communities to be Focus of Lieutenant Governor Pick

MINNEAPOLIS and ST. PAUL, Minn., June 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Tom Horner, Independence Party Candidate for governor, today announced Jim Mulder as his choice for lieutenant governor.  Horner said that Mulder's addition to the ticket reinforces his campaign's commitment to fix the budget, create jobs, and revitalize Minnesota communities. This partnership will end the "pass-the-buck" mentality that is forcing many school districts to go to four-day weeks, cities to cut public safety and communities around the state to struggle economically.

For the past 21 years, Mulder served as executive director of the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) where he led the administrative operations, legislative, and communications efforts that support Minnesota's 87 counties.  During his tenure, he developed a comprehensive training program for member counties on managing change, revitalizing communities, and developing future leaders.  

Mulder also worked as the county coordinator and chief operating officer for McLeod County. Early in his career, he worked for the House of Representatives in caucus research and as tax committee administrator conducting public policy research and analysis.

Horner said he sought three qualities in a lieutenant governor:  "First, it is important that the lieutenant governor be a person of substance and experience, someone Minnesotans will trust as having the ability and skills to help lead the state through four years that will be extremely challenging.

"Second, given the scope of the challenges Minnesota faces, a lieutenant governor should have the ability to manage a key portfolio, one that will help define the state's future. There are few issues more important than redesigning the relationship between state and local governments. Traveling the state, you see how so many counties, communities and school districts are being pushed to the edge by pass-the-buck state policies. 

"We need to create policies for where Minnesotans live, not where legislators work," said Horner.

"The third quality is a person who can help take this campaign to all 87 counties. While other candidates claim to have visited all 87 counties as part of a campaign, Jim has done it many times over as part of building a better state," said Horner. 

Horner also pointed out that neither he nor Mulder have sought office before. "We are not politicians. We are people who have invested our careers in public policy, community service and business," said Horner. "We bring the perspective of people who aren't tied up in politics with the knowledge of those who know how government works and how to get things done."

Mulder said that for Minnesota to succeed, "We must have healthy, safe communities.  That's where government puts the boots on the ground.  Basic services such as clean water, police and fire, water treatment and so many more are what make each community flourish.  A community cannot meet the healthy standard without healthy schools, healthy cities and towns and healthy counties.  As part of the campaign, and as lieutenant governor, my role will be to listen to the concerns of local government elected officials.  I will be the point of the spear for local government in the Horner-Mulder campaign and will be meeting with commissioners, mayors and city councilmen, town supervisors and school board members to share ideas and solutions to the challenges we face."

"In Jim Mulder, Minnesota has a candidate of substance, vision and innovation," said Horner. "I invited him to join the ticket because he is the best person for the job, not because of political considerations. In Jim Mulder, Minnesotans have insight into the high-quality people who will be invited to serve with me in my administration."

For more information regarding Horner's campaign and Jim Mulder, log on to www.Horner2010.com.

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SOURCE Horner2010