U grad to take a second shot at House of Representatives

By Raghav Mehta

Despite being defeated in 2008 by more 40 percent of the vote, University of Minnesota alumnus Ole Hovde is taking another shot at the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Hovde, who graduated from the University in 2009, is campaigning for a seat in District 59B, which has been represented by Rep. Phyllis Kahn, DFL-Minneapolis, since 1972.

The district has a record of being left-leaning, but Hovde, a Republican, refuses to be discouraged.

“I think we do need a voice that is representing the district’s needs,” Hovde said. “She hasn’t been in a classroom teaching or being educated in, I’m going to guess, 30 years … That puts her way out of touch with the vast majority of the district.”

However, Kahn insists that while she doesn’t attend the University as a student, she is actively involved.

“I continually interact with things at the Humphrey School,” Kahn said. “I’m always giving lectures in people’s classes.”

Hovde, who said he agrees with Kahn on social issues such as gay rights and abortion, said he isn’t an anti-tax candidate but wants to take a more “realistic” approach to balancing the budget.

Among the other key issues, Hovde said he plans to address issues regarding the Minnesota economy by cutting taxes for small businesses and providing health care to the uninsured.

“We can’t continue to raise taxes on everything throughout the state of Minnesota,” Hovde said.

Hovde also stressed his support for a University-wide tuition freeze, which Kahn has repeatedly voted against.

“It just shows she’s not working for students,” Hovde said.

Kahn, on the other hand, said she feels that tuition freezes could have adverse affects on the University itself.

“Freezing tuition is a real good way to get to a total mediocre institution,” Kahn said.

Hovde’s campaign manager and second-year University political science student Andrew Wagner said that while the odds are against them, he believes Hovde has “as good of a shot as any.”

“It’s still a long shot, but I think we can get pretty close,” Wagner said.

Hovde also said students would be able to relate to him because of his experience as a student at the University.

Hovde also spent five years managing a small window-cleaning business and currently works as a sales representative for Corporate Health Systems.

“I think I have extensive knowledge in running a business, and running a business should be how governments run,” said Hovde.

Kahn feels confident about her performance as a state representative.

“What I consistently do is I run on my record, and I’m proud of it,” Kahn said. “I’ve done that every time I’ve run, and I’ll continue to do it.”

-Luke Feuerherm contributed to this story.