Karin Housley for Senate

Nov 5

To everyone who helped with our campaign –

All of the Housley For Senate signs have all been taken down, I’m rested and I have one last thing to do to wrap up…and that is to thank a lot of people. These campaigns truly are grassroots operations, so when you hear those words from a politician, it isn’t a cliché, it’s the truth. There are so many people who volunteer their time, money, energy & resources to a candidate that without their support, you’d never get off the ground.

First off, all of us at TEAM HOUSLEY have a lot to be proud of. This area hasn’t had a Republican Senator in its history, so to even get as close as we did was a feat in and of itself.  This is the closest to winning a Republican has come in the district…ever! Not to mention, to run against the Sieben name (an entrenched name in politics, and our district), and a three-term incumbent. There were a lot of hurdles to overcome out of the gate, and we did…but we came up short by 606 votes. Sieben got 51% of the votes, and TEAM HOUSLEY got 49%. Close, but no cigar.

I’m a numbers person, and I’ve gone over the numbers in my head, on paper and run the darn thing thru numerous spreadsheets to see where we could have made up the 606. Could we have knocked on one more door? Made one more phone call? Sent one more marketing mailer? Placed another giant sign somewhere? Did the SSP parade being rained out effect us? (Yes, this did go thru my mind.) I’m not sure, but I do know, we made HUGE gains over the last time this senate seat was up for election.

The numbers broke down like this on Tuesday, Nov.2, 2010:

Karin Housley – 15,206 votes

Katie Sieben    -  15,812 votes

In those numbers though were some very bright spots!

We won the Hastings Area, where the Sieben name is almost on every street corner. Housley 51%, Sieben 49%. When Sieben ran in 2006, she won this handily by getting 67% of the vote. So an 18% gain is almost unheard of on her family turf.

We also made vast gains on my home turf of South St. Paul, where Sieben lost 17% of her registered voters.

Here is how it broke down & where we made huge headways in the Senate race over the Republican candidate vs Sieben in 2006.

Hastings Area (Nininger & Denmark Twp included) we gained 18%

South St. Paul we gained 17%

St. Paul Park/Newport we gained 15%

St. Marys Point we gained 15%

Cottage Grove we gained 13%

Grey Cloud Island we gained 12%

Afton we gained 10%.

Even with all those gains, we needed 606 more votes.

In 2006, Sieben won 65% of the 31,987 voters; in 2010, she took in 51% of the 31,018. Overall, that’s a 14% gain for TEAM HOUSLEY!…but we needed an overall 16%. 606 votes short. I think I know where they are too.

None of this would have been possible without a lot of hard work from so many people. I get all choked up when I think of how much work everyone put into it, just to come up a little short. I did not want to disappoint anyone, but we left it all out on the ice…and we now have months to reflect.

First of all, I have to thank my husband Phil…who I promised a year ago that he wouldn’t have to do very much to help on the campaign. I just asked that he show up at a couple of fundraisers. He went above and beyond that, and quite honestly, I saw a side of him that made me very proud I married him 25 years ago. He knocked on doors, made phone calls, put in signs, took down signs, signed autographs, ran the parades, blew up balloons, dialed for dollars and managed our family for eight months straight. He has now perfected my lasagna, and claims to make it even better. Just ask him. Thank you, Phil OutHousley.

Also, to my children for everything they did to help out their crazy mom. Besides lending a hand with all of the above, thank you for being such great kids and making Dad and I very proud. Thanks for allowing me to call family meetings so I could cry, laugh, yell and boss you around for the past eight months (and 23 years). You didn’t ask to be part of this, but you did it, and did it without complaining. You represent our family out in the big world in a big way…and you did it with the utmost respect. You should hold your head high…and then give me a hug. I love you so very, very much, and you make everyone & everything around you so much better by just being you. Thank you, Taylor, Reide, Wilson & Avery.

Also to my parents Pete & Jeanette, and my two sisters, Kirsten & Jana & their families. Your support meant the world to me; in every which way you were able. From parades, to cutting rebar, to doorknocking to phone calling. Bryon, Karin, Brynna, Leah, Mac, Alaine, Austin & Ahren…I am so lucky to call you family.

To my Uncle Lyall – you know why. You’re a genius, and it took me 46 years to be able to tap into it. The party is lucky to have you in their camp & our family is even luckier.

My campaign manager – Chelsey Jones. If you thought she was a great hockey player…holy, you should see her be the boss of someone. It’s no surprise that she was a star athlete! With her dedication, passion & work ethic, the world needs to watch out for Chelsey Jones. She’s a rock star. Thanks for putting up with me, my moods, my crazy theories, my constant change of plans and the signs rattling in the back of your truck. Deal with it…and always choose the orange pop. Vegas, here we come.

Thru Thick & Thin – Jacki Peterson & Greg Wilwert. Couldn’t have done it without you two! xoxox  Thank you, thank you, thank you. Here’s to new friends & a lifetime ahead of us!

Gregg & Dax – You guys are the best apps…and I’d do the iPhone mailer again (& again) in a heartbeat. There is nobody better in the business.

My right arm & business partner – Julie Johnson. Thanks for keeping the business together, moving forward and making this our year best ever!! Also, thanks for being Piglet to Pooh. No hugs, just donuts with sprinkles, please.

Radio Show Producer – Kate Larson – the show got 100 times better when you came on board. Thanks for all the fun you brought to the table!

Ryan Swainey – You were a genius as the core of the campaign. Can you run Cottage Grove P-4 & P-11 one more time? Just for the fun of it? Then spin them odds/evens with only 2s, 3s & 4s?  FYI, we kicked butt in 4 & 10 – 55% baby.  Thank you for your patience, your time & your remarkable brain. You’re a great dad & friend.

Fundraising – Every campaign has to raise money, and my fundraisers were amazing! Thanks Jennifer Thompson & Linda Cummings for everything you did, and all the places you went. Thanks for the invites, the RSVPs, the mailings, (& doorknocking & sign placement) & just being so darn organized! You’re the best!

Fundraisers & Donations – To everyone who held a fundraiser and who donated. Your support meant the world to Phil & me. Our paths will cross again…you made this campaign so much fun, and allowed us to bring it the extra mile.

Treasurer – Kari Rominski – Who knew from a simple, “What do you think of the Stillwater Public Schools?” phone call from me in 2000, that this is where we’d end up? Thanks for being such a great friend, neighbor and amazing treasurer. Let’s have wine forever together.

Parades – Uff da. So many people to thank for the parades. First, Dan Johnson, Julie, Matt & Anthony Johnson, & Tom Willenbring, Vicki Campbell, Karin Kruzel and ALL THE PARADE GOERS. I think the parades alone got us at least 10% of the voters. I would hear it when I was doorknocking… “I love your parades! Are all your friends that much fun!” Yes. They are. Thanks for all the work you put in, the enthusiasm you brought & the candy you threw. You make the best party on wheels!

Doorknockers – Chelsey, Jackie, Greg, Colleen, Angela, Anita, Madi, Ashley, Sonny, Rachel, Craig, John, Janis, Bob, Bill & everyone else who dropped literature.  Doorknocking with you at my side, or across the street doing the odds, made it all worth it. Sorry for the dog bite, Chels.

Drivers – Greg, Steve & Paul – Everyone needs a driver with an iPad. Thanks for keeping us going on our tireless walks about town, bringing us water, coffee & treats, & picking us up on any street that isn’t named Sieben.

Sign Guys – Dan, Steve, Bryon, Greg, Phil & Kevin and to all those who put signs in their yard! And to the guys at the Public Works who would alert me to their extra packages out back. Thank you!

Phone callers – To Derrick for your organization throughout this campaign. Your help was priceless. Also, to everyone who made a phone call for me for signs and in the last week. It was a huge help! Thank you. I really appreciated it. I didn’t know I had so many friends…call me if you ever need anything. Seriously. I will help.

Photography – Sandi – couldn’t have done it without you! Thank you (and your Photoshop skills too.) I love you.

Media – Katy Rominski – Thanks, KT! You got us off the ground! I really appreciate it. There’s a future there for you in the media! Thanks to Bob Bruce too! Also to Brett Dugan for my never ending calls at 6 AM his time. Jack Hiller was cool dude. Also, Tom Stewart. You did good.

Letters to the Editor – To all of you who wrote letters to the editor. I had no idea I had so many passionately political friends! Special thanks to Jackie, John, Bill & Phil.

Gemini Athletic Wear & Cunninghams Sports – Chris Bonvino, Dave Pietruszewski, & Jim Cunningham for the TEAM HOUSLEY jerseys & shirts! Couldn’t have had a better design team in the country.

The Coffee Exchange Coffee Shop – Lisa Bridges for hosting our Thursday morning coffee talks. We’ll be back!

Voices of Conservative Women – I love you Jennifer and I’ve made a friend for life!

The Housley Family & Century Oak Winery – You know why. And congrats Adam Housley for your engagement to Sister Sister’s Tamera Mowry. Very cool.’

The SSP Class of ’82 (Plus Lisa Marie & Fyck) – I love you guys. Thanks for all your support & friendship. I will not miss girls weekend ever again…I promise.

To everyone in SSP –Thanks for your support. I’m so very proud to call SSP my home. Go Packers!

Park Place Sports Bar – Tim Decker…thanks for hosting our wrap up party, and being such a great friend! They grew ’em good in SSP.

To those with the Republican Party – Senator Amy Koch (now Senate Majority Leader! YAY!), Senator Dave Senjem, Cullen Sheehan, Ben Golnik, Tony Sutton, Michael Brodkorp, Denny McNamara, Laura Brod & Craig Sundag. Your support & knowledge was very much appreciated. I’m proud to call you all my friends. You’ll be seeing me around…

To all my friends on Facebook, Twitter, Email, Text, Snail Mail & Phone – Thanks for all your support, kind words, photos, advice & mostly friendship. I love you all.

It’s been a great experience. An uphill battle, but we did it. We ran uphill…for eight months. You were all amazing. Now rest. You never know if I might call again…..

Thank you!

Oct 31

Oct 31

To the Editor – (published in Hastings Gazette & South Washington County Bulletin)

Housley Wants Your Support

To the editor,

There are a couple of things in life that you never think you’d do, and I’m doing one of them….running for public office. But, it was time. The founding principles of our government are to be a democracy of the people, by the people and for the people. The more I saw our state heading in the wrong direction, and only 25% of our legislators having a business background, it was time for someone ‘of the people’, with business experience and an understanding of how real jobs are created, to serve our state.

I’ve been knocking on doors, talking with residents & meeting with city officials throughout our district all year. The number one issue on people’s minds is jobs and the economy. In order to turn the economy around, we need to get people back to work. I am running for State Senate because I don’t believe the current solution to our job crisis, the “Minnesota Jobs Bill” a.k.a. Bonding Bill, is the right solution. It doesn’t work, and it continues not to work. Another 9,900 jobs were lost in Minnesota in September.

Let me explain how a bonding bill works: A bonding bill is the government deciding who goes to work on which project, and then forces us, the taxpayers, to pay for it. When that project is done, the person is out of work again. These bonding bills only create short term, temporary jobs that burden the rest of us with billions of dollars in debt that must be paid back, with interest, by our children and grandchildren.

Should you elect me, I will work hard to help create real and permanent jobs. My efforts will be focused on getting tax reform that will help small businesses grow and hire more employees. 75% of Minnesotans are employed by small businesses – this is where our attention needs to be, and not on government dictated bonding bills.

I will also work to streamline the regulation and permitting process to enable new small businesses to open sooner and have more capital to hire employees. I will work to help expand domestic and international markets for Minnesota’s manufacture and agricultural goods. I will increase health insurance flexibility for small businesses, and I will work to get effective job retraining to enable displaced workers to meet the needs of today’s job market.

The people of Minnesota are frustrated with career politicians, the status quo, and are looking for fresh ideas, common sense and real solutions. Because of my business background, I have those ideas. I am a small business owner, real estate agent, radio show host and author of a published finance book. I have the experience to lead our state down the right path and get people back to work.

My husband Phil and I have lived all over the United States and Canada and looked forward to the day where we could settle back in our home state of Minnesota and continue to raise our four children here. We’re very lucky to live here, and I will work hard to get our great state back on a prosperous path.

There are two very clear and different choices on November 2^nd; You can vote for a plan that has proven not to work, or ideas that do. I have ideas that will get people back to work and turn our economy around. I ask for your vote on Nov 2. It would be an honor to serve you.

You can call me anytime on my cell at 651-260-8905. Email: Karin@HousleyForSenate.com, Facebook.com/HousleyForSenate

Karin

Oct 31

To the Editors of the Hastings Gazette & South Washington County Bulletin -(published 10/28/2010)

I have known Karin (Locke) Housley my whole life. We grew up together. We started dating in high school and I fell for her because she was smart, fun & driven. It didn’t take long for me to realize that when Karin said she was going to do something, she did it.

She paid for college by herself by working two jobs, and continued to work after we were married as a television news producer.

Throughout my 21-year NHL career, Karin kept our family together. It’s no easy feat raising four children while your husband is on the road for nine months. When a player gets traded to a new team, the family is left behind to pack up. She moved our family ten times, researched school districts, found doctors, dentists, orthodontists, churches, homes & friends in each of the new cities.

Karin’s work ethic and ability to juggle fifteen things at the same time still continues to amaze me. She’s raised four great children, written a finance book published by Random House, speaks to investment groups across the country and hosts a radio show. All the while she continues to grow the real estate business she started eight years ago.

Karin can do anything she puts her mind too, and does. This state will be pleasantly surprised if you vote Karin Housley to the State Senate. Things will really get done.  I ask for your vote on Nov. 2^nd.

Phil Housley, Karin’s husband

St. Marys Point, MN

Oct 18

It’s Neck and Neck!

The Housley For Senate race to the finish line is neck and neck with my opponent, Katie Sieben.  I don’t know if you saw the recent  Pioneer Press, but for the first time in the history of paper, they endorsed a Republican in District 57! That’d be us! TEAM HOUSLEY! People are all abuzz about the race and are excited to see it to the finish line on election night. The Pioneer Press recently ran our bios, plus our race was also the front page of Politics in Minnesota.

That being said, the DFL is now worried they might lose this seat and has stepped into the race. They have A LOT of money and are throwing it in support of my opponent’s campaign. We must counter, but we need money in the last two weeks!

Anything you can do, will help. If we’re going to counter by getting out another mailer, airing a commercial, or offset any last minute attacks they have planned, we have to act fast..and to do that, we need money. We have done a great job thus far of getting our message out early, laying the groundwork, and by doorknocking the district. But in this final stretch, we need cash.

It’s crunch time, and I need your help today! Please donate to the campaign now!

DONATE HERE

Whether it be $5.00, $10.00, $25.00, $50.00, $100.00 or $250.00 – now is the time. If we’re ever going to get a different kind of government, one that is fiscally responsible & focused on creating real jobs, I need you to support the mission. Out with the career politician and in with common sense & real life experience.

Again, please donate. We will be making history together, and changing the state for the better.

DONATE HERE

Upcoming Events

I’d love to have you join us for any of the upcoming events -

Hastings Event at the Green Mill – TONIGHT! – from 6 -8 p.m.

Cottage GroveEvent – This Thursday night –
Thursday October 21^st 6 -8

Cottage GroveHockey Association Event – 10/23/10 Cottage Grove Arena 11:00 – 1:00 p.m  Meet Karin & Phil Housley, and get signed autographed hockey cards! (From Phil, not me).

White Bear Event – Tuesday October 26^th 6 – 8 pm

ONE LAST PARADE!

We will be doing one last parade Saturday October 30th in Cottage Grove. It’s the Monster Bash Parade! Dress in whatever type of costume you wish, just please wear your TEAM HOUSLEY shirt. If you don’t have one, let me know. Line up at 9:00 across from the McDonalds at the School District #833 Service Center, next to Country Inn & Suites. Address for the line up is 7362 E. Point Douglas Road S. Cottage Grove, MN 55016. It’ll be fun!

CALLING ALL LAST MINUTE VOLUNTEERS!

It’s super crunch time in the volunteer department! If you haven’t already volunteered, I need you, and if you have, I still need you! Only 14 days to victory. Muster your energy and let’s get ‘er done!

I need volunteers for two things…phone calling and literature drops. If you have a couple of hours to spare, email me back ASAP. I have lists for you to call to get out the vote. Also, we need people to drop off literature at homes, you won’t have to talk at the door either. Just hang the flyer and move on. Please email me if you can help.

We’re in the third period…a lot can happen, and I need your help now. We have a chance to win this and for the first time in history, the Republicans can be in the majority in the Senate and get the state back on the right track!

Call me (651-260-8905) or email (karin@housleyforsenate.com)  if you have any questions. There’s no time to sleep….

Oct 15

Karin Housley Headlines

Front page of Politics in Minnesota on October 13, 2010.

Sep 14

South Washington County Senate race

September 9th, 2010 7:08 pm CT

By David Dick, Washington County Independent Examiner

From Examiner.com

Normally when a politician wins a legislative seat by a 2:1 margin, the opposing party only puts up token resistance the next time out. This does not appear to be the case in Minnesota Senate district 57 (south Washington County).

Even at first blush the contest looks interesting pitting professional politician, Sen. Katie Sieben (D), against the ultimate hockey mom, Karin Housley [R]. Their resumes couldn’t be more different. Sieben holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration, has worked as a U.S. Senate Aide before being elected to the Minnesota House and is now finishing her first term as state Senator. Housley, on the other hand, has a BA in Communications, has worked as a TV producer, formed an investment club, wrote a book, has her own radio show (AM 1220 KLBB), and operates a successful Real Estate business. Both women give of their time to local charities.

In her time in the legislature, Sieben has shown herself to be pretty much in line with state-wide DFL priorities. She has repeatedly voted to raise your gas taxes. Sieben is in favor of embryonic stem cell research and opposed to restrictions on abortion. She is in favor of in-state tuition for illegal immigrants at the University of Minnesota and State Colleges. Her voting record has garnered a near perfect score from the AFL-CIO.

Housley, on the other hand, doesn’t have a legislative record to examine. Instead we must rely on her website for guidance. There we find proposals to cut taxes in order to get the state’s economy rolling again. “New or expanding businesses pay taxes. … Businesses create jobs, not the government.”

Sieben can point to tax cuts as well but only to targeted industries. “Senator Sieben supported the jobs stimulus bill passed this year. …Significant provisions of the bill include:  an angel investment tax credit to encourage investment in emerging high-tech, bioscience, and green industries …” Housley would reduce all business taxes.

This fall there is a clear choice in South Washington County for State Senate. If you think that the legislature has been doing a good job and that State government can solve the economic mess we are in, then vote for Katie Sieben. If you like the idea of expanding the size and reach of state government, Sieben is your logical choice.

If you think that making it easier for private businesses to operate in Minnesota will get us back on our feet, then vote for Karin Housley. If you think the legislature has failed to do its job, if you think state government needs to shrink, then vote for Housley.

Either woman is well qualified to represent your interests at the capitol. So think about what your own personal priorities are and vote accordingly.

From Examiner.com

Aug 30

The Housley Solutions: Jobs & Economic Development

Being in the real estate business, we saw a turn in the economy before it was publicly declared a “recession.” Homes were taking longer to sell as the pool of buyers was drying up and there weren’t as many potential buyers relocating to the Twin Cities. Then in 2007, it got worse, and we started to see homeowners struggling with their mortgage payments, yet it hadn’t yet made the news.

In 2008, it got even worse, with many homeowners being upside down on their mortgages and a large percentage of them going into foreclosure.

Tens of thousands of Minnesotans have lost their jobs, endured pay cuts, benefit cuts and reduced hours. Minnesota’s poor business climate has contributed to this financial demise. Our anti-business tax, regulatory, and job creation climate has made this recession worse for Minnesotans than it really had to be.

It’s no surprise that this is where we ended up. It’s a logical result of public policies enacted by our legislature that have handcuffed our employers, employees and everyone else who has tried to grow a small business, pay taxes, give back to their community and keep the state moving forward productively.

So what are some solutions?

• Ease the tax burden on small businesses. 75% of Minnesotans are employed by small businesses. The only way a small business can expand is if they have more capital, more cash at the end of the day. If the government consistently dips their hand into the bottom line of local businesses, there is nothing left for expansion, growth, i.e. hiring more employees. This is exactly where we’re at right now. Our businesses are frozen, as they can’t afford to be taxed another penny. We will see more and more businesses close their doors in 2011, if something isn’t done to change this on Nov. 2^nd. This isn’t a cliché, or a scare tactic, or someone making up theories because they want to get elected, it’s the truth. Talk to your small business owner down the street. They’ll tell you what they’re feeling & the crunch they’re under. They’ll also give you this same solution.
• Reduce license and permit fees on job providers to be no higher than in neighboring states. Again, when a business is deciding on where to base their headquarters, these license and permit fees add up, and a business will move to wherever their bottom line is the healthiest. MN is not winning in this category any longer.
• Reduce corporate income taxes. Contrary to popular belief, all corporations are not bad. They employ people. Corporate income taxes are not paid out of business profits, but passed thru to the consumer in the form of higher costs for the product. If they can make their end cost to the consumer cheaper, they will move elsewhere, where the corporate income tax is lower. This too is not fiction…remember Northwest, Honeywell and State Farm Insurance. Do we want to lose Target, 3M, Ecolab, General Mills & Medtronic too? If they have to continue to trickle down Minnesota’s corporate income tax to the cost of the product & end consumer, we will.
• Cut capital gains taxes. Minnesota has one of the highest personal income tax rates in the country, and unlike some states, gives no preference for capital gains when calculating income tax. Here’s the scenario that is currently happening in our state… A resident owns their investment for years, it earns interest (proportionate to inflation) & upon retirement they want to liquidate some of their investments to now use as income. When looking at the bottom line when selling their investment, a Minnesota resident will move to tax-friendlier state, like Florida, to take advantage of their lower capital gains tax. Minnesota residents have already moved to Florida, living there for six months and a day to get residency and then sell their investment. MN then gets zero of that tax dollar. Last I checked, something is better than nothing when it comes to income.
• Create a “one-stop shop” all new business permits, licenses and fees to make our state more customer-friendly for new businesses. Currently small businesses who are trying to do the right thing upon start-up, are burdened with poor response time in obtaining permits and licenses. Minnesota’s business regulations are cumbersome & small business owners should be able to make one call or one stop to secure the permits and pay the fees necessary to begin operation. Our state needs to become more user-friendly in helping our businesses comply.

New or expanding businesses pay taxes. New or expanding businesses pay more wages to more employees who pay taxes. The net result is more revenue for the state to fund its needed priorities through private sector job creation that benefits everyone. The alternative, attempting to fund state government through tax increases on individuals and small business owners works to stop job increases in the state and takes money out of the economy to pay for more government.

Businesses create jobs, not the government.

Aug 13

Here’s the Schedule of Events!

Team Housley Parade Line up at 10:00 AM. We’re Unit #26…Look for the Balloons!

Aug 11