Karin Housley for Senate

Don’t Wait Until November To Be Heard

Feb 1

Tonight, February 2, 2010 at 7 PM Minnesotans will gather together in their local schools and government centers to exercise one of our most important rights: the right to organize and express ourselves politically through the precinct caucus system.

What I want to do here at HousleyForSenate.com and over the course of my campaign is educate everyone on the issues, the system & the whole political process. The caucuses are the first step. It’s quite interesting and not that scary once you get the language down.

Okay, I’ll admit it; I’ve never attended a caucus, mainly because I had no idea what it was, what they did there, or if the public was even invited. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always been passionate about my political beliefs, but I thought the only place to voice them was on Election Day.

Wrong. The time to speak up is now, at the caucuses.

Not only is the public invited, they’re encouraged!

What is a Caucus?

A caucus is a meeting of members of a political party to coordinate members’ actions, choose group policy, and/or nominate candidates for various offices. It’s that simple. To clarify, you don’t need to be a card-carrying “member” to attend a caucus, anyone can attend any caucus throughout the state.

Each caucus is broken down into precincts (neighborhoods) depending on an exact street address. Where you live determines which precinct you are in. (Click here to find out which precinct you’re in.)

If you like the caucus, and want to become more involved, you can register at the meeting to become a delegate. Anyone who lives in particular precinct can register to become a delegate of that precinct.

What is a Delegate?

Delegates are elected at the caucuses (after you’ve signed in and registered), with the understanding that they will support their particular party’s candidate. When it comes time for a political party to endorse a candidate, it is the delegates that do so. At some caucuses, there will be two or more candidates vying for the one party’s endorsement, and it is the delegates who get to decide who will be “their” candidate. Local delegates can move on and eventually be the endorsing delegates for higher offices such a governor, attorney general and secretary of state.

In my district, District 57, they have decided to have 217 delegates, representing the 37 precincts throughout Cottage Grove, Newport, St. Paul Park, South St. Paul, Hastings, Grey Cloud Island, Nininger Twp., Afton, Denmark Twp., Lakeland, and St. Marys Point.

What Happens at Caucuses?

Pass Resolutions to the Republican Party of Minnesota’s Standing Platform
Elect the Chair of the Caucus and the Caucus Secretary
Elect Precinct Leaders
Elect Delegates and Alternates to the Local Republican Conventions
Conduct the Gubernatorial Preference Ballot

Why are caucuses important?

Caucuses are important for all of us to voice our opinions and shape the future of our state and party. When you attend a caucus, you’re able to be part of things at the grassroots level. Also, it’s where the platform of what the party stands for is solidified. For an interesting read, print this year’s Republican platform off, as it will be discussed at the caucuses.

There is a lot more information at the GOP Website: (FYI: GOP is the commonly used designation for the Republican party, dating back to 1875 when it stood for Gallant Old Party, then in 1876 became the Grand Old Party.)

BOTTOM LINE: Caucuses are the best way for you to have your voice heard.

Where is your caucus held?

Click here for the caucuses held throughout the state & your Precinct Finder.

I’ll be stopping by the caucus in my district, District 57 to say hello, meet you & try to answer a few questions. District 57’s caucuses are held at these three locations:

Cottage Grove Middle School
9775 Indian Blvd S
Cottage Grove MN 55016-3651

Hastings High School
200 General Sieben Dr
Hastings MN 55033-2486

Kaposia Education Center
1225 1st Ave S
South Saint Paul MN 55075-3253

What happens after that?

After Tuesday’s caucus, there is an Endorsing Convention, sometime later in the month. This is when all ballots have been tallied and the delegates have made their choice – they then announce who gets their endorsement. These happen on different evenings throughout the month, but for District 57, the endorsing convention is on February 27^th at 9:00 a.m. at the Kaposia Education Center in South St. Paul. (Just happens to be my old stomping grounds.)

See? It’s not as intimidating as it all sounds: caucuses, precincts & delegates…they start to roll off your tongue after awhile.

I really hope you’ll consider attending your local caucus and if you’re in District 57, I expect to see you there!

Karin

P.S. Here’s a map of District 57, just because I like maps.

Karin Housley Launches Campaign for MN Senate

Jan 20

January 20, 2010

NEWS RELEASE

Karin Housley Launches Campaign for Minnesota Senate

South St. Paul native says it’s time to replace the career politicians with people who have common sense and real-world experience

St. Mary’s Point, Minn. — South St. Paul native Karin Housley, a successful small business owner, author and mother of four, today announced that she is an official candidate for State Senator in District 57. Housley will seek the Republican Party’s endorsement to take on and defeat incumbent Democrat Senator Katie Sieben.

Housley, who currently lives in St. Mary’s Point, was born and raised in South St. Paul and graduated from South St. Paul High School in 1982. She married her high school sweetheart, Phil, and moved throughout the United States and Canada for 20 years as Phil played out his Hall of Fame career in the National Hockey League.

Along the way, Housley had four children, worked as a television news producer, led an investment club for women and authored an investment book published by Random House.

In 2002, Karin and Phil Housley moved back to Minnesota and settled in St. Mary’s Point. Karin is the owner of a highly successful real estate business and the host of a radio talk show, and Phil is the coach of the Stillwater High School boy’s hockey team. Two of their children are in college, one is a senior at Stillwater High School and one is in middle school.

Housley said her frustration with the career politicians currently in charge of the Minnesota Legislature and their inability to get anything positive done prompted her to run.

“Like most people, I never thought I’d run for political office,” Housley said. “I’m a small business owner. Before that, I was a stay-at-home mom, an author and the ‘CEO’ of the Housley family. I’ve followed politics forever and I’m passionate about my political beliefs, but I always thought I’d just voice these beliefs through my votes. Until now.”

“Our state is in trouble,” Housley continued. “The career politicians in charge at the Capitol cannot get anything positive accomplished for average Minnesotans. And the few things they do get done are usually just payoffs to the special interests, taking our state down the wrong path. At every turn we’re going further into debt. Jobs are being cut, companies are moving out of the state, and tax breaks are being given to people who don’t even pay taxes.”

“I’ve come to realize that just voting every other November isn’t getting the job done,” Housley said. “Our state is in a state of emergency. There is no time to waste. We need to get on the right path, right now. It’s time to replace the career politicians with people who have common sense and real-world experience. The career politicians have had their chance and failed miserably. It’s time for real change.”

When elected, Housley said she will focus her efforts on jobs and education.

JOBS

“Now more than ever, we need to focus on growing our economy and improving our job climate,” said Housley. “We need to keep our businesses here and we need to enact policies that encourage them to create more jobs. I will work diligently to grow jobs in our state by lowering high taxes and fees and easing complicated state regulations. We need to be fiscally responsible, stop runaway spending and stick to a balanced budget.”

EDUCATION

“I am passionate about education,” said Housley. “I am the daughter of two public school teachers, I was educated in public schools, and I’ve sent my kids to public schools. Having lived throughout the country, I’ve also seen public school systems in other states. Minnesotans should be proud of the great public schools we have here, but there is plenty of room for improvement, and no time for slacking. I will work hard to correct the funding formula that creates large disparities between school districts. I will also ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, not squandered on questionable spending programs.”

Additional information about Housley is available on her campaign website at www.housleyforsenate.com. She is also on Facebook and Twitter. Housley encourages participation at the February 2 Republican precinct caucuses held at Cottage Grove, Hastings & South St. Paul. See website for locations.

Senate District 57 includes the communities of South St. Paul, Cottage Grove, Hastings, St. Paul Park, Newport, Afton, St. Mary’s Point, Denmark Township, Grey Cloud Island Township and Nininger Township.

Contact : Karin Housley 651-260-8905

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Karin Housley Announces Run for Senate

Nov 12

Dear Friends,

Recently, I did something that many of you might think is crazy. I decided to run for political office and seek the District 57 seat in the Minnesota Senate. Like I said, crazy, but I’m really excited.

Just where is District 57? It’s the geographic area that includes the cities of South St. Paul (where I was born and raised), Newport, St. Paul Park, Cottage Grove, Nininger, Hastings, Afton, Denmark Twp, and St. Marys Point (where I live now). The district population is approximately 70,000 people.

In our family, like yours and others across Minnesota, past generations have taught us the meaning of public service and the importance of giving back to one’s community. After extensive personal reflection and many discussions with my family, I have determined that serving our community through public service is a similarly worthy goal, and a goal I have made the decision to pursue.

That is why I have become a candidate for the Minnesota Senate.

I look forward to the challenges ahead, but to be successful, I am reaching out to my family, friends and business associates for your financial support of $100, $50, $25 or whatever you can afford.

My fundraising goal is to raise $12,000 before Dec. 31st, the amount Minnesota campaign finance law allows me to raise in 2009. I’ll use that money for campaign brochures, postage, lawn signs, website and newspaper ads that I’m going to need to defeat my opponent.

Please be assured every dollar you contribute will be used on these critical campaign necessities. There is no fancy campaign headquarters to staff or expensive political consultants to pay. Every cent of your contribution will be used on the things necessary to win!

The bottom line is this: I can, and will win with your help!

My opponent is in her first-term and has an undistinguished record of voting lockstep with her party bosses and failing to advocate for the family-friendly tax, spending and education policies our community needs at this time.

Campaigns for State Senate are truly “grass roots” efforts in which an effective organization and the ability to meet voters door-to-door are keys to victory. Defeating an incumbent is not easy, but my campaign committee is well-organized and committed to victory.

Asking for money is not an easy thing to do, particularly in these tough economic times, but in order to win, it is absolutely necessary. In 2010, our state will elect a new Governor, Attorney General, State Auditor and Secretary of State. But no less important is the office of State Senate, and all 67 seats in the Minnesota Senate are up for election, including the district I seek to represent, Senate District 57.

Many are asking, “Why do you want to get involved in politics?”

It’s a good question. At a time when many are disillusioned by politics and our elected officials, I feel it is important that everyday, common-sense folks step up to lead our state. People like you and me. People with a new vision and new ideas who will listen, learn and act. I want to bring all of our visions together and work together to get things done.

We need to move the senate in a fresh, new direction — a direction that respects you, the taxpayer. After all, you’re paying the bills!

There are many challenges confronting our state and I believe a new generation of leaders must face those challenges. Let me just touch on a few issues that face us:

TAXES/JOB CREATION: While Minnesota will never be a low tax state due to our quality of life and climate, as State Senator, I will challenge the old school politicians who want to raise taxes, because they think some people are too successful. We can grow our economy and tax revenues by creating jobs and encouraging small business growth as opposed to punitive tax increases which pit people against each other.

EDUCATION: Lawmakers must ensure students receive a quality, cost-effective education that will prepare them for the world ahead. We must correct our funding formula that creates large funding disparities between school districts and we must ensure the dollars from taxpayers are spent wisely, not squandered on questionable spending programs.

HEALTH CARE: The ever-increasing cost of health care and ridiculous cost of prescription drugs must be addressed. Opening our health care system to competition, increasing consumer-based decision-making in the process and providing greater incentives for those who purchase long-term care insurance are a couple cost-friendly approaches with promise.

But before I can make an impact for us at the Capitol, I need to win the election. That is why I am turning to my family, friends, and political allies to raise the funds necessary to run a successful campaign.

I am sure there are many issues of interest to you that I have not discussed here. Please feel free to contact me by phone (651-260-8905) or email (karin@karinhousley.com) if you would like to know my position on any issue, or if you would like to know more about the campaign, to volunteer or become involved in any way. You can donate online at the DONATE button.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this letter and thank you for any financial support of my campaign you are able to provide.

Sincerely,