KATHY LOHMER
Candidate for House District 56A
YOUR NEIGHBOR ... YOUR CANDIDATE ... YOUR VOICE
ABOUT KATHY LOHMER:
Kathy and her husband Greg have been Lake Elmo residents for 21 years. They have four sons and two daughters-in-law. Kathy has served in many capacities as an active volunteer in her community and church. She has been a "Reach to Recovery" volunteer, and started support groups for the Spina Bifida Association. She has worked in Scouting and Courage Youth Sports (an organization which helps disabled kids play a variety of sports, from wheelchair basketball to track and field and floor hockey). She was a medical office administrator, and she and Greg have owned a small business for over 30 years. Kathy and Greg have been members of Stillwater Evangelical Free Church for twenty years, and have served actively in many leadership roles. Because of her oldest son's medical condition, Kathy chose to work at home as his main caregiver addressing therapy and post-surgery care. For twelve years she home schooled her four sons, and operated a home schooling cooperative she founded for 45 families, which is still active today.
Kathy believes in giving families options regarding education. Their family utilized a combination of home school, public and private schools.
Kathy is a 25-year breast cancer survivor. Kathy and Greg's oldest son, Nick, was born with Spina Bifida and has had over 60 surgeries. As a result of their long and personal relationships with doctors, hospitals and the medical community,
Kathy is passionate about preserving the health care system of this country. A major priority for Kathy is to see healthcare remain in the private sector with reforms that concentrate on tort reform, reducing or eliminating mandates on insurance companies and allowing insurance to be purchased across state lines.
Kathy is a Blue Star mom who supports our troops. Their son, Chris, is a Captain in the Army and has just returned from his second deployment to Iraq.
Kathy has the utmost respect for the Constitution - both the United States Constitution, and that of the State of Minnesota - and believes they were written as guides for governing. She is concerned that the current representation has chosen to ignore these founding principles. She feels that we have too much government interference in the lives of our people. She believes that taxation and spending have become too great a burden on the productive in our society and on future generations, and that our spending is quickly becoming unsustainable. Kathy stands strong in promoting free enterprise and a free market system in all areas of commerce.
Kathy and Greg recognize that Minnesota is a great place to live, a wonderful state in which to raise a family, and is unparalleled in its environmental splendor and diversity. Kathy strongly believes that Minnesota needs policies to encourage economic growth and private sector jobs in order to remain a solvent, productive and dynamic state, and that income-producing jobs that private sector businesses create are vital to economic growth and job security in this great state.
KATHY LOHMER IS ENDORSED BY:
Republican Party of Minnesota
Minnesota Farm Bureau PAC
Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life PAC
Voices of Conservative Women
Minnesotans for Personal Choice and Competition in Health Care
SUPPORT FOR KATHY LOHMER
Public Leaders Rally Around Kathy Lohmer:
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"Kathy Lohmer will make a great State Representative! Kathy's life experience as a mother of four and as a small business owner for nearly 30 years make her just the sort of common sense conservative Minnesotans need in the Legislature. Kathy will work hard to keep and attract new jobs to Minnesota, reduce and reform government, and put power back into the hands of citizens."
- Tom Emmer
Republican Candidate for MN Governor
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"As the West Lakeland Township Board Chair for 41 years and as a State Representative, our major concern has always been to keep taxes low. We support Kathy Lohmer and believe she will work hard to protect the pocketbooks of the hard working tax payers of Minnesota at the Legislature."
- John and Harriet McPhearson
Community Voices Speak for Kathy Lohmer:
"Kathy cares deeply about the people of our state and understands the issues that affect hard working Minnesotans. She leads by example with a great work ethic and a heart for service. She is a Pro-life advocate and conservative that respects the dignity of people. She believes in limited government and individual responsibility. I believe Kathy will fight courageously to reduce government spending and reduce taxes. She is pro business and knows the importance of private sector job growth. Kathy stands on principle and perseveres. I am confident she can win. I urge you to vote with me for Kathy Lohmer this November."
- Paul Esch
President of Breakthrough Business Success, Inc.
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"As a lifelong resident of the Stillwater area, it is my honor to endorse Kathy Lohmer as our next
State Representative. Kathy exudes the moral integrity that is so important when it comes to representing our district. Kathy fully understands that the people of our district are hard working, family oriented, self reliant, good neighbors and strong citizens. She understands this because she too encompasses all of these great characteristics. This is why I know that she will represent US very well in St. Paul."
- Erik Ogren
Baytown Township resident
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"As a physician who is concerned about maintaining the quality of health care, I have been impressed by Kathy Lohmer's commitment to acquiring knowledge about the health care industry. She does the necessary research to ask relevant questions and listens to the viewpoints of professionals who work in health care."
- Todd Arsenault M.D.
West Lakeland resident
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"Our wonderful country needs to get back on track as soon as possible, and Kathy Lohmer's knowledge and dedication is exactly what we need. Her passion to get to us where we need and deserve to be is not only impressive, but refreshing. We need her on our team."
- Chris Addington, R.N.
Baytown Township resident
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"We have owned and operated our family restaurant business in Lake Elmo for 30 years. Kathy Lohmer knows that our state can not TAX & SPEND our way out of the recession we are currently in. These are very fragile times! Elect Kathy Lohmer as our representative in District 56A!"
- Ed Gorman
West Lakeland resident
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"As a public school math and science teacher, a mother, and a concerned citizen in this great nation, the life God has granted to each of us is our most precious gift. Thus, this gift must be respected and honored when we choose who will represent us and our beliefs in a civic capacity. As a pro-life candidate, I know Kathy honors this gift. I support her bid for a seat in the Minnesota House."
- Denise Kapler
Public school teacher, Woodbury, MN
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"I am confident that Kathy Lohmer is dedicated to serving our community by promoting smaller government, more choices in education for our families, and protecting the liberties that we so cherish. I ask that you join me in supporting her so we can begin to make a difference in the great state of Minnesota!"
- Kristin Drenckhahn
Woodbury parent and public school employee
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"Kathy Lohmer believes, like me, in the conservative view of personal responsibility, limited government, and traditional American values. Join me in supporting and voting for Kathy for Minnesota State Representative, District 56A."
- Ross Serold
Retired 3Mer
TRICK OR TREAT -- YOU DECIDE!
Viewpoint from Kathy Lohmer
It's the Halloween/Election season. What do these two have in common? Halloween is about dressing up and pretending you are something or somebody that you are not. Unfortunately, for many politicians, election season is just that.
Four years ago Julie Bunn took a sharp turn from her left leaning political views to campaign in District 56A. Suddenly she could be found sounding like a conservative. She fooled enough people and ended up as our Representative in St. Paul.
In 2008 she put the mask on again to run against me. In a deplorable name-calling campaign, Julie Bunn once again claimed to be the great moderate. Presto - no sooner had she been voted in, than she returned to her old liberal Democrat self. Now she is running again, this time claiming to be "in the center" and trying to tell us that she often votes against her own party. The truth is that Julie Bunn almost never votes against her own party. Legislation on which she has voted during her past two years in office, she has voted the same as the other DFL Representatives in the House 98% of the time, even voting with her party for job-killing tax increases. From her liberal voting record, people in this district now realize the masquerade.
Ms. Bunn is not being honest. She claims we agree on health care. This is simply not true. Julie Bunn wants to create a public health insurance program that competes with private companies, and at the same time, makes it harder for private companies to stay in business. She has boasted repeatedly, that a variety of committees and commissions are already at work crafting legislation that could lead to an entire takeover of the healthcare industry; thus implementing a model of European socialism here at home.
Ms. Bunn likes to remind us that she is the only economist at the Legislature. How has this benefitted you or your family? Don't forget, we had a 2.2 billion dollar surplus four years ago and we are now facing a six billion dollar deficit. This is 8.2 billion dollars- money out of the hard-working taxpayers' pockets! When she is asked about solutions, raising taxes is part of her equation. Ask yourself, can we afford another two years of Julie Bunn?
Our legislature is sorely in need of people with genuine honesty and integrity. We need members with a variety of real-world maturity. We need citizens who have owned small businesses, community volunteers, and folks who have life experiences in many other areas, who will bring with them plenty of reasonable and practical ideas. We need people who want to do the right thing for their fellow citizens, and not to be career politicians.
I, Kathy Lohmer, am that person. I know how to work together with people. I know how to balance a budget. As a cancer survivor and mother of a child with a disability, I fully understand medical issues. I also understand military issues because my son served in the army. In addition, I understand the problems facing the elderly because I have helped with hands on care over the past ten years. I have integrity and I will not say things just to get elected. I will tell you at the door exactly what I believe and what I plan to accomplish. I want to work together, but I won't play games at the expense of the people.
I believe it is time for a change of representation in this district. I am asking for your vote on November 2. Please vote Kathy Lohmer for State House.
Kathy Lohmer
Candidate for House District 56A
PRIORITIES OVER POLITICS
A Message from Kathy Lohmer
OUR STATE The current condition of our state and federal government is in an unprecedented decline. This is the result of our Representatives forgetting what is "real," and they continue to be disconnected from their constituents. Americans in general, specifically we Minnesotans, have common sense and strong values. These values should be reflected in those who represent us in Saint Paul. Rest assured, I will represent the voice of this district's hard working people. I will work to bring common sense back to the legislature.
Today, special interest is too large and politicians are too small to effectively move forward and fix problems in Minnesota. What is needed is a leader who will be a principled voice for the constituents. I am committed to be that voice and fight for the individual against special interests. We are tired of bail outs while being asked to open our wallets to pay for programs that give hand outs. Are you not weary of government subsidies that ultimately raise your taxes, threaten your jobs, and take away your financial security and freedom? When making decisions at the capitol, I will NOT forget the families who are struggling to pay their mounting bills. My promise to you is to bring back value based decision making that restores Minnesota's health and your financial freedom.
YOUR VOICE We need to shift away from politicians like Julie Bunn, who in an effort to grow government, continues to put pressure on Minnesota workers and their families. I will carry your message of sacrifice to Saint Paul, and tell fellow legislators that we cannot afford to see our taxes increased as our 401Ks drop. We must protect our jobs, and promote a strong local job market. We must encourage well paying private sector jobs so that our retirements aren't delayed. We must also tell our government to stop growing our debt, so that our seniors won't be forced out of retirement, and our children will have the promise of a future. In order to achieve this stability, government must start respecting our communities by being fiscally responsible and acknowledging that people matter. It's time to reconnect you with your Representative.
OUR COMMUNITY My value-based positions reflect what we share as mainstream Minnesotans. We keep it real! What you hear from me at your door will be what you hear on the floor of the chamber. Your voice will be carried through the halls of the capitol. I will be there to make our community's needs a priority.
Let's remember that ideas matter when we address our state's budget solutions. These solutions include revisiting our tax rate. Minnesota is among the most least competitive states for business in the United States. We need to reduce spending and curb entitlement programs to those who are not Minnesotans. Lastly, our government needs to erect guard rails that protect choice and quality in regard to our personal health care. This is best achieved by working for transparency in pricing while promoting responsible tort and insurance reform. A total systematic overhaul that disregards our constitutional rights to protect our own health is not what Minnesotans want. There are better solutions in these areas that affect our Minnesota workers, families, and businesses. Let's work together to move Minnesota forward one family at a time.
I look forward to hearing from you as we campaign this summer and fall. However, if I miss you at the door, or during the local fairs and parades, please call or e-mail me with any questions, comments or concerns. I will welcome your feedback as a neighbor and respected constituent: We can make a difference...together.
Sincerely,
Kathy Lohmer
VOICES OF LIBERTY
Aired on Valley Access Cable Channel 16, schedule below:
Annette Meeks/Christopher Burns
10/13 - 6:00 p.m.
10/14 - 2:00 a.m., 6:00a.m., 11:00 a.m.
Dan Hall/Karin Housley
10/15 - 6:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m.
10/16 - 5:00 a.m., 12:00 noon
John Kriesel/Ted Lillie
10/20- - 6:00 p.m.
10/21 - 2:00 a.m., 6:00a.m., 11:00a.m.
Annette Meeks/Christopher Burns
10/22 - 6:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m.
10/23 - 5:00 a.m., 12:00 noon
Pat Anderson/Dan Severson
10/26 - 6:00 p.m.
10/27 - 3:00 a.m.
Chris Barden
10/29 - 6:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m.
10/30 - 5:00 a.m., 12:00 noon
Letters to the Editor in Support of Kathy Lohmer:
My dear friends,
We all know by now the old saying about some people "talking the talk" but not "walking the walk." Never has that distinction been made more clearly than the current race for State Representative in District 56A between Julie Bunn and Kathy Lohmer.
Julie Bunn, as a former professor and two term politician, has certainly proven that she is good at talking the talk. Before becoming a candidate for office, Bunn could be found as a contributor to local editorials supporting candidates with extreme left agendas who were, among other things, seeking to dramatically raise your taxes. When she became Julie Bunn the candidate, she was curiously quiet about her stand on taxes and pronounced herself as often as possible as a "moderate." WHAT DID JULIE BUNN ACTUALLY DO? Once elected, it was Julie Bunn who could be seen and heard on the floor of the legislature defending her vote for job killing tax increases. Frankly, I would have less issue with her if she had just said up front to all of us that she would vote to raise taxes and then did what she told people she would do. I would have disagreed with her, but I would have respected her more. Remarkably, she still sends out literature hoping people will believe that she doesn't support the extreme left agenda of her party bosses. Talk 1 - Walk 0
One piece of "talk" that continues to fascinate me is when Julie Bunn begins almost every sentence with, "As an economist ... " Well, let's look at Julie Bunn's economics. Going into her first session in 2007, the State of Minnesota had a budget SURPLUS of roughly $2.5 billion (that's billion with a "B"). At the end of her first term just two years later, the state had a $2.5 billion DEFICIT. Every family that sits down at their kitchen table each month to pay their bills knows you can't spend what you don't have. However, even though she knew the precarious position the state was in, and given another term to apply her extra special "economist" skills, WHAT DID JULIE BUNN DO? What she did was keep on spending, allowing the state budget deficit to balloon to a record estimated $6 billion. So, in just four years, Julie Bunn has managed to spend our state budget $8.5 billion in the wrong direction. No matter how Julie Bunn wants to label herself, that's bad economics. Talk 2 - Walk 0
In direct contrast is Kathy Lohmer. I have never known another human being that walks the walk like Kathy. When Kathy Lohmer talks about Healthcare, she does so as a mother of a child that was born with spina bifida; a child that has endured over 70 surgeries. She does so as a survivor of breast cancer since the age of 31. When Kathy Lohmer talks about Education she does so as a mother that has had her children attend public school, private school and home school. When Kathy Lohmer talks about the economy and business, she does so as a small business owner of over 34 years. When Kathy Lohmer talks about understanding what military families endure, she does so as a parent of a son that has been deployed to Iraq - twice. Kathy and her husband Greg's leadership roles in Courage youth sports, the MN Spina Bifida Assn., Boy Scouts, church, youth athletic teams, home school co-ops (and the list could go on) are further evidence of what Kathy Lohmer has done - what she has walked.
Voters of District 56A, they say that the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. In other words, it's not what people say they will do, but what they have actually done that is the best predictor of their future actions. Talk vs. Walk. You could take Julie Bunn's word for it, or you could look at Kathy Lohmer's lifetime of experience and service.
On November 2nd, you decide.
Mike Charron
State Representative, District 56A - 2005, 2006
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Your View: Lohmer will work to promote fiscal responsibility
Published: Thursday, September 16, 2010 2:29 PM CDT
Allow me to declare up front that in the coming November election, I will be casting my vote for Kathy Lohmer for District 56A State Representative. This is not because I harbor some sort of blind loyalty to a particular party or candidate, but simply because to me she's clearly the best choice, and here are some reasons why.
I am convinced that Kathy Lohmer can and will work to find more innovative ways for state government to operate, rather than increasing the budget as its only recourse. The sad fact is that our current state government is the most fiscally irresponsible assembly we've had in 150 years.
Embarrassingly, our own representative, Julie Bunn, can't and won't stop boasting about her self-proclaimed leadership role in the creation of that condition. That role includes devising and sponsoring legislation to confiscate personal assets and thwart prosperity, and voting for billions of dollars in higher taxes and budget deficits, making Minnesota the 10th largest budget-deficit state in the country.
I am also convinced that Kathy Lohmer can and will work to reduce fraud and wasteful spending. There's not much research required to discover that, under the so-called leadership of Julie Bunn, we have a plethora of new and wasteful programs, programs that invite outright abuse and fraud. Even so, Julie Bunn continues to champion "wink-and-a-nod" legislation to reward special interests for their ability to exploit the system and purloin our resources.
We need representation that can keep government growth equal with state economic growth. We need representation that will work to reprioritize and make better use of existing resources. Government spending in Minnesota has increased about 30 percent while the economy has stagnated, and according to Julie Bunn, that's supposed to be some sort of an accomplishment.
Under the so-called leadership of Julie Bunn, Minnesota has "risen" to become the fifth highest in income taxes in America. And I for one am very unhappy about that. We need a new, responsible attitude in the House. We not only need different results, we need better results.
Kathy Lohmer can and will work to promote fiscal responsibility. Kathy Lohmer can and will work to reduce fraud and wasteful spending. Kathy Lohmer can and will work to keep government growth equal with state economic growth. This is why I will be voting for Lohmer in the coming November election, and I encourage all my District 56A neighbors to do the same.
Jim L., Woodbury
Radio ads on KLBB 1220, paid for and sponsored by Friends of Kathy Lohmer:
Script for 10-second spot:
Hello, I'm Kathy Lohmer. Please continue our founding fathers' dream of Freedom, by casting your vote tomorrow. Thank you for your support and please enjoy this Patriotic selection as a gift from me, Kathy Lohmer.
Script for 15-second spot:
Are you tired of being the government's money tree? I'm Kathy Lohmer. Let's not leave our children and grandchildren with massive debt. I will work hard to put your money back in your pocket. Please vote for me, Kathy Lohmer on November 2nd.
Script for 30-second spot:
Hello, I'm Kathy Lohmer, and I'm asking for your vote on November 2nd. I pledge to listen - not just to your concerns, but to your ideas. We Minnesotans are creative, self reliant, and hard working. Let's work together to get jobs and the economy rolling. Minnesotans have common sense. It's time we had legislators who will listen, stick to principles, be fiscally responsible and preserve our freedoms. I, Kathy Lohmer, pledge to to do just that! |
