MORE ON MARKO'S RUN AGAINST ROWLEY
Marko set to challenge Rowley in DFL primary
State Sen. Sharon Marko said she filed papers Wednesday to run in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District, setting up a race against former FBI agent Coleen Rowley in a DFL primary.
"This is a really important election," Marko, DFL-Cottage Grove, told the Associated Press, citing the possibility of Democrats taking back the House. "We need to be focused on the important issues."
The winner of the DFL primary will take on U.S. Rep. John Kline, a Republican.
Marko's filing came two days after Rowley had to apologize to Kline for a doctored photo on her campaign Web site that depicted Kline as the Nazi soldier Col. Klink from the TV series "Hogan's Heroes."
Rowley's campaign said a volunteer inserted the picture, labeled as altered, into a campaign blog entry and that it was up for about 24 hours until campaign officials learned about it.
"I'm not really focused on her; I'm focused on John Kline," Marko said. But she did say of Rowley, "I've just noticed the occasional lack of professional ability."
Responded Rowley: "Well, I know what she's referring to, which is a little mistake that was made on my Web site by a volunteer blogger. I've apologized for lack of professionalism about that. It was kind of hyped-up and made a bigger deal than it should have been, but I did apologize for it.''
Rowley said she welcomed Marko into the race.
"She's right that the issues are extremely important in these upcoming elections," Rowley said. "The focus has to remain on getting rid of John Kline.''
Marko declined to discuss her views on issues, saying she would make those known when she makes a formal statement of candidacy in a few weeks.
Marko, 52, served four House terms before being elected to the state Senate in 2002. She announced last month that she would not seek re-election and was considering a race against Kline.
Marko has at least one high-profile backer: U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, D-St. Paul.
"She's a good friend and outstanding legislator, and would be a wonderful addition to the U.S. House," McCollum said.
Asked if she was dissatisfied with Rowley, McCollum said, "I'm supporting Sharon." But McCollum said she was offended by the Rowley campaign's use of a doctored photo.
"I'm the daughter of a veteran,'' McCollum said. "Anyone who wears our uniform deserves our respect and that includes Congressman Kline."
Ron Carey, chairman of the Minnesota Republican Party, said in a statement: "With Coleen Rowley's campaign continuing to implode in spectacular fashion, it is no surprise an ambitious Democrat like Sharon Marko would decide to file papers in advance of a potential bid for Congress.
"Unfortunately for Marko, I don't think the voters of the 2nd District are going to respond to her brand of out-of-touch liberalism anymore than they did Coleen Rowley's.'' Source: Associated Press, February 1, 2006
State Sen. Sharon Marko said she filed papers Wednesday to run in Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District, setting up a race against former FBI agent Coleen Rowley in a DFL primary.
"This is a really important election," Marko, DFL-Cottage Grove, told the Associated Press, citing the possibility of Democrats taking back the House. "We need to be focused on the important issues."
The winner of the DFL primary will take on U.S. Rep. John Kline, a Republican.
Marko's filing came two days after Rowley had to apologize to Kline for a doctored photo on her campaign Web site that depicted Kline as the Nazi soldier Col. Klink from the TV series "Hogan's Heroes."
Rowley's campaign said a volunteer inserted the picture, labeled as altered, into a campaign blog entry and that it was up for about 24 hours until campaign officials learned about it.
"I'm not really focused on her; I'm focused on John Kline," Marko said. But she did say of Rowley, "I've just noticed the occasional lack of professional ability."
Responded Rowley: "Well, I know what she's referring to, which is a little mistake that was made on my Web site by a volunteer blogger. I've apologized for lack of professionalism about that. It was kind of hyped-up and made a bigger deal than it should have been, but I did apologize for it.''
Rowley said she welcomed Marko into the race.
"She's right that the issues are extremely important in these upcoming elections," Rowley said. "The focus has to remain on getting rid of John Kline.''
Marko declined to discuss her views on issues, saying she would make those known when she makes a formal statement of candidacy in a few weeks.
Marko, 52, served four House terms before being elected to the state Senate in 2002. She announced last month that she would not seek re-election and was considering a race against Kline.
Marko has at least one high-profile backer: U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, D-St. Paul.
"She's a good friend and outstanding legislator, and would be a wonderful addition to the U.S. House," McCollum said.
Asked if she was dissatisfied with Rowley, McCollum said, "I'm supporting Sharon." But McCollum said she was offended by the Rowley campaign's use of a doctored photo.
"I'm the daughter of a veteran,'' McCollum said. "Anyone who wears our uniform deserves our respect and that includes Congressman Kline."
Ron Carey, chairman of the Minnesota Republican Party, said in a statement: "With Coleen Rowley's campaign continuing to implode in spectacular fashion, it is no surprise an ambitious Democrat like Sharon Marko would decide to file papers in advance of a potential bid for Congress.
"Unfortunately for Marko, I don't think the voters of the 2nd District are going to respond to her brand of out-of-touch liberalism anymore than they did Coleen Rowley's.'' Source: Associated Press, February 1, 2006
Tags: Coleen Rowley, Sharon Marko
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home