It's Official: Larry v. Barry

Our good friend in the blogging and conservative activism world, Barry Hickethier has made it official—He's taking on the Nordeast Minneapolis Goliath of Larry Pogemiller. And he's going to have some fun with the battle. He was endorsed unanimously, will file this morning and released the below statement today.

Time for a change? Sure Larry looks like a young guy, but he has been in office since the earth cooled: Elected: to the House 1980; to the Senate 1982, re-elected 1986, 1990, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2006 Term: 8th.

8 Senate terms, at 4 years each! raising taxes every chance he gets! Yes it's time for a change! Go get 'em Barry.

In their endorsing convention Monday, May 24, 2010, Senate District 59 Republican delegates unanimously endorsed Barry Hickethier of Northeast Minneapolis as their pick to challenge incumbent state Senator Larry Pogemiller in the 2010 general election.

 Barry officially launches his campaign today at the MN Secretary of State’s Office, where he will join fellow Republican legislative candidates in a joint filing ceremony starting at 10 a.m.

 Barry plans to wage a determined, grassroots campaign against Senate Majority Leader Pogemiller.  The out-of-touch incumbent has compiled a long legislative record of supporting policies that burden taxpayers and local business with higher taxes, oppressive regulation and which have limited citizens’ personal freedom.  Barry says he could no longer stand on the sidelines and watch the erosion of our liberty and prosperity by policies which are unsustainable.

 “Like so many people I have talked with, I have become increasingly frustrated with the direction of our government, and decided to run in a grassroots effort to bring government back to the people,” he told convention delegates.  “I believe government should work for the people, not the other way around.  Laws should stem from the basic principle of protecting individual rights and liberties, not limiting them.”

 Barry has lived in Northeast Minneapolis for 12 years where he has been an active community member.  He served more than three years as secretary of the Waite Park Community Council, and has participated in a variety of community volunteer efforts.  He obtained his BS in Finance from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, located in Senate District 59.  He is also the proud father of one son, Todd, who currently attends college in the University of Wisconsin system.

For more information about Barry, visit his web page at www.barryforsenate.com.  Barry will also respond to media inquiries at (612) 703-2632