Age: Not available.
Address: 2025 Creekview Court, Red Wing.
Family: Married, four children.
Work history: Secondary teacher in Goodhue and Hastings public schools; an assistant principal at Hastings public schools; and worked for First Federal Bank in Hastings
Education history: Bachelor of arts from the University of St. Thomas; master of arts from the University of Wisconsin- River Falls; specialist degree in educational administration from Winona State University.
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Community activities: Member of the Mississippi River Parkway Commission; involved with the America Legion; U.S. Army Veteran; member of the American Cancer Society; Knights of Columbus.
Government history: Six-term state House of Representative; chairman of the Local Government and Metropolitan Affairs; member of the Health and Human Services and Taxes Committee.
Contact information: E-mail, rep.jerry.dempsey@house.mn
Top three issues:
1. Health care costs.
2. Newly developed funding formula for K-12 education that includes equitable funding.
3. Jobs.
Candidate's statement:
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We need to see to it that the state provides senior citizens with access to health care and develops a long-range plan for transportation.
Five questions of the candidate:
1. Should the state constitution be amended to ban same-sex marriage? Yes.
2. Do you support taxpayer funding for a Twins baseball stadium? Yes. The county in which the stadium is built should pay the tax.
3. Should Minnesota opt out of the federal education program called No Child Left Behind? Yes.
4. Should Minnesota raise taxes to close a budget deficit? No.
5. Should the state provide more funding for education? Yes.
By Matt Stolle
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mstolle@postbulletin.com
Jerry Dempsey is running for his seventh term in the state House of Representatives. He points to his record as a primary reason why people should vote for him again.
"I think I've represented the citizens very successfully," he said. "I listened to both sides of the issues. I represent all people whether they vote for me or not."
Dempsey, a Republican, is chairman of the House Local and Metropolitan Affairs Committee. He also sits on the Health and Human Services and Taxes Committee.
Dempsey said he has used his influence to create a better Minnesota. He successfully pushed for legislation providing funding for the National Eagle Center. He also helped lead the fight to keep the Prairie Island nuclear power plant open, preserving jobs and an important source of energy.
A former teacher and assistant principal, Dempsey said he not only keeps in touch with his district's constituents, but believes the function of the Legislature is to "provide for the common good, not special interests."
During the upcoming legislative session, Dempsey said, legislators need to focus on keeping corporations in Minnesota in order to provide jobs for it citizens. "Jobs are important to every single person in the state."
Another priority is finding ways to provide affordable health care. A third is creating a comprehensive long-range transportation plan that covers highways, transit and commuter rail. Providing adequate funding for K-12 education is also critical. Dempsey said he also believes that the funding formula for K-12 education needs to be reworked to provide more equitable funding for public schools across the state.
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Dempsey said he brings to the Legislature problem-solving skills, a capacity for listening, legislative experience and a vision for making the state a better place to live.
