Pomeroy: Congress 2006

02/04/2005

Dear friends,

Now that the news has broken in Mankato, I thought I’d better
communicate with everybody about my future political plans.

After much thought I have decided not to run again for Congress in
2006. This came about after a conversation I had with Tim Walz last
December. Many of you already know Tim, or have heard him speak as a
representative of Veterans for Kerry during last year’s campaign. Or
you may have seen him on television or read about him in the
newspaper.

Tim is the award-winning teacher and Minnesota National Guardsman who
was told by Bush operatives that he was NOT welcome at the
president’s rally in Mankato last August. The reason? He had the
courage to speak up for two teenagers, both straight-A students, who
were being denied admittance to the event because they were my sons’
friends.

Tim finally was allowed to stay and see the President, but
immediately afterwards he volunteered to chair the Kerry campaign in
Blue Earth County and work with the Veterans for Kerry.

Tim and I participated in many events together during the campaign. I
remember how impressed I was with his speaking ability, his drive,
and his honest interest in people. I recall thinking, “Tim should run
for Congress someday.”

When Tim asked to meet with me in December, I wasn’t sure of the
reason. But when he said he was considering running for Congress in
2006 and asked about my plans, I knew immediately what my response
would be. I could not think of a better choice than having Tim be the
candidate and the future Representative in Congress for the citizens
of southern Minnesota.

Tim is an excellent candidate, and would be an excellent congressman,
for numerous reasons:

* He was raised on a farm in Nebraska and is a true supporter of family farms.
* He has served his state and country in the Minnesota National
Guard, currently as the Command Sergeant Major of the 1-125th Field
Artillery Battalion headquartered in New Ulm.
* He has been an award-winning teacher and coach for 10 years.
* He has spent two years as a teacher in China, America’s largest
trading partner, and maintains business relationships with companies
and individuals there.
* He is a strong supporter of veterans’ interests, an advocate for
children and families, a fiscal conservative, and a thoughtful,
independent Democrat.
* He is 42 years old (14 years younger than I) and has the future and
energy to long represent this district in Washington.
* His wife, Gwen, is an equally charming and effective campaigner,
having traveled throughout the Midwest during the 2004 campaign with
Elizabeth Edwards and military mothers and wives in support of
America’s veterans and soldiers.

This may seem early to make decisions about elections almost two
years from now. But Tim and I feel that the earlier the Democrats
start the better the chance we have of returning this congressional
seat to the true interests of the citizens of southern Minnesota. Tim
and I know that Democrats are right on the issues; it’s just a matter
of getting the word out.

For all these reasons and many more I felt it was best for the
district to have Tim take on the challenge of campaigning to be your
congressman. And it’s for these reasons and many more that I know he
will well serve all the citizens of this district in the U.S. House
of Representatives.

I want to sincerely thank you for your support, hard work, enthusiasm
and contributions to my campaign this past summer and fall. It was an
extraordinary experience for me, and I hope that I acquitted myself
well in representing your interests, as well as the hopes and desires
of all the citizens of southern Minnesota.

Sincerely,

Leigh Pomeroy
2004 DFL (Democratic Party) Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives
1st Congressional District, Minnesota