Posted on 03/14/2010 9:10:30 AM PDT by WOBBLY BOB
State Sen. Pat Pariseau began her long political career on a lark.
Her husband "was the one interested in politics — especially Barry Goldwater" in the 1970s, she said, and he attended a Republican caucus with some high school buddies.
Over breakfast the next morning, Ken Pariseau had a surprise.
"He said to me, 'You're a delegate,' " she recalled last week from her St. Paul office. "I said: 'What on earth are you talking about? What am I going to do? ' "
Despite her misgivings, she went to that year's Republican convention.
"He thought I might enjoy it," said Pariseau, 73, of Farmington. "And the funny thing is, I did enjoy it."
Nearly 40 years later, and after more than two decades in the Minnesota Senate, Pariseau is still enjoying the ride. But, she said, it's time to let someone else hop on. She'll retire when her term ends this year.
Although she was not a hunter, Pariseau spent much of her Senate career focusing on hunters' and gun-owners' rights, issues also important to her husband. Ken Pariseau, a farmer by trade, was an avid hunter, angler and trapper. He died in 2006.
(Excerpt) Read more at twincities.com ...
Pat and I would always chat at the Dakotea County Fair each August. She never forgot a name or a face. She remembered you from your letters and phone calls. That’s the quality kind of person she is. We’ll miss her dearly.
Thr good news is that Dave Thompson has Pat’s blessing and endorsement, which in this district.....is a powerful thing!
Dave could be her replacement? that would be good.
He is running.....
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