Says people of northern Minnesota deserve an honest, issue-based campaign

In a decision that he says parallels his desire to strengthen the region, Marv Ott, Republican candidate for the Minnesota House District 3A, announced this week that he will not accept money from special interests, political action committees or lobbyists, and will rely on campaign contributions only from individual donors.
“The decision to refuse special interest, PAC and lobbyist money is what the people of northern Minnesota deserve,” Ott said. “Going door to door, it is clear that the people want a new type of candidate, not one who accepts special interest money.”
Incubent Tom Anzelc, DFL candidate for the seat, said he is proud his campaign is funded by a wide variety of people and labor groups from the district, all of whom he said work hard for a living.
“I have the enthusiastic endorsements and modest financial support of steelworkers, nurses, teachers, paper makers, service workers, janitors, personal care attendants, plumbers, carpenters, electricians, masons and almost every other kind of labor group in our district,” stated Anzlec in response to Ott’s announcement. “They know that I stand up for workers. If you want to call them ‘special interests,’ so be it. Improving the lives of working people is my interest."
W.D. (Bill) Hamm said he’s glad to see Ott’s move. “As an Independence Party candidate, the only money I can take are individual contributions, no PAC and no special interest money,” Hamm stated in response to Ott’s announcement. “It's a little like swimming upstream, and unlike Tom or Marv, I won't get any party money, either.”
During an election year, candidates for state representative are able to accept up to $6,300 from special interest groups, PACs and lobbyists, according to Ott. Some political analysts contend these special interest groups generally have a single agenda and use money to influence the votes of legislators, he added in his announcement.
“Neither I nor my opponents can stop independent expenditures by political parties from happening, but we can say no to special interest, PAC and lobbyist influence. While I respect their First Amendment right to petition government, special interests, PACs and lobbyists are too powerful, not only in Washington D.C. but at the state capitol as well, and they do not have the best interest of northern Minnesota at heart. My only special interest is the people of northern Minnesota.”
Candidates for state representative who accept partial public subsidy for their campaigns must adhere to strict contribution and expenditure limits. Ott said he is confident his refusal to accept special interest money will not hurt his fundraising goals, noting that over $7,000 has been raised by contributions of $100 or less from citizens throughout the district.
“The outpouring of support is very humbling and affirms my belief that the people of northern Minnesota will appreciate and respect my decision,” Ott stated.
Ott noted that the public can examine the campaign finance reports of candidates by going online to: www.cfbreport.state.mn.us/rptViewer/viewRptsCan.php and searching for District 3A.