MARSHALL - Redistricting has put fellow DFLers and friends Rep. Andrew Falk of Murdock and Rep. Lyle Koenen of Clara City in the new House District 17A, and has influenced the pair when it comes to their political futures.
Both will stay in their district, but Koenen will try to make the transition from House to Senate, as he will seek the DFL endorsement for the Senate seat in the new district.
Falk will seek re-election in the Minnesota House of Representatives in House District 17A, while Koenen will run for the Senate District 17 seat. The redrawn Senate District 17 pairs incumbent Sen. Gary Kubly, who is retiring, and incumbent Republican Sen. Joe Gimse of Willmar. Kandiyohi County has shifted from Senate District 13 to 17.
Both Falk and Koenen are life-long residents and have farmed in the area. They have worked closely at the Legislature on rural issues, including economic development, agriculture, veterans' affairs, health care, energy, education, and property tax relief.
"Rep. Koenen and I are deeply committed to creating jobs and strengthening our rural economy," Falk said. "We share the same rural values and will be a very effective team in the House and Senate."
The new Senate District 17 is comprised of the majority of Renville County and all of Chippewa, Kandiyohi and Swift counties. Yellow Medicine and Lac qui Parle counties, currently part of Senate District 20 - Kubly's district, are now in Senate District 16, the current Senate District 21.
"I'm honored to run for the seat Senator Kubly has represented with integrity for the last decade," said Koenen. "Together, Representative Falk and I will make rural Minnesota an even better place for our children and grandchildren."
- Per Peterson