Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Monday, May 12, 2008

Denied GOP nod, Olson might run as independent

By The Associated Press

ST. PAUL (AP) — State Representative Mark Olson says he might still run for reelection as an independent after his Republican Party constituents endorsed someone else to run for his legislative seat.

Olson tells the St. Cloud Times that he is “finding good support and numerous requests” for such a decision. Last week, former Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer won the GOP endorsement for the Sherburne County-area seat Olson has held since 1992.

Olson, of Big Lake, was convicted last summer of a domestic assault charge and subsequently expelled from the HOuse Republican caucus. At the district convention, Olson received an endorsing speech from his wife Heidi, who he was convicted of assaulting.

Olson says he didn’t have much time to lobby delegates personally because the Legislature was keeping him in St. Paul.

Olson says he plans to make a final decision by spring or early summer. The DFL-endorsed candidate Steve Andrews of Big Lake Township.

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