Tinklenberg Secures DFL Party Endorsement in 6th CD:

Delegates give former Mayor of Blaine first ballot victory with over 72% of the vote

( Andover , MN ) El Tinklenberg was a quick victor on Saturday as Sixth Congressional District DFL delegates gathered at Bunkers Hills Activity Center in Andover and provided him with a first ballot endorsement with over 72% of the vote. Challenger Bob Olson’s received 26% and there were two votes for no endorsement.

Tinklenberg, 58, promptly assured the enthusiastic crowd of delegates and supporters that he would waste no time beginning his general election campaign against incumbent Michele Bachmann.

Tinklenberg said his inclusive and moderate approach would stand in contrast to Bachmann’s hard line extremism. “While Congresswoman Bachmann is telling voters that there is no room in her party for independent thinkers, our campaign will reach out to those who understand that we need to come together to solve difficult problems,” he said.

“Starting today we are ready to take this campaign to the people of the sixth district,” Tinklenberg said. He especially revved up the gathering when he said he would be “a hard working congressman that will fight for what people need most; good jobs at a fair wage; improved roads and bridges; affordable higher education for our children; an energy policy that understands the threat of carbon emissions and the damage they cause to our environment; the North Star commuter rail all the way to St. Cloud; and an end to the billions of dollars we are spending in Iraq,”

Tinklenberg recognized the effort of his opponent, tax attorney and banker Bob Olson, saying his campaign was impressed with Olson’s dedication to issues concerning energy and the environment. “Clearly,” Tinklenberg added, “we will embrace Bob’s proposals in the area of wind power and other alternative energies and make them a part of our success in November.”

Tinklenberg is a former minister in the United Methodist Church , served as Mayor of Blaine and was Commissioner of Transportation in the Ventura administration. He is the father of two sons and one daughter with his late wife, has seven grandchildren, and is stepfather to his wife Terri’s three children.

Bachmann Economic Plan: Get a Second Job

El Tinklenberg

Candidate for Congress in Minnesota's Sixth Congressional District

Blaine--Elwyn Tinklenberg, DFL candidate for the sixth district congressional seat, responded to the comments made by Michele Bachmann on the "economic stimulus package" she is co-sponsoring with other House Republicans. At the announcement, Bachmann was quoted as saying, "I am so proud to be from the state of Minnesota. We're the workingest state in the country, and the reason why we are, we have more people that are working longer hours, we have people that are working two jobs."

Tinklenberg said, "I am surprised by the announcement of an economic stimulus plan co-sponsored by Bachmann and the congressional Republicans. I am not surprised by what is contained in the plan; it consists primarily of another big tax break for large corporations, which is exactly what anyone could have predicted. What surprised me was the fact that when Bachmann was given a chance to speak, she actually took credit for what she's done to Minnesota's economy.

Years of her extremist policies both in the Minnesota Senate and Congress have resulted in a situation where Minnesotans have to work more hours than residents of any other state in the country, just to make ends meet. Minnesota families are not irresponsible. According to the state's economist, Minnesota is in a recession. Headlines across the state talk about the the rising cost of living in Minnesota and yet Bachmann voted against the minimum wage. Bachmann policies areweighing so heavily on their wallets, families can barely hold on.

What Bachmann doesn't seem to understand is that working 2 or 3 jobs isn't a choice for Minnesotans--its a necessity. If Bachmann would spend more time with the constituents of the 6th district, she would realize that they would rather be at home with their families than spending every evening stuck in traffic trying to get from their first job to their second or third job just to provide a decent life for their family. Certainly, hard work is a cornerstone of the American dream. However, paying the bills should not come at the expense of spending valuable time with our families.

The price of our 'workingest' status is that our children are being raised by other people, our marriages are suffering and our sense of community is becoming an unaffordable luxury. Does Bachmann actually believe working 2-3 jobs best supports family values? Is she so out of touch with her constituents that she doesn't realize that while she's wearing it as a badge of honor, being the 'workingest' people in country is a distressing sign of economic troubles for the people in her district?"

Tinklenberg Enters Race for Congress in 6th

Says incumbent has failed to distinguish herself as leader in areas of most concern

ST. Paul, MN El Tinklenberg, the former United Methodist Minister, Mayor of Blaine, and Minnesota Commissioner of Transportation, officially entered the race for Congress in Minnesota's sixth congressional district.

In announcing his candidacy, Tinklenberg told media and supporters in Stillwater, St. Paul, Anoka and St. Cloud today, that after agonizing for months over the decision to enter the race, it was on the day that the 35W bridge collapsed in Minneapolis that he and his family knew what he needed to do.

"The tragedy of August 1, 2007, was a moment of clarity. It was not the fault of any one person, or any one government. But, it was a heartbreaking catastrophe that clearly warned us of the danger of political polarization and the inaction that is a result of it," Tinklenberg said.

"The bridge collapse should forever be a reminder to those of us in public service, that keeping the people safe is our ultimate responsibility. When our political system becomes paralyzed in polarization it can often be at the expense of keeping our families safe. I knew that day that I needed to continue a quest I started over two years ago. My goal then was the same as it is today--to change the direction of this country," he added.

Alluding to inaction on issues of most importance to the working families of the sixth district, Tinklenberg said even more new faces are needed in congress.

"Clearly," Tinklenberg went on, "our current representative from the sixth district did not get the message that people want action and accountability--not acting. They want facts--not fiction. They want production--not pandering. They want hope--not hassle. And they want it now--not later."

"In my experience as a minister and a public official, I can tell that whether it is in their personal lives or in their roles as citizens, more than anything, people want hope. They hope for a better, more secure life for themselves, their families and their fellow man," said the former Mayor.

"To that end," he said, "I am running to provide the people of the sixth district more hope and fewer hassles. Hope for an immediate long range plan for safer and less congested transportation systems, hope for better jobs, secure health care for their families, and policies that protect and preserve our natural resources. And finally, hope for more professionalism and results."

"I promise you, that as your representative in congress, I will not stand by and let this opportunity pass. I will always remember that bridge and the message from the people who where so moved by its collapse," Tinklenberg said.