Posted:  Tuesday, November 11 2008 4:37 AM

     From Rep. Erhardt: As I pick up and store my lawn signs, I take pause to thank all the voters, contributors and volunteers who helped my re-election campaign. What an honor it has been to have your backing. Thanks also to the citizens of Edina who have been my constituents over the past 18 years for the honor of serving them in the Legislature. Again, thank you for your support. Ron Erhardt

Posted:  Monday, November 3 2008 3:03 AM

     As we all tire of political ads and phone calls, remember that each one is telling you how much the candidate values your vote. Voting is the most basic and important act of citizenship, where we get to decide how we are governed. Even after over 200 years, that is still a revolutionary concept. In the race for House District 41A, we have a very clear choice between a pragmatist (Ron), a big government DFLer and a small government except-for-your-private-life Republican. I have met wonderful people who embrace each of these ideas. You get to decide which of these ideas represents Edina. Thank you for voting!

Posted:  Thursday, October 23 2008 12:33 PM

     In addition to the ringing endorsement from the Star Tribune, Ron received a very warm letter from the MN Seasonal Recreational Property Owners. They wrote to cabin owners, “If you value quality representation, bipartisan common sense and good, honest and intelligent governance, then send Rep. Erhardt back to Saint Paul to represent you.” I agree!

Posted:  Friday, October 3 2008 7:19 AM

     Another award for Ron Erhardt! The Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy awarded Rep. Erhardt with its Long Portage Award on October 1 for his courageous four-year effort to pass the transportation bill. “He has voted for what is good for Minnesota, without concern for partisanship,” they said. If you care about the environment, the choice is clear: Re-elect Ron Erhardt.

Posted:  Tuesday, September 30 2008 4:49 AM

     From all across the political spectrum, groups have endorsed Ron Erhardt. That’s what it means to be a moderate independent: you work with lots of different people to get the job done. You listen to a lot of different views to find the common ground of what is good for Minnesota. Ron Erhardt listens to everyone before he makes up his mind. That’s why so many different groups endorse Ron: They know he is working to do the right thing. Take a look at our updated Endorsements page!

Posted:  Saturday, September 27 2008 4:02 AM

     Ron Erhardt sat down with his opponents at the League of Women Voters debate on Thursday. We saw three very different candidates: One with a clear understanding of the financial troubles facing the state and a lot of different tools for fixing those troubles while making progress on reforming education funding and healthcare in Minnesota. One candidate has the drive to reform education and healthcare, but remains silent on how to pay for that or even the looming deficit. One candidate has a utopian view that a radical restructuring of government from the ground up will magically cost less and yield peace, prosperity and happily ever after. You can judge for yourself. The debate will be re-run on cable channel 16 on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m., Thursdays at 2:00 p.m. and Saturdays at 8:00 a.m. or check out a video of the debate from the library.

Posted:  Monday, September 22 2008 10:17 PM

     Ron Erhardt is the 2008 Legislator of the Year, according to the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees. The people who understand how government works know that Ron Erhardt understands, too. 12,500 professionals appreciate the job he does. Congratulations Ron! Pictures coming soon to our “awards” page!

Posted:  Friday, September 19 2008 4:15 AM

     Health care professionals are supporting Ron! The Minnesota Medical Association, Minnesota Nurses Association and the Minnesota Chiropractors Association have all endorsed Ron for re-election, because he understands that in health care reform, quality care comes first. See our “Business” page for more about Ron’s work on health care.

Posted:  Saturday, September 13 2008 5:05 AM

     Thanks to Ron Erhardt, the Highway 62 – 35W Crosstown Commons is only closed for days, not years. When Mn-DOT proposed closing the Crosstown Commons for years during construction, Ron said that was unacceptable. He fought to keep it open as much as possible during construction and to add extra lanes as well. That is leadership you can trust. Thank you Ron!

Posted:  Monday, August 25 2008 7:32 AM

     The Independence Party has endorsed Ron Erhardt. Fellow Independence party candidate, David Dillon, introduces himself as “a recovering Republican.” Another recovering Republican, long time moderate Jim Leach will be speaking at the Democratic National Convention tonight. There appears to be a brain drain at the Republican Party. Thanks to the Independence Party, we can vote for the brains that have left. Which, of course, includes voting for Ron Erhardt! By the way, many thanks to all the folks at the Playing for the Planet party and debate. It was a great event!

Posted:  Tuesday, August 19 2008 6:42 AM

     We’ve updated our Environment web page. 2007-2008 was a very important session for environmental legislation, and Ron Erhardt played a central role in the renewable energy, clean water and e-waste bills that became law. Ron has always been a strong environmentalist with an interest in protecting Minnesota’s beautiful natural resources. He is looking forward to continue working towards effective solutions to the environmental challenges ahead. Take a look at our Environment page!

Posted:  Friday, August 8 2008 1:07 PM

     Environmental groups are endorsing Ron Erhardt. To date, he has been endorsed by The Sierra Club, Conservation Minnesota and Clean Water Action. These groups recognize that not only does Ron care for the environment, he can actually get the work done in the Legislature. Throughout his career, Ron has worked hard to ensure clean air and water in Minnesota. Last year he joined with the Governor to pass new laws looking for alternative energy sources. His work on transportation also helps reduce emissions from traffic and foreign energy dependence. He serves on the Legislative-Citizens Commission on Minnesota Resources which identifies projects for protecting our natural resources. Ron’s work is filled with ways to help Minnesota’s environment; and the Sierra Club, Conservation Minnesota and Clean Water Action join me in asking you to help him continue this good work.

Posted:  Saturday, August 2 2008 10:06 AM

     Do the times make the man or does the man make the times? Yesterday I read the AP story about the collapse of the 35W bridge and Ron Erhardt’s response. A chill ran down my spine. The profile of Ron Erhardt in that article is the profile of a hero. The AP quotes Ron: “People don’t like tax increases. I don’t…. But some things stand above ideological party stuff.” So, voters of Edina, you have a choice: You can vote for Ron, the man who acted in the face of disaster, or for one of the other candidates, who are standard-issue ideologues. Do the times make the man, or does the man make the times?

Posted:  Tuesday, July 15 2008 9:23 AM

     Ron Erhardt is on the ballot as a Moderate Independent! County officials quickly notified Ron yesterday that they accepted his petitions with hundreds more signatures than the 500 needed to file. People across Edina enthusiastically signed petitions for Ron. No one wanted to see a handful of Republican extremists control his re-election. Edina residents have always told Ron they want him to be a social moderate and a fiscal conservative. That is what it means to be a Moderate Independent, and the voters of Edina have spoken loud and clear: They want Ron Erhardt, a Moderate Independent, to be on the ballot this fall.

Posted:  Saturday, July 12 2008 9:28 AM

     The Star Tribune got it wrong. In Saturday’s paper, when the Star Tribune reported that Ron Erhardt is running as an independent, they also reported that he will caucus with the DFL majority next session. Ron really is running as a Moderate Independent. However, we don’t know which party will be the majority next legislative session. According to Marty Seifert, the leader of the Minnesota House Republicans, the Republicans are going to be in the majority next session. Either way, Ron will continue to be one of the most highly ranking members of the House of Representatives, able to use his seniority to best serve Edina.

Posted:  Wednesday, July 9 2008 9:43 AM

     On the Fourth of July, Ron declared Independence. He has decided to run for re-election as a Moderate Independent. From his years as a political organizer and then as a State Representative, Ron knows that Edina doesn’t want partisan bickering but does want a common sense voice in the State House. So, he is running for re-election to continue representing the social moderate, fiscal conservative voice of Edina, independent of the tyranny of party extremes.

Posted:  Monday, June 16 2008 7:11 PM

     Since the 2008 legislative session ended, Representative Erhardt has been walking through our legislative district, knocking on doors and visiting with Edina residents. This has been Ron's practice every year for nearly 20 years. Visiting door-to-door is the most effective way to find out the views of District 41a constituients and to keep Edina residents informed of what is going on in their state government. This constant voter contact, as well as Ron's regular resident surveys and reports, is why Representative Erhardt has had landslide victories in nine straight elections, even when other Republicans did not do well. This exceptional effort, taking months is why not only Republicans vote for Ron, but why in fact, one-third of Ron's votes come from cross-over voters. Cross-over voters are those who voted for Ron, a Republican, even though they voted for members of other parties in other state and national elections. Our volunteer campaign team is proud to be working for a dedicated public servant who truly represents the people of his district - unlike those with self-interest or political agendas. Join us is re-electing Representative Ron Erhardt, a real leader in the legislature.

Posted:  Tuesday, June 3 2008 5:14 AM

     Welcome to the Ron Erhardt 2008 Re-Election campaign. It is going to be an exciting year. Join us in re-electing a true, dedicated public servant whose effective leadership has brought so much to Minnesota and to Edina.