Reality Check: Is Emmer A Political Outsider?
This campaign season, you'd be hard-pressed to find politicians who are running on their resumes. Voters are angry with the status quo.
Just 13 days before the election, many seem to be saying, "throw the bums out." So, the candidates are redefining themselves as political outsiders.
That's what Republican Tom Emmer wants us to believe, but the only way Emmer wins the "outsider" label is by not including his 16 straight years as an elected official.
Here's a Reality Check:
"My opponents have lived off government or in government their entire careers," said Emmer in a new television spot. "We need someone from the outside to shake things up."
HOLD ON ... WCCO-TV has video of Tom Emmer sitting in the Minnesota House, where he was first elected in 2004 -- six years ago.
And Emmer served on the City Councils in Independence and Delano for 10 years before that.
Here's the REST OF THE STORY.
Democrat Mark Dayton could also be considered an insider. He has served as Minnesota state auditor, a US Senator, a state commissioner.
What about Independence Party candidate Tom Horner?
Here's the REALITY. Horner never held public office.
He's been a Senate staffer, owned a private business, and says 10 percent of its revenues came from government contracts. However, we can't prove that, because he won't make his client list public.
A spokesman for Emmer issued this statement:
"Mark Dayton has been holding or running for public office nearly full time for the last 30 years. Tom Horner has been working in government or making millions in government for 30 years. Tom Emmer has served as a part-time city council member and part-time state legislator. The difference is clear."
