MIKE PARRY: THE ELECTABLE CONSERVATIVE Why Mike is Our Best Candidate

PROVEN VOTE GETTER

The Republican candidate for Congress must be able to build a broad based coalition to win district-wide. The First District is nearly an even mix of Republicans, independents, and Democrats. A successful candidate must not only win Republicans but also win significant numbers of independents and Reagan Democrats. Mike Parry has out-performed the top of the ticket in his senate district. In 2010, Parry received more votes than any Republican statewide candidate in the district.

2010 DFL GOP

State Senator
De Marco

Parry

45.6% 54.2%

Governor Dayton Emmer

37.9% 45.7%

Auditor Otto Anderson

42.3% 48.2%

Allen Quist consistently under-performed the top of the ticket in his house district. In his last two general election campaigns, Quist lost in a conservative district and received fewer votes than the Republican statewide candidates.

1988 DFL GOP 1990 DFL GOP

State Rep

Ostrom Quist
State Rep

50.2% 48.2%

President Dukakis Bush Governor Perpich Carlson

47.6% 50.4%

U.S. Senate Humphrey 36.3% Durenberger 61.1% U.S. Senate Wellstone Boschwitz

Ostrom Quist

50.3% 47.1%

40.0% 53.2%

42.4% 54.2%

*Source Minnesota Legislative Manual, 1989-1990, 1991-1992, 2011-2012

In 2008, Barack Obama won the First District with 51%; in 2004, George Bush won the First District with 51%. 2012 is a Presidential-Election Year, and a winning Republican candidate for Congress must be able to out-perform the top of the ticket only Mike Parry has demonstrated an ability to do this.

AN EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATOR
In the state senate, Mike Parry often serves as a spokesman for Republicans on key issues. Parry effectively communicates our conservative principles in the media. In addition, Parrys background in rural radio is a strong asset in a district with rural areas. Allen Quist has attracted attention for controversial statements over the years. Quist is often remembered for his statement that a genetic predisposition accounts for the tendency of men to be the heads of households. (Minneapolis Star Tribune, April 22, 1994) Statements such as these would be very damaging in a general election campaign.

A RELIABLE CONSERVATIVE TAXES

Mike Parry has never voted to raise taxes. Parry has signed the Americans for Tax Reform pledge and will not vote to raise taxes when elected to Congress. Allen Quist voted to raise the gas tax when he served in the Minnesota House. At the time, the increase would move Minnesotas gas tax from the 8th to 4th highest in the nation. (House File 2333, House Tax Committee Minutes from March 11, 1986; Minneapolis Star Tribune, page 1A, March 12, 1986)

A RELIABLE CONSERVATIVE LIGHT RAIL

Mike Parry has been an outspoken opponent of spending taxpayer dollars on wasteful projects like light rail boondoggles. Mike Parry believes taxpayer dollars should be focused on improving our roads and bridges. Allen Quist has been a longtime supporter of light rail: I am a supporter of light rail. I see a well-planned light rail system as being an essential ingredient of sustained economic growth and stability (Minnesota E-Democracy, EDebate 1998, http://bit.ly/HSc4Jw) Ill be very frank in saying Im a supporter of light rail (Green GOPersQuist, Terwilliger Debate Enviro, Minnesota Public Radio, February 6, 1998, http://bit.ly/IGWbsi)

A RELIABLE CONSERVATIVE ENVIRONMENT

Mike Parry believes we must balance common-sense with conservation of the environment and natural resources. In the Legislature, Mike has helped his constituents navigate the bureaucratic maze that is the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). For too long, unelected bureaucrats have held too much power at the MPCA and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Allen Quist sought to be leading environmentalist in Legislature: Quists new goal, he said, is to make the environment his legislative cause celebre. He said he intends to take a role as the Legislatures leading environmentalist. If Republicans gain a majority in the House, he will ask to chair the Environment and Natural Resources Committee. (The Free Press, Mankato, page 6, October 20, 1990) Allen Quist: I strongly support the Environmental Trust Fund (Le Sueur News Herald, page 11, October 25, 1988). In 1987, DFL Governor Rudy Perpich endorsed a proposal to create a $1 billion trust fund to help clean up Minnesotas environment and protect its natural resources. The tentative proposal calls for gradually building the fund until it reaches $1 billion, which Perpich said would be possible after 10 years. (Minneapolis Star Tribune, page 6B, February 23, 1988). This legislation was placed on the ballot as a constitutional amendment and passed in 1988. Allen Quist supported big government recycling efforts and regulations: Specific proposals [Quist] advocates would change tax law to increase demand for recycled products, such as newspaper, and new packaging standards to encourage recycling. (The Free Press, Mankato, page 6, October 20, 1990)

Compare the candidates, compare the records. Mike Parry is the Electable Conservative!