EXCERPT FROM THE STAR TRIBUNE:
Republican Kendall Qualls declared his intention to seek the suburban House seat in a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission Tuesday.
Qualls declined to comment when reached by phone by the Star Tribune, saying he is referring all inquiries to his political consultant. The consultant did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party Chairman Ken Martin released the following statement in response:
“If you are trying to represent Minnesota in congress, you should be able to explain why you deserve that incredible responsibility. The fact that Kendall Qualls cannot explain why he’s running and asked his political consultants to explain for him should be deeply concerning to Minnesota voters.
“Minnesotans deserve representatives with real ideas and deep convictions, not an empty suit who cannot answer the most basic questions about his beliefs, ideas, and plans for our great state. We deserve to know what Kendall Qualls believes, but voters will have to settle for what political consultant Gregg Peppin says Kendall Qualls believes. What a shame.”