Minnesota Gubernatorial Candidate

Tom Horner

Monday, Oct. 18, 2010

2:30-3:30 p.m.

Alumnae Hall

Haehn Campus Center

College of Saint Benedict

St. Joseph

Come meet Tom Horner for an informal meet-and-greet about higher education and other important issues.

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Tom Horner’s “Top 10” on Higher Education

1. To limit tuition increases, a Governor Horner would maintain current funding levels for higher education, including the University of Minnesota.
2. Tom Horner will dedicate $30 million in new funding to basic and applied research at Minnesota’s post-secondary schools.
3. Tom Horner is a firm believer in the importance of post-graduate studies, as well as in technical, engineering, biomedical, and science-based programs.
4. Tom Horner recognizes the “greatness” of Minnesota’s 2-year community and vocational schools, consistent with a recent ranking by Washington Monthly magazine, which placed seven Minnesota community or vocational schools in the top 50 nationwide.
5. Regarding 2-year schools, Tom Horner would emphasize the matching of curriculum to local businesses, as well as making it easier for students to transfer to 4-year schools.
6. With a new governor, MnSCU system chancellor, and University of Minnesota president all expected next year, Tom Horner recognizes the tremendous opportunity these three leaders have for establishing the direction of higher education in Minnesota.
7. Tom Horner is the one gubernatorial candidate talking about key players having thoughtful dialogues about “strategic blueprints” focusing on outcomes, including (1) seeing more Minnesota students attain a higher education degree necessary for the dramatic increase in the number of skilled positions in the new economy and (2) creating a more seamless education system for lifelong learning by folding in the many educational silos currently in place.
8. Tom Horner believes expansion of the state’s broadband infrastructure will provide a vital backbone for both educational institutions and traditional or telecommuting employees.
9. Tom Horner understands students are academic entrepreneurs who should have a blend of online and traditional courses available to them.
10. Minnesota students are the state’s best asset, and Tom Horner hopes you will share your talents and skills with our great state by making your home here!

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Related report

Issues of the 2010 Minnesota governor’s race: Education (Pioneer Press, Oct. 14, 2010) – When it comes to education, the next four years aren’t going to be easy. Minnesota is facing an estimated $5.8 billion budget shortfall over the next biennium, and policymakers warn there will be no sacred cows during the next round of budget balancing. And that means schools, too. … Full report

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Related reports on this site

Star Tribune: Horner ‘Serious Contender’ (Sept. 12, 2010)

Tom Horner at the State Fair (Aug. 30, 2010)

‘Eyeballs’ — Tom Horner TV Ad (Aug. 23, 2010)

Tom Horner Speaks in St. Cloud (Aug. 16, 2010)

Tom Horner for Minnesota Governor (Aug. 9, 2010)

Vote Tom Horner in Aug. 10 Primary (Aug. 2, 2010)

Horner 2010 Gains Momentum (July 19, 2010)

Horner Campaign at Granite City (June 26, 2010)

Tom Horner Rises in the Polls (June 8, 2010)

Tom Horner’s Statewide Swing (May 12, 2010)

For more information about Tom Horner’s campaign for governor, visit www.Horner2010.com.

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FROM THE ARCHIVES: One Year Ago — October 18, 2009

Bachmann’s ‘Anti-American’ Rant

One year ago today, I noted the first anniversary of Rep. Michele Bachmann’s despicable Oct. 17, 2008 “anti-American” remarks on MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews, which first propelled her into the national spotlight, dishonoring her office and bringing shame to the State of Minnesota by calling for a media investigation reminiscent of McCarthy-era witch hunts to “find out [which members of Congress] are pro-America or anti-America.”

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FROM THE ARCHIVES: Two Years Ago — October 18, 2008 (#1)

After the Primary Election: Day 39

Two years ago today, on the 39th day after losing my 2008 primary challenge against U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann in Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District, in line with my focus on national security, I reported that Pakistan was scrambling for foreign aid to ward off a possible economic meltdown while trying to contain sharply escalating violence by Islamic fundamentalists. I also highlighted looming economic problems, citing a Washington Post report that the U.S. federal deficit was soaring toward the $1 trillion mark by the end of 2008, “creating the deepest well of red ink since the end of World War II.”

The National Debt Clock, shown on Oct. 9, 2008 in New York, has run out of digits. The “1” has been moved left to the space once occupied solely by the digital dollar sign. A non-digital, improvised dollar sign has been pasted next to the “1.” (Photo credit: Bebeto Matthews / AP file)

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FROM THE ARCHIVES: Two Years Ago — October 18, 2008 (#2)

Write-In Candidacy Announcement

Two years ago today, in response to Rep. Michele Bachmann’s shameful commentary Oct. 17, 2008 on MSNBC “Hardball” with Chris Matthews, I announced my write-in candidacy in Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District election for U.S. Representative. Following is the full text of my announcement.

Today, in response to Rep. Michele Bachmann’s shameful commentary yesterday afternoon on MSNBC “Hardball” with Chris Matthews, I’m announcing my write-in candidacy in Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District election for U.S. Representative.

Earlier today, I mailed a petition to the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State requesting that all write-in votes cast for me for the office of U.S. Representative in the Sixth District at the Minnesota state general election on November 4, 2008 be counted in accordance with Minnesota Statutes 204B.09, subd. 3.

On September 9, I challenged Rep. Bachmann for the Republican nomination because of my strong opposition to her support for the destructive neocon ideology that mired the United States in an unnecessary war in Iraq at a cost of thousands of American lives, hundreds of billions in taxpayer dollars, and untold damage to the international stature of the United States of America (see Statement on the Iraq War).

After losing the primary election, I suspended my campaign.

But now, Rep. Bachmann has dishonored her office and brought shame to the Sixth District and the State of Minnesota by calling for a media investigation reminiscent of McCarthy-era witch hunts to “find out [which members of Congress] are pro-America or anti-America.”

We cannot let that stand.

We cannot tolerate this festering brand of neo-McCarthyism in our midst.

We cannot and must not tolerate elected representatives who abuse their high office and play into the hands of our enemies by sowing the seeds of hatred and dividing America against itself.

Therefore, I am putting my name forward as a write-in candidate for disillusioned Republicans who can no longer support Rep. Bachmann and who wish to voice their displeasure without having to vote for the candidate of another party.