Carlton County votes Sundin for 11A

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With the votes tallied for Carlton County, it seems Mike Sundin is the Democratic-Farmer-Labor choice for the newly formed Minnesota House of Representatives District 11A.

Carlton County Auditor Paul Gassert said Sundin had 2,111 votes in Carlton County, compared to 1,601 for Bruce Ahlgren.

However, those numbers did not include the 11A voting precinct totals in southern St. Louis County or northern Pine County. District 11A includes all of Carlton County, plus Brevator, Culver, Stoneybrook and Arrowhead townships in St. Louis County and Windemere and Kerrick townships in Pine County.

Although he expected good numbers from those precincts, Sundin said he anticipated "a clear victory" when all the votes are tallied.

He credited his campaigns message of a "working family's agenda" for his greater appeal to voters.

"We need to look at a fair and progressive tax program, and restoration of the homestead tax credit," he said.

Sundin expressed appreciation for his excellent campaign committee and the efforts of organized labor in Carlton County.

"I have an excellent committee," he said. "Lots of energy, people from all walks of life -- teachers, construction workers, journalists, librarians -- giving me information and input. And so many of the organized labor entities in Carlton County helped turn out the working family vote. That was critical."

As of 10:36 p.m., the Minnesota Secretary of State's website had Ahlgren with 1,618 votes total to Sundin's 2,149 with 38 of 47 precincts reporting.

Check this week's Pine Journal for final numbers.

Tags: carlton county, election, updates