New Richland DFL gathering includes state auditor candidate

A long-scheduled Waseca County Democratic Farmer Labor Party (DFL) gathering in New Richland was able to take place on schedule the evening of Monday, Sept. 21, despite the massive flooding that had occurred over the prior two days.

 

Held at the residence of Mike and Nancy Rudau, it included state auditor candidate Zack Filipovich, Minnesota Senate candidate for district 23 Angie Hanson and State Representative candidate for district 23A, Joe Staloch. According to host Nancy Rudau, “It’s a chance to meet and greet the candidates. I’ve been a local gal for the past 27 years and have been very active in the DFL for about the same amount of time.”

 

As attendees arrived, they were invited to donate money toward the New Richland Area Food Shelf’s “benevolence” fund–money used to provide emergency assistance to area residents. The fund has received heavier than usual use because of the recent flooding.

Also in attendance were Julie and Dan Economy, parents of local city councilman Matthew Economy, who was elected in 2024. Said Dan, “It’s a simple backyard gathering for the DFL. We’re here to show our support; we as Democrats look out for our neighbors.” 

 

Angie Hanson was the first on the stump: “I have a lot of things I care about, but two major things are school funding and property taxes; they do go together. I’m a special education teacher; this is my twenty-sixth year. I teach in Alden and I love what I do. School funding has gotten worse as a problem. The state is no longer fully funding our schools, 20-30% of that funding comes from property taxes, which we all agree are way too high. We also don’t have as big of a property tax base as the larger communities, like the Twin Cities do, since we’re a smaller community. So, we get less money for our people, which can lead to declining enrollment, and we want our kids here. I was union president when I taught at Southland. I was on the Albert Lea school board from 2016 to 2020 and served as a local organizing chair for Save Our Hospital. Currently I sit on the Human Rights Commission in Albert Lea, which guarantees people’s rights and dreams.” 

 

Joe Staloch was next to speak: “Angie and I have a lot of the same ground to make up at the capitol. My main focus is opportunities that are close to home, which means getting more funding out of the metro and into greater Minnesota, and into the hands of local leaders. I hope to win Faribault County. I myself grew up in Wells on a hog farm. I received my education at Winona State and spent 10 years working in environmental services and consulting in St. Paul; now I live in Albert Lea working for GigFire. My biggest thing to advocate for in these communities are things like the water treatment facilities. That kind of work needs to be done right now in New Richland. Some of that funding should be federal. We’ll be looking into those options, also state options. Wells’ infrastructure, for example, they have a golf course, a city pool and the state funds are just not cutting it, so please send me up to the capitol.”

 

The keynote speaker, a clean-cut Zack Filipovich echoed some of Staloch’s statements about emphasizing a local voice. He went on to say “I know New Richland is having quite a time of it right now,” and observed the strengths of small towns, including, “coming together in this time of need, local people helping their neighbors.” He said it will be a priority to get funding from the federal and state levels to reroute water and “prevent this type of natural disaster in the future,” observing, “That kind of change takes partnership on the local level, and at the state level. The state auditor oversees $56 billion in local government spending; they oversee reporting and the audits across the state.” He indicated he is looking forward to working with both Staloch and Hanson.

 

Filipovich joked that the state auditor’s office is the most exciting part of the Minnesota government, then added, “As an accountant, I get used to talking about really exciting things.” He also acknowledged that, since the get-together started, the temp had dropped a few degrees and was accompanied by a light drizzle. Everyone could feel it. Looking up at the sky, Filipovich said, “I don’t want to draw this out. I know you’re all busy. I’ve been busy too. Recently, I visited five congressional districts in one day.” He told the group that the tour ended in Sauk Centre during a parade. “It was a lot hotter that day, but there were 50 people with us in that parade and the energy was there.”

 

He emphasized the importance of effective local governments, saying, “If a citizen calls the fire department, they need them to show up. Same with the police. We need to tell our citizens and neighbors that they have a choice in this election. Make sure your voice is heard, and vote for an actual accountant.”

 

The three candidates also passed out yard signs, buttons and bumper stickers. Guests were invited to mingle and refreshments were served. Those not prepared to make donations to the New Richland Disaster Response Fund that evening were invited to do so online at www.wasecaareafoundation.org.