2nd CD DFL challenger Sarvi has Range connection

The conventional wisdom is that the upcoming election features conditions favorable to Democrats. Most of the big analysts are predicting Democratic pickups in the Senate and House. There are pickup opportunities for Democrats here in Minnesota, as well, most notably Sen. Norm Coleman’s seat and the Third Congressional District being vacated by popular Republican incumbent Jim Ramstad.

Of all the challengers in Minnesota, however, one of the most intriguing candidates faces one of the most difficult tasks. Steve Sarvi is challenging Rep. John Kline in Minnesota’s Second District. Today is Steve Sarvi blog day in Minnesota and I’m helping my friends in the Second CD by pointing out this opportunity to elect a common sense Democrat with extensive military and administrative experience. Though this district is one of Minnesota’s most conservative, Sarvi matches the district well and polls show Kline below 50 percent job approval rating, which means a good candidate like Sarvi could become competitive quickly.

Since I pride myself on being Iron Range voice in the Minnesota blogosphere it’s worth noting that Sarvi served in a unit up here on the Range before his more recent deployments. Sarvi was a member and executive officer for the C Company 1st Battalion 94th Armor of the Minnesota Army National Guard based in Chisholm. He’s now located in the heart of the Second Congressional District where he’s a city administrator and, obviously, candidate for Congress.

“Driving up to the Range from the University of Minnesota was quite an experience, especially in the winter!” Sarvi told me in an e-mail. “But I had a wonderful time working in Chisholm and think of it fondly whenever I’m visiting.”

Sarvi, who most recently served in Iraq with another unit, served with the Chisholm-based unit from 1984 to 1987 before he went active duty with the Army. Anyone who knows the Range knows that the mid 1980s were hard times around here.

“During that time most of my soldiers were laid off from the mines, but were getting by with their Guard pay and doing part-time work,” said Sarvi. “I had two platoon sergeants, brothers, who taught me a lot about being in the Army. There’s been a lot written about training young officers, and what I learned from them, and the other soldiers, made me a better leader from that point forward.”

Sarvi was a regular at the Spirit of Tibroc, which I don’t think is open anymore (a hazard of becoming a regular at any place on the Range) and said he got to know some of the locals.

“The people were great, and very good at starting tanks up in the extreme cold.”

Check out Steve Sarvi and help him if you can. It would appear that Jim Oberstar, whose 2008 opponent remains theoretical, is safe in his bid for re-election. DFLers here would be well served to contribute time or money to elect people like Steve. And check out the headlines on the right column to see what other blogs are saying about Steve today.