As a political science and economics teacher, Rep. Kory Kath (DFL-Owatonna) has spent the last nine years helping develop his students at Owatonna High School into the next generation of leaders. When the opportunity arose to represent his district as a member of the House, Kath decided it was time to lead by example.
“I was very concerned about education policy. I was very concerned about the state of our state itself. And I said, ‘You know what? This is the time. This is the time to get in there and provide that next generation of leadership that needs to step up,’” he said.
Although he’s never held an elected office before, it would seem that Kath’s entire career has been pointing him toward the Capitol. He studied political science at Gustavus Adolphus College, where he developed a passion for debating policy. Hoping to instill the same interest in young people, he opted for a career in education and moved back to his home district, where he became active in promoting student government and youth leadership programs.
Kath, who said he was “never really that active” in party politics prior to running for office, is the first DFLer to represent his district since 1982; however, he played down the partisan significance of his electoral upset.
“I’m not very partisan. I’m a good listener. I love to listen to people, on both sides of the aisle and everywhere in between, about what are the issues we’re facing and how can we come to some common solutions for problems,” Kath said.
The husband and father of two said his hopes for the legislative session include reforms that will bolster the state’s economic growth and help bring about solutions to the current budget deficit. He would like to see the state, federal and local governments form partnerships to address the problem, and hopes lawmakers can work together on a bipartisan basis to that end.
“Right now we are at a crossroads, and it’s so important for us to reach across party lines,” he said.
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RIP: Bills that didn’t make it
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Art of compromise is the heart of politics
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Reformer at heart
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One more goal in his playbook
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Fulfilling her ‘deal’
Kelliher leaving House after a dozen years, maybe not the Capitol
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Excited for a new opportunity
Kohls leaves the House with fond memories, optimism about future
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Agriculture advocate bids adieu
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‘A decade is a long time’
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Magnus will run for state Senate
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First Hmong House member shifts focus
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Erring on the side of openness
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Demmer winds down fourth, final term
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Time for a change
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Leaving before his self-imposed limit
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Published 4/22/2010
Bumper pride
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Seifert concludes 14-year House career
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Energized to follow a different path
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Ensuring good management
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Legislative powers
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Unallotment upheaval
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Hard times hit home
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Published 2/11/2010
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Opening Day: 86th Legislative Session
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Minnesota Index: Session 2010
Figures and statistics on the 2010 legislative session
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First Reading: No easy fixes
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Published 5/29/2009
At Issue: State government funding signed
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Governor's Desk
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Minnesota Index: 2009 session
Figures and statistics on the 2009 legislative session
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Published 5/29/2009
First Reading: Letting the sunshine in
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At Issue: Budget cuts for state government
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Minnesota Index: Government in Minnesota
Figures and statistics on state and local government
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First Reading: Hammering out an agreement
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Resources: From beginning to end
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Published 5/8/2009
At Issue: Tightening the belt
Less funding, more accountability in omnibus state government finance bill
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Published 4/24/2009
First Reading: Protecting public dollars
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Published 4/17/2009
At Issue: Making technology accessible
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Published 4/3/2009
First Reading: Looking to the past
Division hears New Deal‘s controversial story
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Published 2/27/2009
Feature: Getting an earful
Legislators fan out across the state to hear budget deficit problems, solutions
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Published 2/27/2009
New Member: From tragedy to high hopes
Hayden hopes to effect big change
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Published 2/20/2009
New Member: A passion for local issues
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Published 2/20/2009
Feature: Is there a page in the House?
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New Member: Former teacher returns
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New Member: From NYC to Minnesota
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New Member: Keeping it local
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New Member: Facing complex problems
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New Member: Planning for the future
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New Member: 'Honesty, common sense'
‘Honesty, common sense’
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New Member: Altitude adjustment
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New Member: A young, rural voice
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New Member: A political education
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New Member: The deficit is top priority
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New Member: A global view in St. Paul
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New Member: Honored to serve
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New Member: Waiting years for his seat
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At Issue: Leading by example
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New Member: Doing greater good
Jackson views public service as a calling
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New Member: A heritage of involvement
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New Member: Passionate about business
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New Member: No shortcut to service
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New Member: Working to unite
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New Member: Walking the talk
Persell models stewardship of the environment
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New Member: Making a difference
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New Member: Taking the chance
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Published 1/23/2009
At Issue: The state of our state
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Published 1/16/2009
Feature: Opening day
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At Issue: Beyond the budget
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Minnesota Index: Minnesota House 2009
Figures and statistics on the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2009.
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Published 1/9/2009