Tom Emmer: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox state representative |
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| name = Thomas Earl "Tom" Emmer, Jr. |
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| honorific-suffix = |
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| image = Emmer.jpg |
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| alt = Tom Emmer wearing an "Emmer for Governor" shirt |
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| caption = Emmer campaigning for Governor in 2010 |
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| state_house = Minnesota |
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| district = 19B |
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| term_start = January 4, 2005 |
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| term_end = |
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| preceded = Dick Borrell |
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| succeeded = [[Incumbent]] |
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| birth_date = {{birth date and age |1961|03|03}} |
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| birth_place = [[South Bend, Indiana|South Bend]], [[Indiana]] |
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| death_date = |
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| death_place = |
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| spouse = Jacqueline |
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| party = [[Republican Party of Minnesota|Republican]] |
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| relations = |
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| children = Tripp, Jack, Bobby, Katie, Joey, Billy and Johnny |
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| residence = [[Delano, Minnesota]] |
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| alma_mater = [[University of Alaska Fairbanks]]<br>[[William Mitchell College of Law]] |
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| occupation = [[lawyer]], [[legislator]] |
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| religion = [[Roman Catholic]] |
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| website =[http://www.emmerforgovernor.com/ emmerforgovernor.com] |
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| footnotes = |
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}} |
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'''Thomas Earl "Tom" Emmer, Jr.'''<ref name="pop wave" /> (born [[March 3]], [[1961]]) is a member of the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]] and the Republican nominee for [[Minnesota gubernatorial election, 2010|governor in the 2010 election]]. He represents District 19B, which includes portions of [[Wright County, Minnesota|Wright]] and [[Hennepin County, Minnesota|Hennepin]] counties and the cities of [[Otsego, Minnesota|Otsego]], [[Albertville, Minnesota|Albertville]], [[St. Michael, Minnesota|St. Michael]], [[Rockford, Minnesota|Rockford]], [[Delano, Minnesota|Delano]], [[Montrose, Minnesota|Montrose]], and [[Waverly, Minnesota|Waverly]].<ref name="MN legislature profile" /> He was born in [[South Bend, Indiana|South Bend]], [[Indiana]]. |
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==Education== |
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Emmer attended [[St. Thomas Academy]], an all-male, Catholic, military, college-preparatory high school.<ref>[http://emmerforgovernor.com/about/biography/ Biography] at Emmer's gubernatorial campaign website</ref> He then attended [[Boston College]]<ref name="MN legislature profile" /> followed by the [[University of Alaska Fairbanks|University of Alaska at Fairbanks]],<ref name="pop wave" /> where he received a [[Bachelor of Arts]] in [[Political Science]] in 1984. He also played hockey for both schools. He received a [[Juris Doctor]] from [[William Mitchell College of Law]] in [[Saint Paul, Minnesota]] in 1988.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tomemmer.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49&Itemid=53 |title=Emmer for Governor |publisher=Tomemmer.com |date= |accessdate=2010-08-02}}</ref> |
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==Political career== |
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First elected to the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]] in 2004, Emmer currently serves on the Finance Committee, the Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight Committee, and the State and Local Government Operations Reform, Technology and Elections Committee. He is also a member of the Finance Subcommittee for the Health Care and Human Services Finance Division, and of the Health Care and Human Services Policy and Oversight Subcommittee for the Licensing Division.<ref name="MN legislature profile">[http://www.leg.state.mn.us/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=12260 Profile of Tom Emmer] at Minnesota's legislature's website</ref> |
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Prior to his election to the House, Emmer served as a member of the [[Independence, Minnesota|Independence]] and Delano city councils.<ref name="MN legislature profile" /> |
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==Gubernatorial campaign== |
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{{See also|Minnesota gubernatorial election, 2010}} |
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Emmer officially announced his candidacy for [[Governor of Minnesota|governor]] of the State of Minnesota in July 2009.<ref>Duchschere, Kevin. |
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[http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/50026567.html "Delano's Emmer plans run for governor"], ''Star Tribune'', 6 July 2009.</ref><ref>[http://emmerforgovernor.com/ Emmer's gubernatorial campaign website]</ref> In January 2010, Emmer came in second to [[Marty Seifert]] in a non-binding [[straw poll]] of Republican Party [[caucus]] participants. |
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In April 2010, Emmer announced that his [[running mate]] would be [[Metropolitan Council]] member [[Annette Meeks]]. On April 30, 2010, the Republican Party of Minnesota officially endorsed Tom Emmer as its candidate for governor at the state convention in Minneapolis. His main opponent, Marty Seifert, conceded defeat after the second ballot, when Emmer received 56% of the delegate vote. On August 10, Emmer easily won the Republican [[primary election]], receiving 82 percent of the vote.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://elections.startribune.com/returns/mgovsm.html |title=2010 Elections - Governor |publisher=Star-Tribune.com |date=2010-08-11 |accessdate=2010-08-11}}</ref> |
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Emmer has received the endorsement of [[Sarah Palin]] in his bid for governor of Minnesota.<ref>[http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/04/29/sarah-palin-backs-emmer/ Sarah Palin Backs Emmer], Minnesota Public Radio News, 29 April 2010.</ref> He has also been endorsed by current Minnesota Lieutenant Governor, [[Carol Molnau]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/01/25/molnau-emmer/ |title=Molnau backs Tom Emmer in gov's race | Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ |publisher=Minnesota.publicradio.org |date=2010-01-25 |accessdate=2010-08-02}}</ref> |
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MN Forward, an independent expenditure group that has been funded by several corporations including Pentair Inc., Hubbard Broadcasting Inc., Davisco Foods International Inc., Polaris Industries Inc., Best Buy Co., and [[Target Corp.]], has run TV ads supporting Tom Emmer's candidacy.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/98713934.html |title=New Ads and a New Nod in Minnesota's Governor Race |author=Rachel E. Stassen-Berger |publisher=Star-Tribune.com |date=2010-07-18 |accessdate=2010-08-03}}</ref> The ad promotes Emmer as a pro-business, anti-tax candidate and as "the father of seven children."<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xS9kPs5Txs "MN Forward - Creating Jobs. Right Here. Right Now."]</ref> |
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==Political positions== |
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===Pharmacy conscience clause=== |
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He has supported "conscience clause" legislation that would allow pharmacists to refuse to dispense [[contraception]] on the basis of "ethical, moral or legal grounds as long as the pharmacist notifies their employer in advance and the employer can ensure a patient has timely access to the drug or device".<ref>[http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/pressrelease.asp?party=2&pressid=1235&memid=12260 “Pharmacists’ Conscience Clause” Goes To House Floor], Tom Emmer's office press release, 9 March 2006.</ref> |
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===Federalism=== |
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Emmer sponsored a constitutional amendment that would have allowed Minnesota to opt out of federal laws.<ref>[http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/06/emmer-defends-nullification-minnesotans-should-have-a-say-in-the-laws-that-govern-them.php Emmer Defends Nullification: 'Minnesotans Should Have A Say In The Laws That Govern Them']</ref> |
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===Abortion=== |
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Emmer identifies as [[pro-life]].<ref>[http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=6&ved=0CBwQFjAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.startribune.com%2Fpolitics%2Fblogs%2F92708739.html&ei=8qozTMnGC4SonQfly8C1Aw&usg=AFQjCNEm4dFR3ZnX5UVOipgMeUIXVleMjg&sig2=9DgealBNyT6MFvSyT_cA9Q In voting records, Kelliher and Emmer mirror images]</ref> |
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===Taxes=== |
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===Labor relations=== |
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Emmer supports business rights over [[organized labor]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2010}} |
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===Tip Penalty and Minimum Wage=== |
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After visiting a restaurant in St. Paul Minnesota, Emmer was asked if supported the idea of a ''tip credit'', also called a "tip penalty" from the perspective of wage earners, the financial policy of allowing businesses to apply [[gratuity|tips]] against a worker's hourly wage. His response was "Yes... if you didn't have a minimum wage law...". His reasoning for implementing the tip credit is that "...somebody could be taking home well over one hundred thousand dollars as a server" while the restaurant owner could be making much less.<ref>{{cite web|author=“” |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kux4ILtTVew&feature=fvw |title=GOP's Emmer Would Like To Cut Waiter Wages publisher=YouTube |date=2010-07-05 |accessdate=2010-08-08}}</ref> When asked if he was in favor of repealing the minimum wage law, he replied "Well, I don't know if you can do that..."<ref>{{cite web|author=“” |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C5cmZ4Gvrc |title=Tom Emmer Jobs Tour Press Conference |publisher=YouTube |date=2010-07-05 |accessdate=2010-08-02}}</ref> Multiple sources reporting that Emmer wanted to lower the minimum wage,<ref>http://www.marshallindependent.com/page/content.detail/id/517933.html?nav=5015}</ref> however Emmer never stated how he would implement this plan.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bakst |first=Brian |url=http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9GUVRN80.htm |title=Minnesota GOP hopeful Emmer tries to fix tip jam |publisher=BusinessWeek |date=2010-07-14 |accessdate=2010-08-02}}</ref> In 2005, Emmer introduced an amendment within the Minnesota House of Representatives that would have eliminated Minnesota's minimum wage law.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bakst |first=Brian |url=http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9GUVRN80.htm |title=Minnesota GOP hopeful Emmer tries to fix tip jam |publisher=BusinessWeek |date=2010-07-14 |accessdate=2010-08-13}}</ref> |
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Emmer hosted a [[town hall meeting]] at Ol’ Mexico Restaurant in [[Roseville]], Minnesota to hear from servers in the industry.<ref>[ http://wcco.com/politics/emmer.servers.meetings.2.1805346.html]</ref> On July 13, 2010, Emmer announced a proposal to exempt the first $20,000 in tips from state taxes in Minnesota.<ref name="no tips">[http://www.emmerforgovernor.com/news/2010/07/emmer-no-taxes-on-tips.html No Taxes On Tips] at Emmer's campaign website</ref> |
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===Drunk driving=== |
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In 2009, Emmer sponsored a bill that would shorten the period of license revocation for driving while impaired and for refusing to take a sobriety test. Additionally, though "suspected drunken drivers [currently] face revocation before they go to court," Emmer's bill would delay revocations until after conviction.<ref name="startribune.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/42100987.html |title=Sponsor of DWI change has 2-ticket DWI record |publisher=StarTribune.com |date=2009-03-29 |accessdate=2010-08-13}}</ref> Supporters of Emmer's bill have said "it's needed because pre-conviction revocations penalize drivers before proving they're guilty."<ref>{{cite web|author=By PAT DOYLE , Star Tribune |url=http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/42034677.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU |title=Plan puts brakes on penalties for DWI |publisher=StarTribune.com |date=2009-03-27 |accessdate=2010-08-13}}</ref> [[Mothers Against Drunk Driving]] and the head of the Minnesota DWI task force opposed the legislation<ref>Foti, Jim. [http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/42100987.html "Sponsor of DWI change has 2-ticket DWI record"], ''Star Tribune'', 29 March 2009.</ref> because it would allow arrested drivers to continue to drive during the time between their arrest and hearing.<ref>Scheck, Tom. [http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/polinaut/archive/2010/04/seifert_keeps_u.shtml "Seifert keeps up pressure on Emmer on DWI issue"], Minnesota Public Radio News, 26 April 2010.</ref> Emmer's own history of drunk driving became an issue in relation to his bill.<ref>{{cite web|last=Helgeson |first=Baird |url=http://www.startribune.com/blogs/91846374.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU |title=Emmer DWI dustup, Day 2 |publisher=StarTribune.com |date=2010-04-22 |accessdate=2010-08-13}}</ref> Emmer, at the age of 20, received a [[driving under the influence]]-related ticket in 1981. In 1991 he pled guilty to careless driving while two charges for DWI and a license plate violation were dropped.<ref>{{cite web|author=Post your comment: Title (Optional) Your comments: |url=http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/42100987.html |title=Sponsor of DWI change has 2-ticket DWI record |publisher=StarTribune.com |date=2009-03-29 |accessdate=2010-08-02}}</ref> He denies that his own drunk driving and legal consequences played a part in the bill, stating, "We all come to the Legislature with life experiences, but it has nothing to do with this bill."<ref name="startribune.com"/> Emmer has also said that he feels his own punishment in 1981 should have been harsher. With greater strictness, Emmer feels, he "probably wouldn't have taken the second chance" that led to his subsequent arrests and guilty plea.<ref>{{cite web|author=By PAT DOYLE, Star Tribune |url=http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/91775494.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU |title=Guv's race: Underwear, dirty laundry |publisher=StarTribune.com |date=2010-04-21 |accessdate=2010-08-13}}</ref> On May 13, 2010, Emmer was one of three legislators to not vote on a bill that would have provided such tougher penalties for drunk drivers. Emmer said that he missed the vote when a previously scheduled lunch ran long, and that he had "no idea" how he would have voted on the bill, but that he "assume[d]" he would have supported it.<ref>{{cite web|author=By PAT DOYLE, Star Tribune |url=http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/93739659.html?elr=KArksUUUoDEy3LGDiO7aiU |title=Emmer, MIA on DWI vote, ignites criticism |publisher=StarTribune.com |date=2010-05-13 |accessdate=2010-08-13}}</ref> |
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===Positions on Gay Rights=== |
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Emmer is against civil recognition of [[same-sex marriage]]s, stating, "I believe marriage is the union between one man and one woman." Emmer advocates a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages.<ref>[http://www.emmerforgovernor.com/issues/socialvalues/ Social Values page] at Emmer's campaign website</ref> Emmer's campaign has also contributed money towards a controversial Christian rock band whose lyrics support violence against and killing of gays.<ref>"Emmer campaign donated to controversial Christian punk-rock ministry", <i>Minnesota Independent</i>, May 25, 2010.[http://minnesotaindependent.com/59337/emmer-campaign-donated-to-you-can-run]</ref> |
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==Personal life== |
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The great-grandfather of Emmer, along with his two brothers, founded Emmer Brothers Lumber, now Viking Forest Products LLC.<ref>[http://www.vikingforest.com/AboutUs.htm About Us] at Viking Forest's official website</ref> Emmer has seven children with his wife of more than 20 years, Jacqueline Emmer.<ref>[http://emmerforgovernor.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46&Itemid=55 ]{{Dead link|date=August 2010}}</ref> He is an avid hockey player, having played in college, and continuing the sport by coaching.<ref name="pop wave">Helgeson, Baird. [http://www.startribune.com/politics/local/97671799.html "Tom Emmer: Riding a new populist wave"], ''Star Tribune'', 11 July 2010.</ref> During the legislative session, Emmer regularly rides the bus to the [[Minnesota State Capitol]].<ref name="pop wave" /> |
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==References== |
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{{reflist|colwidth=30em}} |
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==External links== |
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{{MN-legdb|12260}} |
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*[http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/members/members.asp?id=12260 Representative Tom Emmer (R)] ''official MN State Legislature site'' |
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*[http://www.emmerforgovernor.com/ Emmer for Governor] ''official gubernatorial campaign site'' |
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*{{CongLinks | votesmart = 38894 | surge = 209829 | followthemoney = 5638 }} |
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*[http://minnesota.publicradio.org/projects/ongoing/votetracker/legislator_view.php?id=116 Voting record (2005-2008)] at [[Minnesota Public Radio]] Votetracker |
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{{S-start}} |
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{{s-par|us-mn-hs}} |
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{{incumbent succession box |
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|before=Dick Borrell |
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|title=[[Minnesota House of Representatives|Minnesota State Representative]] from District 19B |
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|start=2005|}}} |
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{{s-ppo}} |
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{{s-bef|rows=2|before=[[Tim Pawlenty]]}} |
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Republican Party of Minnesota|Endorsed Gubernatorial Candidate,<br>Minnesota Republican Party State Convention]]| years=[[Minnesota gubernatorial election, 2010|2010]]}} |
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{{s-aft|rows=2|after=Most Recent Nominee}} |
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{{s-ttl|title=[[Republican Party of Minnesota|Repulican nominee for]] [[Governor of Minnesota]]| years=[[Minnesota gubernatorial election, 2010|2010]]}} |
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{{end box}} |
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{{S-end}} |
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{{Current members of the Minnesota House of Representatives}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Emmer, Tom}} |
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[[Category:1961 births]] |
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[[Category:Living people]] |
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[[Category:People from Wright County, Minnesota]] |
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[[Category:Members of the Minnesota House of Representatives]] |
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[[Category:Minnesota Republicans]] |
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Revision as of 22:42, 16 August 2010
 | This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. The specific problem is: campaign literature, not factual. |