Emmer’s DUI record creates GOP fracas
Thursday, April 22, 2010 at 8:26 am
- 20 Comments
A pair of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) citations ten years apart have come back to haunt the campaign of gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer (pictured at left). On Wednesday, the campaign of Marty Seifert distributed a letter by Republican activist and state convention delegate Sandra Berg to delegates criticizing Emmer’s two DUIs. The Emmer campaign called the move an “October surprise.”
“We all know that good people make mistakes, and that Tom Emmer’s arrests were made some time ago,” Berg wrote. “But to the Democrats, the liberal news media and left-wing bloggers who create and then spread ‘news’ for widespread circulation, that won’t matter.”
Emmer’s campaign chair Rep. Mark Buesgens went after Seifert’s gubernatorial campaign.
“We’re all used to October surprises by the Democrats, but we never thought Marty would sink so low to launch this April surprise against a fellow Republican at the last minute before the convention,” said Buesgens. “The fact is that Tom has been upfront with delegates about this issue. They were the subject of a newspaper article last year, and Tom has been very forthcoming about his actions to anyone who asked.”
“Marty Seifert will do anything to win this nomination and he’s clearly more concerned about his own political future than he is about the well being of the Republican Party and our ticket,” said Buesgens. “We are confident delegates will see this desperate attack for what it is and join the Emmer campaign as we take the high road to victory. Perhaps Marty should read his own published code of ethics: ‘Any member of the Seifert for Governor team that engages in negative campaign tactics of a personal nature … will be fired.’”
Emmer also sent an email to campaign supporters.
Drinking and driving is unacceptable.
Like many, when I was young and stupid, I did young and stupid things. I have taken, and always will take responsibility for my mistakes. I was fortunate that I did not cause physical harm to my family or, God forbid, to another and their family. I have used my life experience to be not only an example but a teacher to my own children and anyone I come in contact with to learn from my experience.
I understand my colleague Marty Seifert and his desire to win at any cost, and I know that politics can be a contact sport for many. But even I have to say this attempt to smear my good name (in light of the fact that I have long been public with my past) reaches a new low and ignores the understanding and compassion for others in Minnesota who, after making the same mistake, have gone on to be some of the best leaders and teachers in this state.
I hope everyone, including Rep. Seifert and his political professionals, will keep in mind that it is not only what we have done in our life that matters – it’s what we’ve learned from it. In fact, I not only take full responsibility for my past, I believe it is all of my life experience that has prepared me to lead.
The Seifert campaign defended itself in a statement Wednesday:
“Republican activist and state convention delegate Sandra Bergs family was victimized by a drunk driver. As a result, she was moved to share important information with fellow Republican state convention delegates about Tom Emmers record: two past DWI arrests; his efforts in 2009 as a legislator to weaken the states DWI laws and cover up the fact he broke them; and not sharing this information when asked about a possible October surprise at a recent candidate forum. Sandras letter provides factual information about a vital issue for the delegates to consider: the electability and credibility of candidates. At her request, the Seifert campaign distributed her letter. While there is much in common between Marty Seifert and Tom Emmer on the issues, there are differences too. Marty will continue to run an issues-based, substantive campaign to lead Minnesota forward.”
Follow Andy Birkey on Twitter20 Comments
Comment posted April 22, 2010 @ 8:43 pm
Emmer is a snake in the grass. I heard that he tried to cover the DUI’s up by trying to get legislation passed that would essentially erase those items from the motor vehicle department record for anyone with those kind of convictions.
I also hear that there are many people in his area that he did business with that have complained that he hasn’t been very good about paying them what he owes them.
Looks like another loser like Dick Borrell who was elected as a Republican and once he was elected, it came out that Borrell had paid a huge settlement to the woman who thought she was having sex with her fiance – his son.
Comment posted April 22, 2010 @ 9:18 pm
I am looking forward to being the Republican candidate to face the DFL, and others, in November. Those who take candidates and elections seriously are calling coming in my direction. Who else has a Money Plan to rescue Minnesota?
Check me out.
http://www.LeslieDavis.org
or you can even call ma at 612 522 9433.
Comment posted April 23, 2010 @ 10:52 am
Another Republi-thug law breaker who wants to rule the rest of us. YUK!
I can’t wait until we get a DFL’er in the Governor’s office and then we can control MN like we are controlling the nation. Let those corrupt rich people cry all they want about their taxes being raised. It is going to get a lot worse for the evil rich in the future.
Comment posted April 23, 2010 @ 11:23 am
I’m not worried about the evil rich as much as the incompetent Republicans running Minnesota into the ground.
PS T-Paw is a Jerk, while I agree with your name, your post sounds like a fake comment trying to make DFLers look bad, Is that you Michael Broadknnob?
Comment posted April 26, 2010 @ 5:04 am
“Marty Seifert will do anything to win”
I guess that makes him a mainstream republican.
Comment posted July 30, 2010 @ 7:12 am
While i do not condone drinking and driving, that alone does not make some a bad person, at some point, we have to move past this. they happened 19 and 29 years ago. How many of people didn’t make mistakes in their lives.
To those that feel the need to insult republicans, remember you all voted in a president who admitted to using cocaine, so it’s a bit hippocritical of you to preach to the republicans and taking the moral high ground.
Comment posted July 30, 2010 @ 7:20 am
on the changes to the DWI laws, he is trying to restrict the punishment/revocation until AFTER the person is convicted. they are being punished before they have been to court and proven guilty.
i have friends and have had family who have been arrested for DUI’s. the suspensions suck and it is a bigger hastle for family/friends to drive them around.
in my opinion,ignition locks/monitoring systems seem a much better idea.
Comment posted August 2, 2010 @ 4:18 pm
Let’s not forget that we elected Bush for two terms as President and he had a few DUI’s in his closet as well.Not to mention all the past Presidents who committed criminal acts but were never caught. ie. FDR purchasing illegal moonshine during Prohibition, Clinton toking on a joint but never inhaling. I personally will not be voting for Emmers as I don’t trust his motives or actions.
Comment posted August 7, 2010 @ 9:00 pm
Yep Bush was an alcoholic and I think Cheney had a DUI or two himself. Churchill and Stalin were alcoholics. What’s the big deal?
Comment posted August 8, 2010 @ 3:09 am
@T-Paw Is A Jerk,
Good point…since the Democrats are doing such a *fine* job running the country, right?
9.5% (unemployed) Americans might disagree with you.
Comment posted August 9, 2010 @ 1:25 am
Hey dimwit, the unemployment problem is an inherited problem. The unemployed can thank GWB for their current joblessness. He’s the one who truly messed up our country.
Comment posted August 9, 2010 @ 7:34 am
DRINKING AND DRIVING IS WRONG AT ANY AGE.
just because this was some time ago doesn’t mean it should be dropped.. I am glad others didn’t pay for your actions Tom. I recently attended the funeral of a very close military friend who was killed by a drunk driver. Like you the drunk that hit my friend Paul was on her second DUI. Paul is gone and she will be given a slap on the wrist. I feel this information and your lack of respect for government and abiding by the laws we expect you to uphold is a clear indication, this is not a position you should hold. please visit us at teampaul.org or on our facebook page to learn more about the implications of your actions.
Comment posted August 17, 2010 @ 4:20 am
Many states have a progressive DUI policy, which generally means that a first-time offender may not receive the maximum penalty allowed under the law. A judge can use some discretion when sentencing those convicted of DUI, especially if the accused pleads guilty and demonstrates remorse for his or her actions.If you have been charged with a DUI you should seek legal help at once from @ DUI Lawyers .
Comment posted August 17, 2010 @ 10:46 am
“i have friends and have had family who have been arrested for DUI’s. the suspensions suck and it is a bigger hastle for family/friends to drive them around.”
I have 2 friends who are dead as a result of a drunk driver hitting their car one night. So forgive me if the hassle of being punished for that crime doesn’t exactly make me weep. I mean, did you even stop to think for a second about what you were saying? DUI laws aren’t nuisance laws…they exist because drunk drivers kill people.
Pingback posted August 26, 2010 @ 1:04 pm
[...] … Shocker… Mark Dayton wins the Democratic nomination to run for governor of Minnesota (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/12/mark-dayton-minnesota-gub_n_680035.html#comments) and in other shocking news local Republicans spare no time in hating on Dayton, calling him “panicky”. I guess we won’t get into Tom Emmer’s two DUI’s (http://minnesotaindependent.com/57898/emmers-dui-record-creates-gop-fracas) [...]
Pingback posted October 11, 2010 @ 8:08 am
[...] again when thinking about the way the Republican Party of Minnesota has packaged Tom Emmer, fan of boozing and bullying (whether by himself or family members), as a “family values” candidate [...]
Comment posted November 2, 2010 @ 11:31 am
Emmer does appear to be a bully and a boozer. Unfortunate for him. Tragic if he comes to govern our state. Is he really the kind of Governer that we want our children to look up to? He would not be any kind of person I would look to to be my hero. One DUI may be a mistake. Two DUIS may be well thought out.
Comment posted November 7, 2010 @ 8:28 am
Let’s ALL remember and BOYCOTT Target and Best Buy who donated $150k and $100k to Emmer respectively.
Pingback posted November 12, 2011 @ 8:28 pm
[...] The Emmer campaign’s own problems with alcohol, and not just Emmer’s two DUIs, his subsequent efforts to change Minnesota’s DUI laws, or his son’s acting out whilst [...]
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