Once she has her feet firmly planted, Republican Grace Schwab plans to focus on the four issues that were, judging by the results of the election, also important to Freeborn and Mower County constituents.

Wednesday, November 08, 2000

Once she has her feet firmly planted, Republican Grace Schwab plans to focus on the four issues that were, judging by the results of the election, also important to Freeborn and Mower County constituents.

"Taxes, dollars to the classrooms, senior issues and local issues ­ local issues are first priority," Schwab said. "I’m ready to be that advocate."

For Schwab, winning the State Senate District 27 office is fulfilling a lifelong dream.

"This is unbelievable," she said. "I’m just going to try and get my feet on the ground and enjoy the victory with my family."

Her campaign focused on tax cuts, education and seniors.

Schwab would like to see schools control locally and more equality in the current funding methods keeping rural schools even with metro schools.

She said she’s received a lot of support from Mower County.

"They’ve been very helpful," said the Albert Lea School Board member. "I wasn’t well-known in Mower County. I thank the Mower County and Freeborn County Republicans for the firm foundation"

She’s also grateful to Sen. Pat Piper.

"I commend Pat on a fair campaign. We had no dirt, no mud," Schwab said. "I have a lot of respect for her, the campaign she ran and for her years of service."

Piper is also grateful for her years of service.

"It’s been a most remarkable opportunity to serve the people of Mower and Freeborn County," Piper said.

Piper said her opponent ran an aggressive race, and she thought it was unique that two women were running for the seat.

Piper first began her career in 1982 when she was elected to the Minnesota House. She followed that up with a successful bid for the Senate in 1986.

She’s focused much of her career on helping children and improving education.

She counts MinnesotaCare as one of her accomplishments in office. The bipartisan project provided health care for those who could not afford health insurance. The program is funded by a 1 1/2 percent health care provider tax. Piper said the tax is passed on to private insurance companies, not consumers.

Piper was instrumental in revamping the Department of Education into the Department of Children, Families and Learning. She also served as the chairwoman of Family and Early Childhood Committee.

She said the redistricting will be an issue this year.

"This will affect rural Minnesota," Piper said. "After the Census, redistricting occurs to ensure that every district has the same number of people in it. And the population of rural Minnesota is declining, while the suburban areas are growing."

She added that, historically, southern Minnesota has always worked together with the inner city districts, as well as the Iron Range. She hoped that cooperation would continue.

Schwab received a total of 16,350 votes to Piper’s 14,658. In Mower County, Piper received 7,542 votes to Schwab’s 7,476.