DFL-endorsed candidate Dan Sparks has Roger Moe and his mother on his side.

Sparks, an Austin banker, is running for the District 27 Senate seat held by Albert Lea Republican Grace Schwab.

His mother, Faye E. Sparks, is a committee administrator for the Minnesota Senate's

telecommunications, energy and utilities committee.

Moe, the Senate Majority Leader, is the DFL-endorsed candidate for governor.

Earlier this year, Sparks announced his candidacy for the Minnesota House seat being vacated by State Rep. Rob Leighton, an Austin attorney, at the end of his current term.

After being recruited by DFL Party members to run for the State Senate seat held by Grace Schwab, Sparks chose to seek the DFL endorsement for the District 27 seat and he won it a month ago.

Sparks met with Moe to discuss current issues at the Capitol in St. Paul and to plot campaign strategy.

"I'm excited to be running for Governor of the state of Minnesota," said Moe, "but I am even more excited about Dan Sparks as our candidate in this area.

"Dan's the kind of candidate, who will bring a new level of energy and excitement to the election campaign and to the Minnesota Senate when he's elected this fall."

Sparks survived a challenge at the Senate District 27B endorsing convention from Terry Kelley, who had former State Senator Pat Piper's own endorsement. Moe himself survived a challenge in a 3-way race for the DFL gubernatorial endorsement from State Auditor Judi Dutcher and State Senator Becky Lourey to win the DFL endorsement May 4.

Moe is a 32-year veteran of public service. He has been a leading architect of DFL programs and policy over three decades, serving as Senate Majority Leader since 1981.

"After speaking with Senator Moe and learning more about him, I find that we have much in common," Sparks said. "We both have a Norwegian heritage, we both are from rural Minnesota and we were both recruited to run for public office at a young age."

Moe was 27 when he entered elective politics. Sparks is 33.

After redistricting, Senate District 27 now expands to include all of Austin and Albert Lea (Mower and Freeborn counties), but also stretches east as far as the Stewartville and Chatfield areas of Fillmore County.

Schwab wrested the DFL's hold on the senate seat two years ago when she upset long-time legislator Piper of Austin.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at :mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com