Former Minnesota Gov. Arne Carlson will be the featured speaker at a special Wednesday pre-election luncheon that will take place at the Holiday Inn in Austin.

The event is being organized through the Government Affairs Committee of the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce as part of the group's 2002 "Get Out the Vote Campaign."

Chamber Executive Director Sandy Forstner said Carlson was in a similar situation as the next governor of Minnesota state will be. When elected in 1990, Carlson inherited a $2.2 million budget deficit. Through policy-making decisions, Carlson was able to leave a $2.3 billion surplus by the time he left office in 1997.

"Mr. Carlson has a message. His message is that people need to be more involved in the political process, as well as his perspective on politics in the state of Minnesota," Forstner said.

Carlson was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1970 and served as majority Whip from 1974 to 1978. He was elected State Auditor in 1978 and served three terms in that office before running for governor in 1990. Carlson is currently Chair of the Board and Cheif Executive Officer of American Express Funds.

"He's just an excellent speaker and fairly well-known and popular," Forstner said.

Pre-registration for the luncheon is required. Individual tickets are $15. A $150 sponsorship fee includes eight luncheon tickets, priority seating and recognition at the event as an official sponsor. For information, call the Chamber at 437-4561.

Dan Fields can be reached at 434-2230 or by e-mail at dan.fields@austindailyherald.com