McLeod County Republicans host convention

Over 100 McLeod County delegates and alternates met at the Republican county convention in Hutchinson on Saturday, March 19, to hear from candidates and elect state and Minnesota 7th District delegates.
The convention heard from three Republicans seeking re-election: state Rep. Glenn Gruenhagen of District 18B, state Rep. Dean Urdahl of District 18A, and state Sen. Scott Newman of District 18.
Gruenhagen, who represents Sibley County and part of McLeod County, told the convention how important their participation in the political process is.
He addressed the topic of illegal immigration, as both Minneapolis and St. Paul are sanctuary cities, cities with policies designed not to prosecute undocumented immigrants.
Gruenhagen said immigration is important to the nation, but illegal immigration hurts both the country and the undocumented immigrant. He said illegal immigration drives down wages and is supported by big business Republicans who want cheap labor and Democrats who want dependence on the government. The undocumented immigrants have it even worse, Gruenhagen said. They are exploited and abused.
“If you care about people at all you want to stop illegal immigration,” he said.
Gruenhagen also spoke about healthcare, specifically MNsure. He said with the $300 million the state spent on its new healthcare program, mostly on technology, the government could have purchased individual plans for each uninsured person.
“Don’t be hoodwinked by the other side claiming this is a great accomplishment,” Gruenhagen said.
Finally, Gruenhagen told those present that if they vote for rural Democrats, “it’s the metro Democrats that get the gavel down there.”
Newman also spoke to the convention about recent issues.
He addressed the Real I.D. Act of 2005 from the federal government. He said the topic is a significant concern throughout Minnesota.  
“The main concern to me is that the feds have told the states what to do and are essentially mandating a national ID card,” he said. “That’s something that I think really does jeopardize our privacy.”

For more, see the March 23 print edition of The Chronicle.