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BORN: June 29, 1944, Fargo, N. Dak. EDUCATION: Moorhead State U, B.A., 1966 FAMILY: Divorced; three children RELIGION: Lutheran MILITARY: National Guard, 1963-69 OCCUPATION: Accountant POLITICAL CAREER: Minnesota Senate, 1977-87; sought Democratic nomination for U.S. House, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988; U.S. House, 1990- ADDRESS: 2423 West Division Street, Saint Cloud 56301. Tel.: 320-202-0314
Peterson tried five times to get his seat, and now he means to keep it. His congressional record mirrors the concerns of his district, filled with farmers and laborers who look to government aid but vote conservative on social issues. He has championed sugar-beet growers by forming the anti-NAFTA caucus and opposed gun control. Nevertheless, his past two victories have been squeakers: 2% in 1994 and 1% in 1992.
THE ISSUES Budget NO Medicare NO Defense YES Abortion YES Guns NO Gays YES Bosnia YES NAFTA NO Welfare NO* Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "I'm not against tax cuts, it's just that I feel like spending needs to be cut and the budget needs to be balanced before we cut taxes."
ANDY LARSON (R) District 8 (Northeast--Iron Range; Duluth)
BORN: Feb. 25, 1930, Pine County EDUCATION: U of Minnesota, B.A., 1953; William Mitchell U, L.L.B., 1958 FAMILY: Wife, Barbara; seven children RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Lawyer; accountant; municipal judge POLITICAL CAREER: Municipal judge, proctor, 1961-73; Republican Party district chairman, 1993-95 ADDRESS: 315 West Michigan Street, Duluth 55802. Tel.: 218-733-1385
Larson was once a law student by day and a Northern Pacific railroad clerk by night. If he wins this seat, he promises to allow more development in the Boundary Waters Area and Voyageurs National Park. He sounds many G.O.P. themes, like lower taxes and less government.
THE ISSUES
Budget YES Medicare YES Defense NO Abortion YES Guns NO Gays NO Bosnia YES NAFTA YES Welfare YES Medical Leave NO (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "I'm in the mold of Newt Gingrich and the freshman Republicans. We need to reform government and create more and better job opportunities."
JAMES OBERSTAR (D) District 8
BORN: Sept. 10, 1934, Chisholm EDUCATION: College of St. Thomas, B.A., 1956; College of Europe (Brussels, Belgium), M.A., 1957 FAMILY: Wife, Jean; six children RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Language teacher; congressional aide political career: Sought Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, 1984; U.S. House, 1974- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 465, Duluth 55802. Tel.: 218-723-8813
The son of an iron-ore miner, Oberstar has an unflinching belief in the good of government. He voted against NAFTA, and as a member of the Aviation Subcommittee, he helped arrange KLM's investment in Northwest Airlines and its repair facilities in Duluth and the Iron Range. He parallels his district's conservative values, opposing both gun control and abortion.
THE ISSUES Budget NO Medicare NO Defense YES Abortion YES Guns NO Gays NO Bosnia NO NAFTA NO Welfare NO Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)