Please contact Jennifer Hovelsrud, 612-518-8159 or jhovelsrud@gmail.com, for additional information. Below, please find a headshot, media release and biography.
Kevin Staunton Headshot:
Media Release on DFL Endorsement:
Contact: Jennifer Hovelsrud
Phone: 612-518-8159
Email: jen.hovelsrud@stauntonforhouse.org
Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Democrats Endorse Kevin Staunton for 2010 Minnesota State House of Representatives
Staunton is Democrats’ Clear Choice for November Election
Edina, Minn., March 6, 2010 – Today, Democrats in 41(A) overwhelmingly endorsed Kevin Staunton as their candidate to run for the Minnesota House of Representatives at the District Convention. Staunton received 81 percent of delegate votes in his district amidst a challenge from former Republican and Independent candidate, Ron Erhardt.
“Kevin understands Minnesota’s difficult fiscal crisis and community needs. He will provide the collaborative leadership that our district deserves and the Minnesota State House of Representatives needs,” said DFL 41(A) Endorsement Committee Co-Chair and DFL Central Committee Member, Dianne Thomas.
“I am honored to be the Democratic candidate and I look forward to restoring responsible, moderate representation for Edina at the state house,” said Staunton. “We are at a crossroads on a national, state and community level. We need a change.”
Staunton’s Focus
Staunton will work to restore Minnesota’s longstanding leadership in education, economic development, healthcare, energy and the environment.
“While I’m optimistic about our future, I’m greatly concerned that we are creating high-cost problems for the future. Our current representative [Republican Keith Downey] is approaching financial challenges by being penny wise and pound foolish,” said Staunton. “This is a serious situation. There is not a single state education system that has been allowed to fail in the past that has rebounded–regardless of resources. We cannot attract new business and emerge as the leader Minnesota once was by allowing this and other valuable infrastructure to deteriorate,” offered Staunton.
Staunton advises a multifaceted approach to the funding of solutions to keep state infrastructure strong. “We know it is impossible to solve the state budget crisis with cuts or revenue increases alone. We need to quit playing shell games and make the hard decisions around priorities and our best return on investment.”
Democrats also endorsed Steve Elkins (41) for the Minnesota Senate and MN State House incumbent Paul Rosenthal 41(B) at the Convention. All candidates take their contest to the voters in November of this year.
About Kevin Staunton
Kevin and his family have been a part of the Edina community for more than 11 years. He has lived in Minnesota since the age of 17 when he moved here to attend the University of Minnesota. He and his wife, Maria Christu, have three boys attending the Edina Public Schools. Kevin has worked with state and local government for more than 20 years, serving as a Special Assistant Attorney General, a City Attorney, and a private lawyer representing individuals and businesses working with government. He is vice chairman of the Edina Planning Commission, sits on the Edina Public Schools Innovation Team and has served as a youth sports coach, Cub Scout leader and PTA president.
Additional Information:
Website–http://stauntonforhouse.org/
Photos–http://www.flickr.com/photos/43061224@N08/?saved=1
Facebook– www.facebook.com/kevinstaunton41A
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Media Release:
Contact: Jennifer Hovelsrud
Phone: 612-518-8159
Email: jhovelsrud@gmail.com
Kevin Staunton First Contender to Announce 2010 Run for Minnesota House of Representatives
Staunton supporters gather in his Edina backyard to share optimism for the future
Edina, Minn., September 28, 2009 – Surrounded yesterday by supporters from his DFL-endorsed 2008 campaign, Kevin Staunton announced he would again seek the 41(A) seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives during an informal barbecue at his Edina home.
Why Run Again
“This community is too important to walk away. We need leaders with courage to address today’s problems today–not put them off for someone else to solve tomorrow,” Staunton told supporters. “I’m running because I believe in what we’ve built here in Edina and Minnesota and I’m optimistic about our future.”
Staunton will focus on restoring Minnesota’s standing in education, energy/environment, economic development and healthcare. “I’m concerned we are creating high-cost problems for the future,” said Staunton. “The state needs to live within its budget, but we also need to focus on tax payers’ return on investment by not eroding our public infrastructure.”
Supporter Reaction
After hearing Staunton address concerns over conservative representation and short-sighted solutions to the state budget crisis, supporter Kim Montgomery said, “I’m thrilled he is in the race. He is a true leader. Kevin listens across party lines, researches and evaluates thoughtfully before making decisions. He is just the kind of representative that we need in government during these challenging times.”
Supporter and Edina resident Virginia Kearney added, “Sixty three percent of us wanted more moderate representation in the last election. I have serious concerns about the votes that have occurred since in the areas of education, healthcare and eldercare. “
Also in attendance to show support was Edina Mayor Jim Hovland.
The 2008 Election
After splitting the more moderate vote with incumbent Ron Erhardt, (previously a Republican running as an Independent in 2008), Staunton lost to conservative Republican Keith Downey who won with less than 37 percent of the votes.
“The people of this district clearly care more about maintaining a strong, lasting community than voting party lines. This focus on doing what’s right for your neighbor and your family are important reasons why I’m continuing the conversation we started in 2008,” shared Staunton.
About Kevin Staunton
Kevin and his family have been a part of the Edina community for more than 11 years. He has lived in Minnesota since the age of 17 when he moved here to attend the University of Minnesota. He and his wife, Maria Christu, have three boys attending the Edina Public Schools. Kevin has worked with state and local government for more than 20 years, serving as a Special Assistant Attorney General, a City Attorney, and a private lawyer representing individuals and businesses working with government. He is vice chairman of the Edina Planning Commission, sits on the Edina Public Schools Innovation Team and has served as a youth sports coach, Cub Scout leader and PTA president.
Additional Information: Photos from the campaign kick-off available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/43061224@N08/?saved=1 or www.facebook.com/kevinstaunton41A
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Biography:
About Kevin
FAMILY
Kevin grew up in Oak Park, Illinois the oldest of six kids born in a five-year span. His father Pat is an Irish immigrant who moved to this country in the early 1950’s after graduating from medical school in Ireland. Pat was drawn to this country by, among other things, the promise of a place where success was the result of what you did, more than who you were or where you came from. His mother Nancy, herself the daughter of Irish immigrants, grew up on the south side of Chicago. She became a nurse and met Pat when both were working in a Chicago hospital in the 1950’s.
Kevin attended public schools in Oak Park, and moved to Minnesota in 1976 to attend the University of Minnesota. In college, he played on the baseball team and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in political science. After college, he attended William Mitchell College of Law where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review and graduated with honors.
Since 1998, Kevin has lived in the Highlands neighborhood of Edina with his wife, Maria Christu. They have three sons — Jack (16), Kyle (14), and Will (11) – who attend Edina Public Schools.
PUBLIC SERVICE, COMMITMENT, EXPERIENCE
- Kevin’s parents, Pat and Nancy Staunton
Kevin learned the value of public service from his parents. His father Pat served two years in the Navy in the 1950’s before he even became a U.S. citizen. Upon returning to the Chicago area from his naval service, he chose work in the public sector despite more lucrative opportunities in private practice. His 17 years of service in the public sector included work with the Veteran’s Administration and a stint as the Deputy Director of the Illinois Department of Mental Health. After earning a Master’s Degree in public health, Kevin’s mother Nancy worked in a local health planning agency while Kevin and his siblings were finishing high school. Later, she was elected to and served two terms on the Village Board in Oak Park.
Following the example set by his parents, Kevin has a long history of public service. Fresh out of college in the early 1980’s, he volunteered as an intern for Minneapolis Mayor Don Fraser and as a coach for Edina’s American Legion Baseball team.
- Working with Highlands’ students
Professionally, he has worked for or with public entities ever since clerking at the Minnesota Attorney General’s office while in law school. Upon graduation from law school in 1987, he accepted an appointment as a Special Assistant Attorney General. Since moving to private practice in 1991, he has regularly worked with public entities including service over the past 13 years as the City Attorney for the City of Excelsior, Minnesota. Since moving to Edina in 1998, Kevin’s public service has extended to his community. His contributions include coaching youth sports, volunteering at Highlands Elementary School, and leading cub scouts. In 2004-05, he served as Co-President of the Highlands Elementary School PTA. Kevin currently serves on the Edina Public Schools Innovation Team and is Vice Chair of the Edina Planning Commision.