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Due to the redistricting released in March, District 13A is an open house seat. It includes the northern half of Kandiyohi County, the western half of Stearns County, and all of Pope County. Included in 13A are Roseville Township, the city of Regal, Irving Township, Lake Henry Township, the city of Lake Henry, Spring Hill Township, and the city of Spring Hill.

Bud Heidgerken
Heidgerken was born on a dairy farm south of Freeport. He is a graduate of St. John's University and St. Cloud State University and taught school in Brooten School System, and then Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa School System, for 21 years.

He challenged Rep. Sylvestor Uphus for a House seat in 1988 and lost by 150 votes. For the past 12 years, he and his wife have lived in Freeport, where they are the owners and operators of Charlie's Cafe.

Presently, Heidgerken serves on the Freeport City Council, the Melrose Advisory Council, and the Freeport Rec Board. He has also served on the Freeport School Board, and the Stearns Electric Trust Board, including as president.

This time, Heidgerken will run as a Republican, because the party better encompasses his views. "Last time I ran as a Democrat," he said. "After running a business these last 12 years often found me on their side of the aisle. I am against bigger government and against more taxes."

As a representative, Heidgerken, who is pro-life, stated that he would want to write legislation to equalize payments to rural schools, rural hospitals, and rural nursing homes. In these three major causes, rural Minnesota receives far less aid than their metro counterparts, he said.