Return to Archived Stories

Paynesville Mayor Jeff Thompson ended his candidacy for the Minnesota House following the endorsement, saying he would abide by the decision of the convention and would not run against DeRose in the primary.

DeRose owns and operates Riverside Resort in Richmond and the Riverside Inn in Cold Spring. He taught music in the Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa School District from 1983-2003.

He said he was encouraged to run by residents who cited his understanding of the issues, his connections to the communities in District 14B, his success in business, and his conservative family values.

As his legislative priorities, DeRose has outlined fair funding and education reform in schools, controlling health care costs, promoting job growth, and working cooperatively with local elected officials. "If elected, I will work on issues important to our area, including fair funding and education reform for our children and invigorating job growth for our growing communities," he said.

"My life and business experience will be tremendous assets as the state continues to struggle with the budget and other important issues. I will bring common sense and a strong work ethic to St. Paul," DeRose added.

DeRose received 60 percent support at the Republican District 14B Convention last week on the second ballot. His opponents, including Thompson, agreed to abide by the endorsement and not run in the primary in September.

Thompson said he would have campaigned 100 percent for the general election in November had he been endorsed but had neither the time nor the effort to run two campaigns - in the September primary and in the November general election. He said he enjoyed being mayor in Paynesville and had committments here to which to attend.

District 14B includes the center of Stearns County, including the cities of Paynesville, Richmond, Cold Spring, and St. Joseph. In the Paynesville area, District 14B also includes Paynesville Township, Eden Lake Township, Munson Township, and Zion Township and the city of Roscoe.

District 14B is currently represented by Doug Stang (R-Cold Spring), who has served four terms in the Minnesota House, being first elected in 1996. Stang, though, has announced that he will not seek re-election this November.

The DFL unanimously endorsed St. Joseph Mayor Larry Horsch last week to run for the open seat in District 14B this fall.