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The new Wyoming Giese Memorial Library Thursday, Feb. 23, was the setting for U.S. Congressman Jim Oberstar to announce his endorsement of Becky Lourey for Minnesota Governor.

Oberstar travelled in Chisago County that day meeting with area farmers in North Branch in the morning, holding discussions with the Minnesota Adoption Network at his field office in North Branch and then the Lourey announcement in Wyoming in the afternoon.

Oberstar said he and Lourey share the same philosophy of “devoted public service for the common good.” He mentioned it was fitting to declare his endorsement at a location next to the Sunrise Prairie Trail--a symbol of “quality of life” enhancement efforts that are a cornerstone of Lourey’s politics.

The foundation of her campaign is to bring “truth to power” Oberstar stated, adding Lourey also brings compassion to politics and practices what she preaches in her personal life.

Oberstar and Lourey, a state senator since 1996 and who was first elected state representative in 1990, have worked together on public policy and federal-state relations, and will work as a team when she is elected governor, Oberstar declared. Lourey is someone who builds coalitions and can bring bipartisanship back to state government, he concluded.

Lourey was born and raised in Minnesota. She and husband Eugene have a farmstead near Kerrick and are sole owners of Nemadji Research Corp. a software data management and analysis company, and employ about 70 people. The Loureys have 12 children, three are deceased.

Lourey, 62, said she is posting “policy papers” on her website weekly and mentioned several goals and initiatives she hopes to enact as governor. Details can be viewed at www.beckylourey.org.

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