Rock County voters have a difficult decision to make on Election Day, Nov. 8, 2022.
Two really nice guys are running to represent Minnesota District 21A.
The Republican incumbent Joe Schomacker and the Democratic-Farmer Labor challenger Pat Baustian are both really nice guys.
Both live in Luverne. Both are graduates of Luverne High School.
Joe has held the office of state representative since 2012 – so he’s got plenty of experience.
Pat served eight years on Luverne’s city council before his election as mayor in November 2010 – so he’s got plenty of experience.
Pat’s been working hard for years to keep businesses on Main Street.
Joe’s family owns three Main Street businesses: The Sewing Basket, Schomacker Cleaning, and Schomacker Flooring and Appliance.
Pat proudly served as a member of the South Dakota Air National Guard for many years.
Joe proudly supports the military and law enforcement. So does Pat.
I’ve crossed Joe’s path a time or two at various public meetings, and I’ve found him to be an incredibly witty person – something that receives high rank in my book.
But I’ve also enjoyed generous hospitality at Pat’s house. Including the gathering that followed last summer’s Class of 1981 40th class reunion. (’81 forever!)
In high school, Pat was the quiet guy in the room. He minded his own business and hung out with the ag guys. He went directly into military service after high school.
Joe was on the debate team before going to college to study public administration, speech communication and political science.
Joe is a single guy who supports his family in their businesses.
Pat has a beautiful wife, four kids and a dog.
So what’s a voter to do? I suggest evaluating your core values and researching each candidate’s position on issues that matter to you.
Then vote for the candidate whose core values align with yours.
That should make voting for one of two really nice guys a little less difficult.