House District 20A
- Aaron Peterson (retiring) - DFL (Campaign Finance Bd.)
- Michael Bredeck - R (Campaign Finance Bd.)
- Andrew Falk - DFL (Campaign Finance Bd.)
100% rural. Wheat, corn, soybeans and alfalfa are the major crops grown, and there are dairy and beef herds plus some hog farms. Hunting and fishing are favorite multi-season activities for both residents and visitors all along the Minnesota River Valley. Scientists declare that man lived on the shores of Big Stone Lake and Lake Traverse more than 12,000 years ago. A skeleton exhumed in 1934 is thought to be one of those people and is known as "The Browns Valley Man." This part of the state was settled decades later than other parts because of the American Indian conflicts. The Swift County Museum depicts early pioneer life and features an authentic log cabin, early American Indian artifacts and a (purported) Viking ax found on a farm. The workforce revolves around agriculture. Area quarries are mined for granite, which is locally cut and polished. Manufacturing wind towers is an emerging local industry. Organic farm practices are increasing, providing organic food to Twin Cities-area grocery co-ops. Politically, this is a staunch DFL district.
To get a much better picture of each candidate's prospects, your best bet is to order the 2007-2008 Politics in Minnesota Directory, which includes election histories for each incumbent, the vote percentages for major candidates in each district and much more in addition to the maps and district descriptions below. Buy the Directory here. Please note that the district maps and written descriptions are copyrighted. We encourage you to link to the pages, but printing them for dissemination requires the permission of the publisher. To get permission, write to staff@politicsinminnesota.com.
Also, please note that some incumbents do not yet have opponents. Candidate filings close July 15, 2008.
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