GOPer eyes Minnetonka’s House District 43B

A Minnetonka businessman has registered to make a run against DFL Rep. John Benson in the three-term DFLer’s West Metro House district thought to be ripe for big changes in redistricting this year.

David Lloyd, owner of a financial advisory practice, has registered to challenge Benson in House District 43B, a seat the DFLer won with about 51.5 percent of the vote in 2010.

Lloyd, who’s lived in Minnesota for most of his life, says concerns about state debt, unemployment, taxes and the “efficient use” of government resources are among his top concerns looking ahead to a campaign.

When asked how he hopes to operate a campaign in a district that is already politically split — DFL Sen. Terri Bonoff and GOP Rep. Sarah Anderson are the other members of its legislative delegation — Lloyd said he’d look to stress evidence-based policies and working across the aisle.

“People don’t want a ‘Pitch,’ he said in an e-mail while traveling. “They want leaders that are not afraid of research, actively pursue learning about their concerns, listen, and have the ability to present solutions, yet, have some flexibility in working with others to resolve major issues.”

Lloyd is the first Republican to file to make a run in the district, and said he’d abide by the party’s endorsement. He said it’s not safe to assume he’d run regardless of how house district lines are ultimately drawn.

Minnetonka City Councilman Tony Wagner, who made a run for the Senate District 43 seat in 2005 as a DFLer, filed to run for the 43B seat in November of last year. It’s not clear if that’s in anticipation of district changes when new maps are unveiled next month or if he intends to challenge Benson for the DFL endorsement. Wagner did not return multiple calls and e-mails for comment.

The entire Senate District 43, which includes Plymouth, Medicine Lake and Minnetonka, could see stark changes in its political boundaries once new districts are unveiled by a special five-judge panel handling redistricting on Feb. 21. The suburbs, particularly the West and North Metro, have seen significant population growth since 2002 and are potentially due for significant shifts.