Mike Obermueller

Mike Obermueller
Candidate for
U.S. House, Minnesota, District 2
Party	Democratic
Prior offices
Minnesota House
2 years
Education
Bachelor's	Loras College
J.D.	University of Iowa
Personal
Birthday	1973
Place of birth	Marshfield, WI
Profession	Attorney
Religion	Catholic
Websites
Campaign website
Error creating thumbnail: File seems to be missing: /var/www/ballotpedia/public_html/wiki/images/Mike_Obermueller_Logo.png Mike Obermueller campaign logo

Mike Obermueller has annnounced his candidacy in the U.S. House elections, 2014 representing the 2nd Congressional District of Minnesota. He was a 2012 Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate who sought election to the U.S. House representing the 2nd Congressional District of Minnesota. Previously, he was a Democratic-Farmer-Labor member of the Minnesota House of Representatives. He represented District 38B from 2009 to 2011. He was defeated in the 2010 general election.

Biography

Obermueller was born in Marshfield, WI. He was raised on a small family-run dairy farm. He earned his JD from the University of Iowa College of Law, and BA in Media and Public Address from Loras College.Obermueller is a member of the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce, Eagan Art Festival Board, Knights of Columbus, and Saint Thomas Becket Catholic Church.

Career

He has worked as a criminal prosecutor, Director of College Dining Service/Catering Business at Mount Marty College, and an Associate with Winthrop and Weinstine, Practicing Attorneys.

Elections

2014

See also: Minnesota's 2nd congressional district elections, 2012

Obermuller is a candidate in the 2014 election for the U.S. House of Representatives representing the 2nd Congressional district of Minnesota.

2012

See also: Minnesota's 2nd congressional district elections, 2012

Obermueller ran in the 2012 election for the U.S. House, representing Minnesota's 2nd District. He lost to incumbent John Kline in the November general elections.

U.S. House, Minnesota, District 2, General Election, 2012
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	John Kline Incumbent	54%	193,587
	Democratic	Mike Obermueller	45.8%	164,338
	NA	Write-in	0.1%	521
Total Votes				358,446
Source: Minnesota Secretary of State, "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

Effect of redistricting

See also: Redistricting in Minnesota

According to the Washington Post, redistricting has transformed the 2nd district from a safe seat into a swing district. While the 2nd formerly went safely for Republican John Kline, the newly drawn district will be a battleground for Republicans and Democrats fighting for control of the House. Democratic leadership has selected Obermueller as their "Red to Blue" program candidate.

Given the new district maps, Democrats in the state say they have better odds of defeating incumbent John Kline (R), who won his last election by a 30 percent margin. Democrats hope that Kline's south suburban and rural district, which includes a southeastern swath of Minnesota from Dakota County to Wabasha County and over to Scott and Rice counties, could turn in their favor.

Media

Obermueller first campaign ad aired on October 8, 2012.

Mike Obermueller, "Pizza"

Campaign Issues

The policy positions below are highlighted on Obermueller's campaign website.

• Cutting Wasteful Spending and Reducing the National Debt

Excerpt: "First, we need to cut spending. We can start right away by eliminating more than $200 billion in government redundancies and waste identified by the non-partisan Government Accountability Office (GAO)....Second, we need to end tax subsidies for big oil companies and ask millionaires to pay their fair share."

• Creating Jobs

Excerpt: "Mike will work to create an environment in which small businesses can thrive as members of our communities to encourage new job creation and entrepreneurship."

• Education

Excerpt: "A strong public education system means a strong long-term economy. In order to achieve this, we must lower our class sizes, adopt high standards for schools that reward creativity, train and retain the best teachers and provide higher education that is affordable and accessible to all qualified students."

• Energy

Excerpt: "We need a comprehensive energy plan which works towards energy independence and sustainability. Investing in the production of clean and renewable energy is not only a step toward sustainability but will be a boost to the economy, particularly in rural communities."

• Seniors

Excerpt: "Social Security and Medicare are earned benefits and part of a solemn promise we’ve made to our seniors. We must protect and defend these rights from those willing to put our seniors at risk."

• Women’s Rights

Excerpt: "All women deserve equal pay for equal work; access to effective birth control; and the right to make their own medical decisions in consultation with their doctors."

• Agriculture

Excerpt: "Mike will work to protect small, family farms and smart farm policy."

• Securing the Homeland

Excerpt: "When facing international conflict, the United States needs to exhaust every possible option before putting our military in harm’s way and using force. However, the United States needs to reserve the right to use force, once all other options have been exhausted. We need to maintain a strong military in case its participation is necessary."

• Honoring Our Veterans

Excerpt: "We need to make sure we’re not only fully funding our men and women in the armed forces when they are in the field, but when they come back home as well. They deserve education as well as care for those coming back with injuries and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder."

2010

See also: Minnesota House of Representatives elections, 2010

Obermueller ran for re-election to the District 38B Seat in 2010. He had no primary opposition. He was defeated by Doug Wardlow (R) in the general election on November 2, 2010.

2008

On November 4, 2008, Mike Obermueller won election to the District 38B Seat in the Minnesota House of Representatives, defeating Lynn Wardlow.

Mike Obermueller raised $41,708 for his campaign.

Minnesota House of Representatives, District 38B (2008)
Candidates		Votes	Percent
Mike Obermueller (DFL)		10,712	51.19%
Lynn Wardlow (R)		10,193	48.71%
Write-In		19	0.09%

Campaign donors

2012

Above is a breakdown of funds for the 2012 election, according to source.

Obermueller lost the United States House of Representatives election in 2012. During that election cycle, Obermueller's campaign committee raised a total of $717,173 and spent $705,166.

United States House of Representatives, 2012 - Mike Obermueller Campaign Contributions
Total Raised	$717,173
Total Spent	$705,166
Total Raised by Election Winner	$2,352,676
Total Spent by Election Winner	$1,957,356
Top contributors to Mike Obermueller's campaign committee
American Postal Workers Union	$10,000
AmeriPAC: The Fund for a Greater America	$10,000
Intl Brotherhood of Electrical Workers	$10,000
Ironworkers Union	$10,000
Laborers Union	$10,000
Top 5 industries that contributed to campaign committee
Retired	$79,587
Lawyers/Law Firms	$43,925
Building Trade Unions	$41,000
Industrial Unions	$36,750
Leadership PACs	$35,126

2008

Donor	Amount
Public Fund	$6,580
38th Senate District Democrat-Farmer-Labor	$3,069

Committee assignments

Prior to leaving the house, he served on the following committees:

• Bioscience and Workforce Development Policy and Oversight Division (Vice Chair)
• Energy Finance and Policy Division
• Higher Education and Workforce Development Finance and Policy Division
• K-12 Education Policy and Oversight

Recent news

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Mike Obermueller News Feed

• Top Republican says six MN US House seats could be in play in 2014 - Minnesota Public Radio
• Minnesota's second District - Minnesota Daily
• The Daily Digest (Honour runs for governor, E-Verify, online sales taxes) - Minnesota Public Radio

Personal

Obermueller is married to his wife, Sarah and has two children.

External links

• Mike Obermueller's campaign website
• Minnesota House of Representatives - Rep. Obermueller
• Project Vote Smart legislative profile
• Project Vote Smart biography
• Facebook Page
• Twitter Account
• MySpace Page