Democrat Steve Cwodzinski believes he can beat Republican David Hann this fall because the Eden Prairie Senate district has changed demographically.
“I think I can beat him. I know I can.” says Cwodzinski. “The district’s changed. The district’s blue.” Barack Obama won the district in 2012 by a slim 402 vote margin.
“I’ll need money to beat (Hann), says Cwodzinski. “He’ll have the support of the Koch brothers and organizations like that.
Cwodzinksi received the endorsement of Senate District 48 DFL convention last week. He received exactly the required 60% majority on the first ballot edging out Joan Howe-Pullis.
Cwod Squad
Cwodzinski has taught American Government for 31 years at Eden Prairie High School and as an outspoken, thought provoking teacher he has continually been one of the most popular on the faculty. His primary campaign staff is a group of recent students identified as the “Cwod Squad.”
SD48 includes Eden Prairie and the southern half of Minnetonka.
His convention interview was cut short since he had to catch a plane to Washington, DC to join 44 of his current students at the Lincoln Memorial that evening.
Cwodzinkski’s opponent Hann has held that seat continually from 2003. Hann was elected to Minority Leader beginning with the 2013 legislative session. He was a candidate for Governor in the 2010 race, but he dropped out in February, 2010.
Cwodzinski entered the convention with the support of Minneapolis Senator Scott Dibble who addressed the convention in his behalf.
Asked if the Republicans were afraid of him, Cwodzinksi said “I have a story about that I don’t want to tell, but they should be.”
