Jim Schultz: “Do we need a new election in Shakopee? Is the Pope Catholic? The obvious answer is ‘Yes.’”

MINNETONKA, Minn. – With the recount in District 54A (Shakopee) complete, Jim Schultz, President of the Minnesota Private Business Council (MPBC), is renewing his call for a new election in the district. Schultz is urging Scott County Commissioners to demand publicly a new election and lead or join appropriate legal challenges to ensure the will of voters in Shakopee is respected.

“Do we need a new election in Shakopee? Is the Pope Catholic? The obvious answer is ‘Yes,’” said Schultz. “When there are 21 missing ballots and one candidate is ahead by a fraction of that, the only answer is that there must be a new election.”

The recount in the race concluded yesterday with DFL Rep. Brad Tabke holding a razor-thin 15-vote lead over Republican Aaron Paul. Meanwhile, 21 absentee ballots from Shakopee’s 10th precinct remain unaccounted for.

Schultz concluded: “We simply don’t know the will of voters in the district, making a new election essential to respect the will of the voters and uphold our democratic institutions. Scott County Commissioners should do what is right and call for a new election and lead or join appropriate efforts before the courts to obtain it.”

About the Minnesota Private Business Council:

The Minnesota Private Business Council advocates for commonsense policies supporting Minnesota industry and innovation and benefiting Minnesota’s workers, families, and communities. Comprised of privately held businesses from a broad array of Minnesota industries, the Minnesota Private Business Council advocates for policies leading to job growth, new business creation and entrepreneurship, and broad-based well-being for Minnesota’s workers and their families. For more information, please visit www.GrowthMN.com.