Iota Man running for Lt. Governor in MINNESOTA

[ladygreek]

Lourey picks ex-Viking for running mate
The Minneapolis businessman has no electoral experience, but the DFL gubernatorial hopeful said he met all her criteria.

Conrad deFiebre, Star Tribune
Last update: May 31, 2006 – 5:58 PM

Tim Baylor, a Minneapolis businessman and former Minnesota Viking with no electoral experience, was named Wednesday as the running mate for DFL gubernatorial candidate Becky Lourey.

"Did I get lucky or what?" Lourey exclaimed at a State Capitol news conference, gazing up at the 6-foot-6 Baylor, who towers 15 inches above her. He met all her criteria for a prospective lieutenant governor, she said: leadership, diverse talents, dynamic personality, extensive work experience beyond government, integrity and broad appeal to the public.

Baylor, 52, played safety for the Vikings in 1979 and 1980, then began a successful business career as the owner of two McDonald's fast-food franchises and a real estate developer. He is the founder and president of the JADT Development Group, whose current major project is the River Pointe Living townhouse and condominium community in north Minneapolis.

His political résumé is slender, limited to voting "primarily as a Democrat," he said, and some volunteer campaigning for former Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton. He described his philosophy as moderate to liberal.

"I'm not altogether clear what is in store for me, and it's going to be a learning experience," Baylor said of the coming campaign to carry the DFL banner in November. "Running for office was not on my to-do list. But how do you say no to Becky Lourey?"

He added, however, that they do not agree on every issue. State Sen. Lourey voted against the Twins stadium bill but he supported it, Baylor said. He also touched on education and health care themes, however, that harmonize well with Lourey's positions.

Other DFL candidates for governor include Attorney General Mike Hatch, state Sen. Steve Kelley and frequent filer Olé Savior, none of whom has named a running mate yet.


Conrad deFiebre • 651-222-1673