A concession by former Sen. Grace Schwab, R-Albert Lea, following the District Court’s decision to determine DFLer Dan Sparks as the winner last week finally ended the lengthy dispute over the ballot count in the Senate District 27.

Sparks, an Austin banker, was sworn in at the Capitol Tuesday,. He was virtually unknown man before the campaign began last year. For Freeborn County residents, Sparks is the first DFL representation on two years. Represenatives in both the House and Senate have been from the GOP.

Southern Minnesota Legal Services paralegal Ted Hinnenkamp, who provides legal assistance for low-income families in the region, welcomes the change.

“It’s a big relief to have Sparks,” Hinnenkamp said. “He is going to represent the district much better than Grace Schwab.”

He said that Schwab’s takeover of longtime DFL Senate Pat Piper of Austin two years ago was a real setback for the people in the district.

“Pat Piper was one of the handful of people who pushed through the legislature for health insurance for children of low income families. The tax base for that was attacked by the Republicans, especially Grace Schwab,” Hinnenkamp said. “With Dan Sparks, the state and district will have another voice for kids.”

Hinnenkamp expects Sparks will defend programs for low-income people, which he thinks will eventually save a lot of state money.

“The Republicans one mantra is just taxes, nothing else,” he said. “While, the Democrats are always looking for investments. It makes sense to invest in kids for example.”

Local labor organizations also have a great expectation to have DFL representation.

“I look up on Dan Sparks as intelligent and knowledgeable, and I think he is gonna represent us as well. He understands concerns of labor and common man, guys going out and work their hands every day,” said Albert Lea Trade and Labor Assembly President Dick Hagen.

He commended Republican Schwab and Rep. Dan Dorman for their efforts in the Farmland crisis,

for which they crafted a bill to extend unemployment benefits. But, Hagen believes the traditional relation between labor groups and the DFL will bring greater good for the working class needs.

Former GOP House and Senate member Paul Overgaard, who was campaign manager for Schwab in the election, said, “Probably what remains to be seen is whether Dan can go against his caucus. Most of Senate DFL members are from core cities and Iron Range. They have decidedly different legislative objectives from we do down here in many instances.”

He foresees that the local Government aid and school funding, which GOP intends to change formula to advantage rural area, would be the challenges that Sparks may have to confront.

“Grace had two years of experience, and demonstrated ability to work with both parties and achieve legislation. Now, we got a guy who has to be on the learning process. That’s also a challenge,” Overgaard said.