One day after he filed his bid for re-election, District 27A Rep. Rich Murray said he is ready to step into the role of being the voice for Greater Minnesota.

Facing off in November against former Wells Mayor Shannon Savick, DFL-Wells, and William Wagner, I-Geneva, Murray said it is time to take a more active role in standing up for disparities between the metro parts of the state and Greater Minnesota.

He noted the importance of legislators working together with both parties to get tasks accomplished.

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve the residents of District 27A for the past two years,” Murray said. “I have enjoyed getting to know new people, reacquainting myself with people I’ve met over the years and listening to them to gain knowledge about the issues important to them.”

He said he will continue to work on fostering job growth and noted that as a small business owner he knows how difficult it can be to grow and expand a business. He noted while government cannot create businesses, it can create a better business environment that can help jobs.

He will also focus on fixing roads and bridges and said he recognizes the importance of improving education and giving the state’s children a “world-class education.” That goes hand-in-hand with helping the state’s teachers grow as well.

President and owner of ISC Financial Advisors in Albert Lea, Murray has been a resident of Albert Lea for more than 25 years.

Already starting to work on his campaign within the new district boundaries, he said he recently knocked on about 400 doors in Wells with another person and has also visited Kiester, Walters and Blooming Prairie, which are all new to the district.

He said he is aiming for a positive campaign where he is interacting with the electorate, showing them how much he cares about the area.

He said he has been happy to represent District 27A and hopes people will support him for another term.

“I promise you, you will not be unhappy with my work,” Murray said.

The following is a brief description of Murray’s opponents, Savick and Wagner.

Shannon Savick

Though Savick of Wells initially planned to run for the Legislature in District 24B against Republican Tony Cornish before the districts were reorganized, she is continuing forward with her plans for office within the new district boundaries.

She said she decided to run for office after seeing firsthand in Wells how the Legislature’s decisions can affect small communities. She spent time on the Wells City Council and as the city’s mayor.

She said the first year she was mayor she saw a $200,000 cut in the city’s local government aid; the second year there was a $250,000 cut.

At one point, she had to ask herself if she should fire a police officer or raise taxes.

“I don’t think we’re being represented rightly with the current Legislature,” she said.

She also pointed out the importance of investing in education because having skilled workers is what will attract high-tech companies.

Savick has a bachelor’s degree in math and physics and a master’s degree in business administration. She has lived in Wells for five years.

She worked in the computer industry for 28 years and is currently retired.

“I’m really excited about the potential,” Savick said.

She noted she will be starting to knock on doors in the near future first in Blooming Prairie and Hayfield and then in Albert Lea.

She is working on planning fundraisers with some of the state’s top DFL leaders and is working to make her name better known, particularly in Albert Lea.

William Wagner

Wagner, who has lived in Geneva for about eight years, said in March he decided to run for office because he wants to make a difference.

The owner of a small hobby farm with goats, pigs and one cow, he has previously served on the city council in New Market, along with the planning and zoning commission there.

He ran for office against former District 27A Rep. Robin Brown in 2008.

Just as in that year, he said his top priority is jobs.

“I’d like to see better jobs, better-paying jobs,” Wagner said.

He said he is also a promoter of better education.