Ron Erhardt (politician)

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Ron Erhardt is a legislative representative in the Minnesota House of Representatives, serving Edina, in Hennepin County, for 18 years in the Minnesota Legislature. Erhardt is a registered Republican and has always ran as a Republican (Edina being a predominantly conservative area by Minnesota standards).

Erhardt was originally elected to the House in 1990, and re-elected in 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006. He serves on these House committees: Transportation Policy (Chairman), Taxes, Transportation Finance, and Ways and Means.

[edit] Political views and voting record

Rep. Erhardt is a moderate Republican, and as such has often voted with Democrats on various issues. The abortion-rights advocacy organization NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota has given Erhardt rankings varying from 33 percent to 100 percent positive since 1998. During that same time period, he has received rankings varying 0 to 43 percent positive, from Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, a pro-life advocacy group. (Source: Project Vote Smart, www.votesmart.org)

Erhardt has also been given mixed ratings with regard to his votes on gun control legislation. From 2000 through 2006, the National Rifle Association has given Erhardt letter grades varying from B to F. (Source: Project Vote Smart, www.votesmart.org)

In 2008, Erhardt was the subject of considerable controversy when he, along with five other Republicans in the Minnesota House of Representatives, voted with House Democrats for a successful override of Governor Tim Pawlenty's veto of a statewide transportation bill. The bill included a gas tax increase dedicated to highway construction and also a sales tax increase to fund transit projects, dependent on approval of local county boards. The vote was the first successful veto override of Pawlenty's administration. Supporters of the bill, including the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, argued that an increase in funding was needed for highways and transit, as the gas tax was last increased in 1988. Critics of the bill, including the Governor Pawlenty, opposed any tax increase and also opposed investment in transit, particularly light rail transit. Republicans had proposed a competing highway bill which relied on an increase in bonding to pay for highway projects, along with balance transfers from the state's general fund.

Subsequent to the closely-watched transportation vote, Erhardt was not endorsed by the Republican Party of Minnesota in advance of the 2008 primary election. Rep Erhardt is being challenged by fellow Republican Keith Downey for a place on the November 2008 ballot.