Livingstone to vie for Murphy seat

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Red Wing salesman and cartoonist Craig Livingstone announced Wednesday that he will join a growing field of Republicans vying for Sen. Steve Murphy’s seat.

“Considering the anemic health of our state’s economy, this is the time to get off the sidelines and get in the game,” Livingstone said through a press release.

Murphy, a five-term senator from Red Wing, announced Friday that he will not seek re-election this year. Red Wing Mayor John Howe and Cannon Falls auctioneer Rod Johnson have both announced they will seek the GOP endorsement for Murphy’s District 28 seat.

So far, no Democrats have publicly signaled interest in the seat.

Livingstone said he would focus on bringing jobs and commerce to the district and the state. The 58-year-old also said he would work to rein in government so it keeps pace with the state’s economy and doesn’t infringe on the private sector.

“The state should not be permitted to compete in segments of the economy that they regulate or ought to be provided by the private sector,” Livingstone said in the press release.

Livingstone is a sales representative with Q Media of Red Wing, which owns KCUE and KWNG, and is a former editorial cartoonist for the R-E.

Tags: local news, red wing, craig livingstone, news