Rich Shares His Thoughts "Blog" Style

Tuesday, October 31st: Happy Halloween:
Coach the Blogger: Those 2 things together don't seem logical. But it has been wonderful staying in contact with so many of you and hopefully you have been getting a small insight into this amazing, but often challenging process. We are a week away from the election. It is time! I constantly preach to my own family and often did it to my students, that we should not wish days away. They are too valuable, and great things happen to all of us on a daily basis. I won't alter my feelings even for this long crusade.

I again carry with me, an attitude of gratitude. I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart. The effort that has been put forth by so many people, for the ol' coach is quite overwhelming. Often embarrassing. You never plan to see your face on a billboard or hear your name constantly on the radio. From my field staff, to my door knocking buddies to all the people that continue to donate money. I will never be able to repay you all. I can only go to the Capitol and be the same person I have always been. I will work tirelessly and always think of you and the people of this great city when I make a decision. I will listen, learn, and will have the courage and competitiveness to stand up to anyone and make decisions that will be in the best interest of all of you. Putting community over partisan politics will remain a central theme of my stay there. Please remember, that no matter what happens in a week, how grateful I am.

After all the negatives hit us last week, many people ask if I would have done it all again knowing what was ahead. Someone has to step up and make a difference. Waiting for others just hasn't been what I'm about. It is disheartening to hear and read what has been said about me, but I wanted to walk out with my head up, and I feel we have risen above it all and that I'm one of the few people that could have the courage to try and change the system once elected. What a tremendous waste of resources and why beat up your neighbors. Questioning a past vote by someone, or challenging something I said during a debate is different, but attacking a person's character is so sad, I can't imagine a person winning and looking back and thinking that might have made a difference. That would be hard to live with.

No matter how you feel about the process, it still is one of the best in the world. Make sure and vote!!!! Remind your friend or neighbor. If you have a few extra minutes this weekend, please volunteer to help us call, just to remind people to vote, easy calls. I hope to talk to all of you after the election. I'm out the door, walking my normal 4-5 hours before it gets dark. A guy the other day, sad that he would vote for me, if I would stay out of his neighborhood, it was like my 4th time through. I vowed to be back in the final week.

God bless you all and no matter what happens we are all walking out winners. Rich

Sunday, September 24th: With Gratitude & Appreciation:
Blogging from the Coach:  To you, the one who has made some form of contribution to our campaign: Coach here. I know it's a long overdue thank you and update from the candidate for Dist. House seat 29B. Of primary importance is to wish everyone a wonderful fall and to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your participation in all that has happened thus far.

I have stated publicly many times, that I will be walking out a winner no matter what happens on Nov. 7th. The journey has been hard work, challenging, but wonderful. Primarily because of all the people I have either reconnected with or have met for the first time. Imagine if you set out to meet 10,000 new people in a 6 month span. That's what I have done, and the experience has been amazing. Some of you that I have met may not vote for me, but I consider all of you as new friends.

I continue to be myself and speak from the heart. No political canned speeches. We all remain very positive and pledge to enjoy the journey. It is great to have Cathy Farley back from the summer, so we can finish this campaign out, by using our web site more effectively. My 2 field staff Sara and Tim have made the entire trip possible. It would not have been remotely possible to hang in there without them. My 2 primary door knocking buddies, John Ernste and Jerry Hrabe have been incredible. With school starting it now is primarily John, but you should have seen ol' Mr. Hrabe out there when the heat index was over 100 degrees, it was a sight. His fellow students would have loved the day he stepped into some fresh sidewalk cement. Just another unforgettable Hrabe moment. Kind of like the day I patched his eye up at school after one of his frequent bike accidents. Being he would never go to a doctor, I took the lead. You have to love him.

My days are filled right now with meetings, endorsement interviews and door knocking. You name it and I'm usually there, unless one conflicts with the another, as will happen this Monday night as the Farm Bureau wants to talk. No. I don't know much about the organization, but I'm very willing to learn, plus I have some great local legislators that help me on some of these issues. Being able to listen and learn as much as possible remains the single most important factor for this future legislator, now or at the Capitol. Then it comes down to making hard decisions that will not be impacted by undue influence of a political party system or any special interest group.

Even though I have been endorsed by some wonderful groups, I still have taken none of their money and continue to send back whatever I'm sent. We can always use more money from private donations, please never hesitate to send some. Just send to our campaign, PO box 683 in Roch. 55903. Remember you will be refunded through the State Reimbursement program. Our treasurer Terri Poterucha has been amazing. What a gift she has been!

Please stay in contact with us. Pass the word to everyone, especially to fellow students, that might need to vote absentee. I promise to update you again soon. This is the 4th quarter and there will be no overtime. It is a win or done situation, but as we reflect, we are certain we put our heart and soul into it to run a professional, positive and sincere campaign. What you see on the campaign trail will be the same type of caring that we will take to the Capitol. To everyone, another huge thanks for everything. Your support and commitment to sending me to St. Paul will be something that will be hard to repay. God Bless all of you. You are in my prayers and please include me in yours. I will talk more soon.

Candidate Decker

Sunday, September 24th: Lawn Sign Requests
From the Campaign Manager:  As Rich Decker's campaign manager I have spent a considerable amount of time placing lawn signs. We had 600 signs, and I am happy to say we have had all of them up since September 20th except for about twenty that we have held back for special requests, replacements due to damage, or theft. We continue to receive requests from voters who want a sign in their yard or business, and have had to decline some of them due to supply. To all those voters, thank you for showing your support for Rich Decker. Over the next few days Rich hopes you're home when he stops by to extend his personal thanks!

Yes, we have lost some lawn signs. Why? The feedback I get is that many of Rich Decker's friends and former students (especially those still in college) see these signs as a momento of Rich's excellent years as their History and Government teacher or basketball coach. At least ten of the Rich Decker lawn signs have been seen in college dorm windows at Winona, Mankato, and Eau Claire. We thank those students for proudly displaying the Decker signs, and hope this serves as a reminder to other students at those schools who are eligible District 29B voters to apply NOW for their absentee ballots. (click here to request your absentee ballot application).

I have also found that losing lawn signs has been, on the whole, a positive benefit to our campaign because of the discussion it has generated in District 29B neighborhoods. And when I have gone out to replace a missing lawn sign, there are often five or six neighbors who come outside to express to me how angry they are at "whoever stole your sign!" I see most of these concerned neighbors as Rich Decker voters!!

John Ernste
Rich Decker for State House
Campaign Manager

Sunday, May 14th  Happy Mother's Day
Blogging from the Coach:  What is this world coming to? First the ol' coach is gone MAD (Making a Difference) by running for the State Legislature and now he's out on the web, blogging with old friends, new supporters and even people he doesn't know.

Change is great and positive! It always seems to involve more work, but that never bothered me. I continue to carry my 'attitude of gratitude' everywhere I go. We all have a great deal to be thankful for and I'm no exception. I continue to stay positive, taking the high road and being very thankful for all that has happened to me. Especially for all the support and effort wrapped up in the this run to the Capitol.

Government was always part of my life, because it was part of class, and now I can be a member of the Legislature that will directly impact everyone in the state. The amount of love and support that I have already felt is pretty overwhelming, and for that, a huge THANKS!! In my next couple communications I will outline some of the events and people that I have had a chance to experience already.

We entered this race to 'make and difference' and we all know you can't do that unless you win. I have been fortunate, over my life to experience winning, much more than losing and this will be no exception. In the end I believe I can do a great job in St. Paul, for Dist. 29B and Rochester, and for all the citizens of Minn.

Rochester needs a person that will not only work with people of any party, but will be willing to fight and claw for what's right for our community. I never worried about the size of the opponent, the site of the game or the arena it was played in. Like you, I'm tired of partisan politics and it will be one of my primary goals to eliminate that gridlock.

My days now are filled with meetings and campaigning. Please contact me, or anyone on my staff, especially Cathy Farley if you can help in any way. Also know that we are constantly fund raising and we need your help. The time is short, and need is great. Know that your contribution, up to 100.00 per couple or 50.00 per individual is totally refundable. Amazing but true, people have been getting their money back in 4-5 weeks. We'll help you with the easy process.

I will be talking to all very soon. Call me anytime and please know I will listen to you. Together we can make a difference.
God Bless! Rich (Coach)