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Ole Poll: Tight race for Minnesota House features two alumni

By Le Ann Finger '85
October 20, 2004

Both candidates for this year's Minnesota House race for District 25B, which encompasses all of Northfield, are St. Olaf graduates. Incumbent Republican Ray Cox, a 1973 graduate of the college, is being challenged by Democrat David Bly, Class of 1974 -- for the second time.

CoxVsBly04
Ray Cox (left) and David Bly debated environmental issues during an outdoor forum this summer.
Bly and Cox have lived in Northfield for three decades and are active community members. Bly is a schoolteacher at the Alternative Learning Center. Cox owns Northfield Construction.

The two credit St. Olaf with helping to shape their current political views. "St. Olaf made me realize that each person is truly given a unique set of gifts to use in life," says Cox. "St. Olaf gave me an understanding for the cultural differences in the world. It also made me understand that hard work and honesty are two of the most important virtues in life and that everyone has an opportunity to use them."

Bly, whose grandfather was a faculty member and academic dean at St. Olaf, says that the collegeŭs deep traditions and helped him hone his critical thinking and maintain a sense of commitment to community. "And I was also challenged to go further by classmates who shared and fostered those beliefs," he adds.

Because of the Vietnam War, the early 1970s were turbulent times for students across the nation. Bly remembers the antiwar protests at the St. Olaf administration building as well as a walkout at the Northfield High School and said, "I volunteered to stay and talk to [high school] staff and students about the war and why walking out of school was an expression of the belief that the war was unjust." Cox did not participate in any protests, but "we had lots of discussions on campus about how the U.S was handling things," he recalls.

Both candidates appreciate St. Olaf's role in the community. Cox notes that the college is effective at community outreach. "It has continued to allow the community to participate in cultural events for little or no expense [to attendees]," he says. "St. Olaf is one of the largest employers in town," says Bly, and "it provides the community with beautiful green space and grounds, which has been a benefit to me as an immediate neighbor."

After graduating from St. Olaf, both Bly and Cox decided to live in Northfield. Bly is the third generation of his family to live in his house. "I believe that belonging to a particular place is important. And it's important to know one place really well."

Cox agrees, "I always liked growing up and living in Northfield. There always have been interesting people living in town and visiting the town. I thought it would be a great place to raise a family."

Eight Minnesota legislators are St. Olaf alumni. As the campaign heats up this fall, we wish the best of luck to all the candidates.

Contact Le Ann Finger at 507-786-3416 or finger@stolaf.edu.