Savior looking for respect, publicity

Ole Savior has been miffed at the mainstream media lately.

The DFLer-turned-Republican gubernatorial candidate has garnered barely a mention from local news organizations. He's seldom invited to forums and never included in polls.

"They don't give me any publicity," said Savior, a 60-year-old artist from Minneapolis.

Savior's media buzz reached its height earlier this spring when the perennial candidate tapped an Elvis impersonator, Todd "Elvis" Anderson, as his running mate. Savior said more than 100 news organizations ran the story, including CNN.

Back home, he said, there's little media interest in his ideas to resolve the state's budget shortfall of $5 billion to $7 billion.

To balance the state budget, Savior wants to keep the Minnesota State Fair open all year and file a class-action lawsuit against oil companies who temporarily sent gas prices soaring to more than $4 per gallon. He's also in favor

of expanding gambling in the state, possibly to help pay for another top priority, a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings.

All this can be accomplished without raising taxes, Savior said. "The reason Democrats haven't had the governor's office in 25 years is because all they do is talk about raising taxes."

How will he score a primary win against state Rep. Tom Emmer, the Republican-endorsed candidate for governor?

"He's vulnerable," said Savior, who is self-funding his campaign in part with his tax refund and winnings from his regular casino outings. "He has no plan."

Despite Savior's newfound devotion to the GOP, Minnesota Republican Party leaders are sticking by their man. That said, they said Savior shares one passion with many longstanding Republicans.

"I would say he reinforces the fact that Republicans love Elvis," said Mark Drake, a state GOP spokesman.