Dino Guerin was once a popular City Council member and county commissioner on St. Paul’s East Side. But then came the gambling revelations, and 10 years ago he had to step down from public office after pleading guilty to writing bad checks.
Guerin kept his fire department job and is now a district chief. He’s stayed visible in the community, and now says he’s ready for a political-comeback attempt. He filed to run for the state Senate District 67 seat in St. Paul being vacated by the retiring Mee Moua.
He’s the only Independence Party candidate in the crowded field, so he’ll move directly to the Nov. 2 election. Because it’s long been a safe DFL seat, nine DFLers have piled in and will battle it out in the August primary. Exiting Police Chief John Harrington has the most name recognition in the DFL pack. Republican-endorsed Krysia Weidell is also in the race.
Guerin told the Pioneer Press that he’s got two main issues:
The first is to eliminate the state House of Representatives. “You’ve got two bodies doing the same thing,” he said. “It really is a waste of time.”
The second is to expand gambling so every city could petition the state to build casinos. “Gambling is all over the place, and the problem gamblers are going to lose their money, anyway,” he said. “It would allow us to funnel money to better treatment programs. I’ve been through our treatment programs, and neither is that good.”
