Sterner, a popular member of the Rosemount community, was elected over Republican Judy Lindsay, who was likely hampered by what critics called her extreme right-wing views and policies.

Minnesota House district 37B includes the northeastern half of Apple Valley and all of Rosemount.

37B 2008 Results
Phillip M. Sterner: 12668 (51.77%)
Judy Linday: 11388 (46.53%)
Kurt Walter-Hansen: 168 (0.69%)
Write-in: 248 (1.01%)

Meanwhile, DFL House member Shelley Madore was not re-elected in Minnesota House District 37A, which includes the southwestern half of Apple Valley and southeastern Burnsville. Madore won in this traditionally conservative district in 2006, but was unable to overcome the overwhelming financial advantage of her opponent Tara Mack.

Mack received unprecedented financial support from conservatives from all over the state to retake the 37A seat for the Republicans after the Republican party sustained devastating political losses in 2006.

While a member of the legislature from 2006 to 2008, Madore received rewards and recognition for her efforts to improve public transportation, her commitment to conservation, and her efforts to help the disabled.

37A 2008 Results
Shelley Madore: 10633 (47.61%)
Tara Mack: 11666 (52.23%)
Write-in: 36 (0.16%)

Madore is running for re-election in Minnesota House District 37A, which includes the southwestern half of Apple Valley and southeastern Burnsville. Sterner is trying to replace retiring State Representative Dennis Ozment in House District 37B, which includes the northeastern half of Apple Valley and all of Rosemount.

Sterner overcame opposition from Kurt Walter-Hansen, a local veterinarian, and local resident Tom O’Keefe, who had thrown his hat into the ring late in the race.

A new slate of local party directors and a new Affirmative Action Officer were also elected at the convention.

A walking subcaucus also helped advance a number of delegates and alternates to the Congressional and State DFL Conventions, including supporters of Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, Senate candidate Al Franken, House candidate Steve Sarvi, and a number of other candidates running for office this year.

The 2008 SD37 DFL Convention broke attendance records once again, as did the caucus in February, with over 400 delegates and observers in the packed auditorium.

SD37 Chair PJ Voysey announced that about 3,000 people attended the caucus at Apple Valley High School, with 2,958 presidential votes cast. The previous record attendance was about 650 in 2004.

The parking lot at Apple Valley High School quickly filled to capacity between 6 pm and 7 pm, with many people having to park blocks away in nearby neighborhoods. A number of people arrived late for the Presidential Preference voting, so the voting cutoff was extended 15 minutes to allow all those who wanted to vote a chance to mark their ballots.

Despite an extremely high turnout, too few ballots, a lack of sign-up sheets, and insufficient parking, the event went relatively smoothly. Enthusiasm was very high amongst the participants, many of whom where new to the process.

The vote count in SD37 mirrored the rest of the state, with Barack Obama garning about 65% of the vote and Hillary Clinton receiving about 34%.

A large number of delegates elected at the caucus are expected to attend the SD37 convention, which will held on Saturday, March 8 at Rosemount Middle School begnning at 10 am.