July 2, 2008 - Ted Officially Files for Office

 Ted Butler, the DFL-endorsed candidate for the State House of Representatives in District 49A, officially filed for office on Wednesday.  District 49A includes most of Andover and all of Ham Lake. 

“This makes official what we’ve been working on for months already, winning this election in order to create a better, more prosperous future for Minnesota”, Butler said.

Butler currently serves on the Andover Parks & Recreation Commission, the Andover Community Center Advisory Commission and the District 11 Community Education Advisory Council and has previously served as an election judge. 

June 7 , 2008 - Ted Leads Clean Up of Andover Lions Park

Ted Butler, the DFL-endorsed candidate for the State House of Representatives in District 49A, led several volunteers in a clean up of Andover Lions Park Saturday morning. District 49A includes most of Andover and all of Ham Lake. Butler also serves as a Parks Commissioner for the City of Andover.

“When I decided to run for the Legislature, it was because I wanted to make a difference in our community and our State. That remains my commitment today. But we will work to make a difference in our community even before the election”, Butler said.

Andover Lions Park was recently adopted by Senate District 49 DFL, the local unit of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, as part of the City of Andover’s Adopt-a-Park program.

In addition to the Parks & Recreation Commission, Butler serves on the Andover Community Center Advisory Commission and the District 11 Community Education Advisory Council and has previously served as an election judge.

March 16, 2008 - Ted Receives Unanimous Endorsement of District 49A DFL delegates.

Ted Butler received the unanimous endorsement of District 49A delegates on Saturday at the district’s convention held at Coon Rapids High School.  The district is made up of the cities of Andover and Ham Lake.

“I’m running because it is time for change and a new direction for Minnesota and we need a strong voice in St. Paul to get our State moving forward again”, Butler said.

Butler believes that the residents of Andover and Ham Lake are ready for a change in representation after years of mounting traffic congestion on Highways 10 and 65, rising property taxes and health care costs, and a faltering Minnesota economy. 

“We can do better for Andover and Ham Lake and we can do better for Minnesota...we can do better when every one of us has the security of knowing we have access to affordable health care when we need it and that we’re not just a health care crisis away from losing our homes.”

District 49A is currently represented by Chris DeLaForest, who is not seeking re-election. 

Butler serves on the Andover Parks & Recreation and Community Center Advisory Commissions as well as the District 11 Community Education Advisory Council.  He has also previously served as an election judge. 

Butler began his professional career as an internal auditor for the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities in 1999.  Since 2002, he has managed the finances of the University’s employee health care plans. 

Butler and his wife, Andrea, have been residents of Andover since 2000 and have a two-year-old son, Kellen.  They are active members of St. Stephen’s Church. 

February 19 , 2008 - Press Release Issued to Star Tribune, Pioneer Press, and Anoka County Union

Chris DeLaForest, who has represented the citizens of District 49A (Andover and Ham Lake) in the State House of Representatives since 2003, announced his retirement from the Legislature on Monday.  I wish to express my gratitude to Representative DeLaForest for his service to our district and wish him well in his future endeavors. 

News of Rep. DeLaForest’s retirement comes at a time when we need change and a new direction for Minnesota.  Our friends and neighbors have lost their jobs because Minnesota’s economy has faltered and fallen behind the rest of the nation.  Families are struggling to pay for skyrocketing property taxes and unaffordable health care.  And working moms and dads are paying a tax on time with their families because of our aging roads and mounting traffic congestion.

I’m running for State House of Representatives because I care deeply about our community.  I will work toward a future in which Minnesota has invested in the infrastructure, research, and technology needed to nurture the next generation of companies like Medtronic and 3M, providing high quality jobs to Minnesotans for generations to come.  I will work toward a future in which families can be confident that they won’t be taxed out of their homes and that they will have affordable access to the health care they need.  And I will work for a future in which moms and dads can get home from work quickly and safely to spend time with their families.

I appreciate Representative DeLaForest’s dedicated service to our community.  It is now time for a fresh voice for our community and a new direction for Minnesota.

January 13, 2008 - Press Release Issued to Star Tribune, Pioneer Press, and Anoka County Union

Ted Butler Announces Campaign for State House of Representatives

Andover Parks Commissioner Ted Butler announced before a large crowd of family and friends that he will seek the DFL party endorsement for State House of Representatives in District 49A, located in Andover and Ham Lake.

“Andover and Ham Lake deserve real representation of our community values and a Representative who will set priorities for the future of our communities and our State”, Butler said.

Butler believes that the residents of Andover and Ham Lake are ready for a change in representation after years of mounting traffic congestion on Highways 10 and 65, rising property taxes and health care costs, and a faltering Minnesota economy. 

“We need leadership on these key issues and an ability to work with other legislators to solve the challenges faced by our district, the north metro, and Minnesota as a whole.  It is clear to me that we need change in Saint Paul to get that leadership.”

Butler is an active member of the community, serving on the Andover Parks & Recreation and Community Center Advisory Commissions as well as the District 11 Community Education Advisory Council.  He has also previously served as an election judge. 

Butler received his Bachelor’s Degrees in Accounting and German with a minor in Management Information Systems from the University of Minnesota, Duluth in 1999.   In 2006, he earned a Master’s Degree in Human Resources and Industrial Relations and a Graduate Certificate in Policy Issues on Work and Pay from the University of Minnesota. 

Butler began his professional career as an internal auditor for the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities in 1999.  Since 2002, he has managed the finances of the University’s employee health care plans. 

Butler and his wife, Andrea, have been residents of Andover since 2000 and have a two-year-old son, Kellen.  They are active members of St. Stephen’s Church.