By Mark W. Olson

The died-in-the-wool Republican city of Victoria is once again proving to be an interesting politically anomaly.

Ever since Victoria was incorporated as a city in 1915, it has voted in the majority for 18 Republican presidential candidates, letting only one Democratic and one third party candidate squeeze through its grip. And it hasn't let that happen since 1968.

However, the staunchly Republican city of Victoria has hired at least two city administrators from other side of the aisle – Larry Bodahl and Steve Sarvi.

Sarvi official announced on Feb. 7 that he planned to run against Republican John Kline for the 2nd Congressional District seat.

Eighteen years ago, Bodahl, who was also serving as mayor of Waconia, ran for a state seat held by long-time Republican representative K.J. McDonald. Bodahl squeaked by with 439 votes.

Before Bodahl’s 1990 election, 1980 was the last time a majority of Carver County voters opted for a Democratic state legislator.

Bodahl’s service in the Legislature didn’t last long. In 1992, following redistricting, he was handed a decisive defeat by a former Chaska city councilor. That councilor, Carol Molnau, now serves as Minnesota’s lieutenant governor (and besieged MnDOT commissioner).

Sarvi, coincidently, served as mayor of Watertown up to a few years ago. He resigned his post in 2005, due to his tour of duty in the Minnesota National Guard.

Who was appointed in October 2005 to fill Sarvi’s mayoral post? K.J. McDonald.