Mitchell

Things are getting interesting in my home town:

Sen. Ed Olson is a Republican.

Former state Sen. Mel Olson is a Democrat.

They are both from Mitchell.

They are not related.

Both are members of the new Mainstream Coalition of moderate politicians who say they are standing up to critics who are not tolerant of their views.

Recently, former Republican state Rep. Dan Matthews of Mitchell said Ed Olson's membership in the group was a catalyst in considering challenging him in a primary.

That possibility didn't sit well with Mel Olson.

"If he (Matthews) does challenge Ed and defeats him, I will run for the Senate as an independent candidate in November," Mel Olson said.

It's not that he is champing at the bit to get back into politics.

"It seems to me statewide there is less and less tolerance to anyone who doesn't follow straight down the line," Mel Olson said. "In 1993, when I came to the Legislature, people felt strongly about things. You could not move them, but you could work with them on issues. When I left the Legislature, it was more that 'If you don't agree with me on the big thing, I won't work with you on anything.' "

Allen Lepke, chairman of the Davison County Republicans, was surprised by the possibility.

"I don't think it would be detrimental to politics in this county," Lepke said. "Both Dan and Ed are more than capable of being in the Senate. And both Mel and Dan are well known. It would be a good race."