GAZELKA NOT RUNNING IN '08

Former Brainerd lawmaker Paul Gazelka said Monday that he won't be a candidate for office next fall. Gazelka was defeated for re-election in 2006 by incumbent District 12A State Representative John Ward. Gazelka said the primary reason he's not running is very personal; his family. He has five children, three of them teen-agers, and there are lots of important events coming up in their lives he said he doesn't want to miss out on. Gazelka said for now, he's looking for someone to support, someone who wants to run in the fall who agrees with his positions on family values and fiscally responsible government. He's also looking for someone who only wants to run for one term. Gazelka said by 2010, the next election cycle, he would definitely consider a run for state legislature.