Trump rally attracts huge local supporter

Loretta Ladsten of Mabel may be one of the most enthusiastic Trump supporters in Fillmore County. So when she heard that the president was going to be at a rally in Rochester, she “rallied” her family to attend. “It’s not every day that you get to see the president of the United States,” Loretta exclaimed. “It was one of the best days ever.”

On October 4, about 10,000 people packed the civic center with another 1,000 watching on a giant screen outside. Under tight security and a few protesters, Loretta waited in line for nearly four hours to get a place inside. By 3 p.m., the line to get into the rally stretched about a half-mile long and wound behind a parking ramp over to a walking trail near the Zumbro River.

“We were lucky,” Ladsten said. “We parked at my nephew’s house and he drove us to the rally, and also picked us up. As we waited in line, we met lots of people. There were dozens of vendors selling clothing, scarves and the “Make America Great Again” hats. My brother bought one and we were all given Trump signs as souvenirs. It was definitely worth the wait.” 

According to Ladsten, Trump’s speech focused on urging people to vote in November. Trump lent his support to several Minnesota Republican candidates, and asked state Rep. Karen Housley to join him on the stage to speak on how she would defeat Tina Smith for Smith’s seat in the Senate.

Republican Jim Hagedorn, who is seeking an open congressional seat in the 1st Congressional District, has been a supporter of Trump and said he hopes the publicity from the rally will help put him over the top. Hagedorn joined U.S. Rep. Jason Lewis on stage. Lewis is facing a close re-election race in the Minneapolis suburbs.

Ladsten believes Trump has done a good job shaking things up in Washington and supports him in accomplishing his goals. “I’ve been involved in politics for about 40 years,” Ladsten said. “Every week, I get about 30 letters from different organizations across the country. I buy 200 stamps at a time and send out petitions and surveys. It’s my way of doing my part, and feel lucky and blessed to live in America.”

When Ladsten was asked what has been Trump’s biggest accomplishment thus far, she said, “He has put God back in the presidency. I had an aunt who was a nun and she always used to say, ‘He who offers God a second place offers Him no place.’ Trump stands by God and his word. He’s a great American and I’m proud to be one of his biggest supporters. I feel very fortunate to have been a part of this historic day.”

When asked what’s the most pressing issue we face in America today, Ladsten said, “Getting people to work again and stop freeloading off the government. If someone is healthy, they should work for a living and not take a free hand-out. My husband, Norval, and I were married in 1960 and worked hard our entire lives. It’s difficult to see so many that take advantage of the system. We were taught that nothing is free.” 

Ladsten recalled the last time she saw a president and that was in La Crosse when Ronald Reagan was there. “This time may have been even more special because my family was with me and we made a whole day of it. My brother made a wonderful chicken soup that we ate for lunch when we picked him up, and had it again when we dropped him off that night. We didn’t get home until after midnight!”