Duffy launches campaign at Graymont in Superior

Congressman Sean Duffy visited the Graymont lime plant Thursday in Superior to kick off his re-election campaign.

“That I have the honor and the privilege to serve the area that I love for me is, never would have dreamt that,” said the Hayward native who now lives in Weston. “I promise that every day I will continue to work my heart out to make sure that we have policies and procedures in place that will allow our economy to grow, that will help put our families back to work, that will help our small businesses do what they do best, which is expand, grow and create jobs.”

With a debt crisis on the country’s doorstep, Duffy said, this is an important election for America.

“We need leaders with bold ideas that will come out with plans to fix the problems we face,” he said. “I’m running for congress to provide those bold ideas and that bold leadership because I see a better future, an America with better small businesses and stronger families.”

He highlighted the need for tax reform, a cap on government spending and a halt to a slew of new regulations that impact American businesses.

“We’re not talking about getting rid of all the regulations, all the rules, what we’re saying is let’s have a moratorium, stop with the new rules,” Duffy said. “Let our businesses, let our manufacturers, focus on what they do best, which is expanding and growing their business.”

The Republican congressman for the 7th District didn’t say much about his Democratic challenger in the November election, Pat Kreitlow of Chippewa Falls. He did focus on bipartisan issues he has supported in his first term and the importance of giving American businesses the ability to be competitive in this global economy.

Bonnie Baker, secretary for the Republican Party of Douglas County, said it was an honor for Duffy to hold the campaign kick-off in Superior. He’s a good communicator, she said, who lets constituents know what he’s voted on, how he voted and why.

“And he does listen,” Baker said.

The event also showcased Graymont, which celebrated its 100th anniversary with an open house the same day. The lime operation opened in Duluth in 1912 and moved to its current Superior location in 1946, according to plant manager Phil Marquis. Graymont, the third largest lime producer in North America, bought the operation in 2007.

About one million tons of limestone is shipped into the dock facility each year, and about 600,000 tons of product travels out annually by rail and truck. At the plant, limestone is heated to release carbon dioxide, and is prepared for use in the power, pulp, food and steel industries. Lime from Graymont can is used for a wide variety of applications, from treating wastewater and removing sulfur at coal power plants to agricultural applications and the manufacture of roof shingles.

The plant has 55 employees and utilizes a 100-year-old trolley crane bridge to move the limestone along the dock. The structure, which travels on rails, was originally used to carry coal when the site was a coal dock.

Duffy’s visit was not a political endorsement from the business, Marquis said.

“It was just an opportunity for the plant to let people know who we are,” he said. “A lot of people don’t know what we do.”

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