Even with highly publicized partisan primaries on Tuesday in the 1st and 8th Congressional Districts, Secretary of State Mark Ritchie expects a relatively light turnout at the polls.
In southern Minnesota’s 1st District, Republicans Mike Parry and Allen Quist are competing to challenge incumbent Congressman Tim Walz.
A three-way DFL race in the 8th District in northeastern Minnesota pits Tarryl Clark, Rick Nolan and Jeff Anderson. The winner will take on GOP incumbent U.S. Rep. Chip Cravaack.
Still, Ritchie doesn’t expect large numbers of voters. He’s quoted in the Red Wing Republican Eagle:
“The interest is going to be very concentrated in just one party in each of these (two House districts) and within that it will be a high activist group,. The habit of Minnesota is huge turnout in general elections and relatively low turnout in primaries.”
There will be statewide primaries for two Supreme Court races, too:
Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea is being challenged by Jill Clark and Dan Griffith, and the court’s newest justice, David Stras, faces two opponents: Alan Nelson and Tim Tingelstad.
Democracy FAIL
I hope the voters prove Ritchie wrong. I sure he hopes for the same.