Due to a lack of contested races, the party’s state convention was sparsely attended and tepid in tone. It took all of six minutes for delegates to nominate and endorse both Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan by acclamation.
Not since 1994 has a non-endorsed GOP candidate won Minnesota’s Republicans primary, which means candidates must cater to the most active and conservative party members — the 2,000 delegates who show up at the state convention.
Munson is one of the front-runners in the special election to replace former U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn. But he also faces intense opposition from many of his fellow GOP legislators.
A common theme at the state Republican convention was electability — how the party can win more votes in DFL-friendly Minneapolis, St. Paul and the surrounding suburbs, where most voters don’t support many of the policies GOP candidates for governor have campaigned on.
Jensen, a one-term Minnesota state senator and family doctor who rose to national prominence as a critic of COVID-19 restrictions, prevailed over four other Republican candidates.
DFL state Rep. Jen Schultz of Duluth specifically cited Stauber’s relationship with labor in announcing her campaign to represent Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District.
At one point, 7th District Democrats had three possible candidates, but two no longer live in the district after the state redrew its political maps. And the third says he’s leaving the U.S. to fight for Ukraine.
The 20 hopefuls will first run in a May 24 primary before an Aug. 9 special election, the winner of which will represent the district until the winner of the November regular election takes over.
Outside the metro, Minnesota’s new political maps aren’t likely to spark a huge shift in power. But that doesn’t mean redistricting won’t lead to some important political developments.
As one of the few DFLers representing a deep red area of Greater Minnesota, Marquart’s departure could play a role in who controls the House next year.
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