Minnesota: Party Endorsements

Minnesota Congressional District Democratic delegates met around the state over the weekend and attenders from certain local CD conventions endorsed candidates.  As reported here yesterday, no endorsement was reached in the open 8th District to replace the retiring Rep. Rick Nolan (D-Crosby/Duluth), meaning a multi-candidate primary contest will ensue as a result.  The Minnesota primary is scheduled for August 14th. 
 
In the southeastern 2nd District, a race that was decided in 2016 by only two percentage points between now Representative Jason Lewis (R-Woodbury) and retired healthcare company executive Angie Craig (D), Democratic delegates reaffirmed their support for Ms. Craig and we can expect to see a re-match of the close campaign come this November. 
 
In the 3rd District, where incumbent Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-Eden Prairie) scored a 57% victory despite President Trump losing the suburban district by ten points, Democratic delegates are going in a different direction.  While then-state Sen. Terri Bonoff (D) spent up to $2 million not counting outside expenditures on her behalf, the delegates turned to a candidate who has the ability to self-fund, Phillips Distilling Company heir Dean Phillips.  Ms. Bonoff did not seek a re-match. 
 
Minnesota will be a hot political state this year.  With an open Governor’s race, two US Senate campaigns, and potentially five of the state’s eight congressional districts in competitive status, voters in the Land of 10,000 Lakes will have a major say in how the national midterm elections unfold.

--Jim Ellis