by Betsy Sundquist, Politics in Minnesota
April 24,2010
Two heavy hitters from the Minnesota Republican Party showed up this afternoon in Duluth for the state DFL convention: deputy chair Michael Brodkorb and communications director Mark Drake.
“I plan to sit politely in the stands,” Brodkorb said, hanging out with Drake in the arena’s exhibit hall, surrounded on all sides by DFLers. “I understand that this is a political convention and that I’m in the DFL’s house. I plan to be very polite and courteous.”
Brodkorb is in Duluth to observe the process and provide his party’s official response after DFLers endorse a gubernatorial candidate sometime later today (or tomorrow morning). He said he’s been to every state DFL convention since 1996.
“The glamorous life of politics: sitting in the top row of the DECC with Mark Drake, drinking warm water and eating Girl Scout cookies,” Brodkorb tweeted a few minutes ago.
Brodkorb predicted that Margaret Anderson Kelliher will land on top after the first ballot, and after that it will be a two-way race between Kelliher and R.T. Rybak, with Paul Thissen in third place.
He and Drake listened to candidate speeches on the drive north this morning, and Brodkorb called Tom Rukavina’s arena-shaking speech the “most entertaining and authentic” of all the candidate speeches. “He is refreshingly honest,” Brodkorb conceded, echoing Rukavina’s campaign slogan.
Minnesota Republicans will endorse a gubernatorial candidate next weekend in Minneapolis, and the GOP field isn’t anywhere near as cluttered as the DFL’s, even after this weekend’s endorsement battle finally ends (no fewer than six DFL gubernatorial candidates will appear on the August primary ballot).
“I think the Democrats will lose the governor’s office again, regardless of who’s endorsed,” Brodkorb said. “After next weekend, we will be united, and they won’t have a candidate until late August.”
Showing posts with label minnesota GOP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label minnesota GOP. Show all posts
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
IT'S OFFICIAL: SIVARAJAH IS SEIFERT'S RUNNING MATE
By Rach Eggert, Rach's Political Report
State Representative Marty Seifert has chosen Rhonda Sivarajah
who is Anoka County Commissioner for 7 years as running mate. Seifert is first Governor candidate to officially announce who would candidate for Lt Governor.
It was surprising because many people thought that State Rep. Joyce Peppin would be top choice for the job but she was not selected.
State Representative Marty Seifert has chosen Rhonda Sivarajah
who is Anoka County Commissioner for 7 years as running mate. Seifert is first Governor candidate to officially announce who would candidate for Lt Governor.
It was surprising because many people thought that State Rep. Joyce Peppin would be top choice for the job but she was not selected.
Sivarajah is well known for her conservative point of view altough her job as County Commissioner for Anoka County District 6 is strictly nonpartisan.
You can read more about Ms. Sivarajah at her county website and Seifert-Sivarajah campaign website.
You can read more about Ms. Sivarajah at her county website and Seifert-Sivarajah campaign website.
She is married to a police officer, have two children but her son is deaf and lives in Lino Lakes.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
GOP candidates for governor gather this week in Roseville
Source: MPR Poilnaut
Nine Republicans who are running for governor in 2010 are expected to make campaign pitches Thursday at an event in Roseville.
Republicans in House District 54A are hosting the candidates at a political picnic at Roseville's Central Park, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Organizers say nine GOP candidates for governor have confirmed that they'll attend. The list includes three state representatives: Tom Emmer, Paul Kohls and Marty Seifert. Two state senators: David Hann and Mike Jungbauer. Former state auditor Pat Anderson, as well as Leslie Davis, Bill Haas and Phil Herwig. They say state Rep. Laura Brod might also attend.
The Republican candidates are trying to build support in advance of a state GOP convention October 3rd in St. Paul. GOP delegates will select their preferences for governor at that event in a non-binding straw poll.
The state GOP party will endorse its candidate during a state convention that's scheduled April 2 - May 1, at a yet to be determined location.
Nine Republicans who are running for governor in 2010 are expected to make campaign pitches Thursday at an event in Roseville.
Republicans in House District 54A are hosting the candidates at a political picnic at Roseville's Central Park, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Organizers say nine GOP candidates for governor have confirmed that they'll attend. The list includes three state representatives: Tom Emmer, Paul Kohls and Marty Seifert. Two state senators: David Hann and Mike Jungbauer. Former state auditor Pat Anderson, as well as Leslie Davis, Bill Haas and Phil Herwig. They say state Rep. Laura Brod might also attend.
The Republican candidates are trying to build support in advance of a state GOP convention October 3rd in St. Paul. GOP delegates will select their preferences for governor at that event in a non-binding straw poll.
The state GOP party will endorse its candidate during a state convention that's scheduled April 2 - May 1, at a yet to be determined location.
Steve Sviggum reportedly out of governor's race
Pioneer Press
Updated: 08/19/2009 11:52:28 PM CDT
Former Minnesota House Speaker Steve Sviggum will not run for governor next year, according to a Twin Cities Public Television blog.
Sviggum, a Kenyon Republican and the state labor and industry commissioner, decided to scrap his planned campaign after a federal official told him, in effect, he would have to quit his state job in order to run, TPT's Capitol reporter Mary Lahammer reported Wednesday. Since Sviggum administers the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act in the state, the U.S. solicitor general ruled he is subject to the federal Hatch Act, which prohibits political activities by federal employees.
"It's a downer," Sviggum told Lahammer. "At this time I'm suspending my campaign. I'm not saying I'm ending it."
He said there's a small chance he could revive his candidacy if none of the nine announced Republican candidates catches on.
Sviggum said he had to keep his $108,400-a-year day job to pay his bills. He told Lahammer the realization he could not run for governor "left a hole in my stomach the size of Lake Mille Lacs."
— Bill Salisbury
Updated: 08/19/2009 11:52:28 PM CDT
Former Minnesota House Speaker Steve Sviggum will not run for governor next year, according to a Twin Cities Public Television blog.
Sviggum, a Kenyon Republican and the state labor and industry commissioner, decided to scrap his planned campaign after a federal official told him, in effect, he would have to quit his state job in order to run, TPT's Capitol reporter Mary Lahammer reported Wednesday. Since Sviggum administers the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act in the state, the U.S. solicitor general ruled he is subject to the federal Hatch Act, which prohibits political activities by federal employees.
"It's a downer," Sviggum told Lahammer. "At this time I'm suspending my campaign. I'm not saying I'm ending it."
He said there's a small chance he could revive his candidacy if none of the nine announced Republican candidates catches on.
Sviggum said he had to keep his $108,400-a-year day job to pay his bills. He told Lahammer the realization he could not run for governor "left a hole in my stomach the size of Lake Mille Lacs."
— Bill Salisbury
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Another DFLer wants chance to face Bachmann in 2010 race
Star Tribune
July 29, 2009
Another DFLer hopes to unseat U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann in Minnesota's Sixth Congressional District next year.
State Sen. Tarryl Clark announced Wednesday she had filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission to run for the seat.
An attorney from St. Cloud, Clark is the assistant Senate majority leader and has held her seat since 2005.
In an e-mail to supporters, Clark said she will abide by the party's endorsement next year.
Clark had been considered a possible gubernatorial candidate for 2010.
Her formal entry into the congressional contest creates a three-way race among Democrats to beat Bachmann in the north suburban district.
This week, Elwyn Tinklenberg announced his third attempt at the seat. A former mayor of Blaine, he served as state transportation commissioner under Gov. Jesse Ventura. Dr. Maureen Reed, a physician who was an Independence Party candidate for governor in 2006, is also vying for the sixth district seat.
BOB VON STERNBERG
July 29, 2009
Another DFLer hopes to unseat U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann in Minnesota's Sixth Congressional District next year.
State Sen. Tarryl Clark announced Wednesday she had filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission to run for the seat.
An attorney from St. Cloud, Clark is the assistant Senate majority leader and has held her seat since 2005.
In an e-mail to supporters, Clark said she will abide by the party's endorsement next year.
Clark had been considered a possible gubernatorial candidate for 2010.
Her formal entry into the congressional contest creates a three-way race among Democrats to beat Bachmann in the north suburban district.
This week, Elwyn Tinklenberg announced his third attempt at the seat. A former mayor of Blaine, he served as state transportation commissioner under Gov. Jesse Ventura. Dr. Maureen Reed, a physician who was an Independence Party candidate for governor in 2006, is also vying for the sixth district seat.
BOB VON STERNBERG
Friday, July 24, 2009
Pat Anderson, ex-state auditor, to run for governor
Source: Star Tribune
The former auditor, mayor and comissioner will make official announcement of her candidacy after Labor Day.
Former State Auditor Pat Anderson on Wednesday joined a growing list of candidates for governor in 2010, saying she was a "Libertarian-style Republican" who opposes corporate subsidies and represents the party's shifting priorities.
Anderson, 43, of Dellwood, also is a former Eagan mayor who served as Gov. Tim Pawlenty's employee relations commissioner and helped organize the so-called "tea party" events this spring in Minnesota, part of a protest against big government that featured nationwide rallies.
As commissioner, Anderson helped engineer the merger of her department with the state Department of Finance and administration, a move that eliminated her job.
She is president of the Minnesota Free Market Institute.
The Republican Party has changed for the better, Anderson said Wednesday.
"I think there's much less emphasis on social issues, [and] more emphasis on individual rights and fiscal issues and, you know, frankly I think that's been good for the party," she said.
Anderson said her opposition to corporate subsidies extends to Job Opportunity Building Zones, or JOBZ, a state program championed by Pawlenty that provides tax breaks to businesses to create rural jobs.
"I do not support JOBZ or any program like it," she said. "I think all you're frankly doing generally is moving companies from one side of the street to the next."
Several Republicans have entered the race or considered it, following Pawlenty's decision not to seek a third term. Anderson plans to make an official announcement of her candidacy this fall.
MIKE KASZUBA
The former auditor, mayor and comissioner will make official announcement of her candidacy after Labor Day.
Former State Auditor Pat Anderson on Wednesday joined a growing list of candidates for governor in 2010, saying she was a "Libertarian-style Republican" who opposes corporate subsidies and represents the party's shifting priorities.
Anderson, 43, of Dellwood, also is a former Eagan mayor who served as Gov. Tim Pawlenty's employee relations commissioner and helped organize the so-called "tea party" events this spring in Minnesota, part of a protest against big government that featured nationwide rallies.
As commissioner, Anderson helped engineer the merger of her department with the state Department of Finance and administration, a move that eliminated her job.
She is president of the Minnesota Free Market Institute.
The Republican Party has changed for the better, Anderson said Wednesday.
"I think there's much less emphasis on social issues, [and] more emphasis on individual rights and fiscal issues and, you know, frankly I think that's been good for the party," she said.
Anderson said her opposition to corporate subsidies extends to Job Opportunity Building Zones, or JOBZ, a state program championed by Pawlenty that provides tax breaks to businesses to create rural jobs.
"I do not support JOBZ or any program like it," she said. "I think all you're frankly doing generally is moving companies from one side of the street to the next."
Several Republicans have entered the race or considered it, following Pawlenty's decision not to seek a third term. Anderson plans to make an official announcement of her candidacy this fall.
MIKE KASZUBA
Monday, July 6, 2009
2 Minn. state senators eye 2010 governor's race
Star Tribune
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Two GOP state senators are joining an already crowded field of declared or potential candidates for governor.
Sen. Sen. David Hann of Eden Prairie says he is exploring a run and filed paperwork with state regulators on Tuesday.
Sen. Mike Jungbauer of East Bethel announced his candidacy on Wednesday.
Both are two-term state senators.
Hann says the state needs to hold down spending and cut taxes. He works as a business process consultant and served in the Vietnam war.
Jungbauer says Minnesota should prepare for big changes in the energy field. He works at an engineering company and is an ordained minister.
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Two GOP state senators are joining an already crowded field of declared or potential candidates for governor.
Sen. Sen. David Hann of Eden Prairie says he is exploring a run and filed paperwork with state regulators on Tuesday.
Sen. Mike Jungbauer of East Bethel announced his candidacy on Wednesday.
Both are two-term state senators.
Hann says the state needs to hold down spending and cut taxes. He works as a business process consultant and served in the Vietnam war.
Jungbauer says Minnesota should prepare for big changes in the energy field. He works at an engineering company and is an ordained minister.
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