A few observations:
- There were mildly surprising developments, particularly in the First Congressional District where endorsed candidate (and winner of the special election GOP primary in pre-redistricting CD1) Brad Finstad is receiving a challenge from fellow Republicans Jeremey Munson and Matt Benda. Both gentlemen were defeated by Finstad in the May 24 special primary, with Munson losing by just over 1%. Munson's concession the morning after the special primary seemed to suggest he was moving on from politics. Obviously not.
- Local journalist Michael Brodkorb conveyed last week that the kooky Michelle MacDonald (who has failed multiple times to be elected to the Minnesota Supreme Court) would file to challenge endorsed GOP candidate for Secretary of State Kim Crockett. Thankfully that didn't happen. Truth be told, I was kinda hoping Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer, who is not seeking reelection in the MN Senate, would vie for her old job. Alas, she is not.
- Failed 2018 MNGOP candidate for Attorney General Doug Wardlow was true to his word in essentially saying he was going back on his initial word of abiding by the MNGOP endorsement: He filed to challenge endorsed candidate Jim Schultz in the AG race. I've said many times before that this is the best opportunity for the MNGOP to finally win its first statewide race since 2006, but Wardlow's pettiness may serve to undermine that.
- When Dr. Scott Jensen received the MNGOP endorsement for governor a few weeks ago, all candidates at the party's state convention vowed to abide. The only mystery remaining is whether former Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek (a no-show at the convention) would opt to challenge Jensen. About five hours before the filing deadline, Stanek announced he would not run for governor after all. While two other Republicans are challenging Jensen, they're little more than the proverbial speedbump in his path to the GOP nomination.
- But perhaps the biggest news story regarding the gubernatorial race was Forward party candidate Cory Hepola deciding not to file his candidacy.
No go for @CoryHepola in #mngov
— Blois Olson (@bloisolson) May 31, 2022
Wow. pic.twitter.com/4xe234yxQ2
This is definitely good news for the DFL as they were very concerned Hepola would siphon off votes from Gov. Tim Walz, thus possibly enabling the GOP candidate for governor to prevail. This isn't to say Walz is a shoo-in for reelection, but this definitely makes the path easier.
UPDATE: Benda has withdrawn his candidacy in CD1.
----------------------------------------------New: Matt Benda says in a news release he's withdrawing from the First District August GOP primary after filing earlier this week. Benda: "There were unprecedented federal election commission details that needed to be resolved prior to me formally withdrawing from this race." pic.twitter.com/kMcpPxHxu0
— Hunter Woodall (@HunterMw) June 2, 2022
No comments:
Post a Comment