Political Party

Coleman tops GOP gov candidates in new poll

 

Even though he has not announced plans to run, former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman topped other GOP candidates running for governor in a new poll. A Rasmussen Reports poll founds that Coleman would get 50 percent support from likely Republican voters in the state.

That gives Coleman a sizable lead over the other contenders. State Rep. Marty Seifert, who stepped down as House Minority Leader to run for governor, comes in second with 11 percent support. State Rep. Laura Brod, who has not ruled out running for governor, received 5 percent of the vote. State Rep. Tom Emmer got 1 percent. Republican voters backing other candidates amounted to 7 percent.

One of the most interesting numbers in the poll is that 26 percent of GOP voters are undecided. That could leave the door open for a new candidate -— especially if Coleman opts not to run. It begs the question whether Commissioner of Labor and Industry Steve Sviggum might toss his hat in the ring. The former House Speaker found out that federal law prohibited him from running for office while keeping his day job. But he left open the possibility of stepping down and running for office closer to the election.

Among DFL candidates, former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak tied for the top spot, each netting 30 percent of the vote from likely Democratic voters. House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher got 8 percent and former state House Minority Leader Matt Entenza received 6 percent. Another 5 percent prefer a different candidate and 20 percent are undecided.

Here is a link to the poll results.

Local Republican leaders line up behind Seifert

Today, Rep. Marty Seifert of Marshall unveiled a list of his backers from southeast Minnesota in his quest for the governor's mansion. The individuals are part of Seifert's "Southeast Minnesota Leadership Team."

Among the Rochester big hitters on the list are: Republican Party of Olmsted County Co-Chair Bruce Kaskubar, former Rep. Fran Bradley, former Rep. Carla Nelson, former state Senate candidate Dr. Scott Wright and 1st Congressional District Republicans Vice-Chair Duane Quam.

Seifert made the announcement during a live chat on his Web site. Here is the complete list of 23 supporters.

*Chuck Bradford – Mantorville, Chairman Dodge County Republicans, Deputy Chair 1st Congressional District Republicans
*Fran Bradley – Rochester, former State Representative
*Mike Falk- Albert Lea, Activist, Youth for McCain State Co-Chair 2008
*Katie Gottwalt – Mankato, Vice Chair Minnesota State-Mankato College Republicans
*Jerry Groebner – Madison Lake, Chairman Blue Earth County Republicans
*Bruce Kaskubar, Rochester, Chairman Olmsted County Republicans
*Bob Kierlin, Winona, Former State Senator, Founder of Fastenal
*Tom Kuntz – Owatonna, Mayor
*Mary Myers – Mankato, Republican National Alternate ’80, ’84, Local Reagan Chair
*Carla Nelson – Rochester, former State Representative
*Jerry Pappenfuss- Winona, business owner, past MN Broadcasters assoc. President
*Sean Paskach – Mankato, executive director Minnesota State-Mankato College Republicans
*Andru Peters- Lake City, Goodhue County BPOU state delegate
*Mark Piepho – Mankato, former State Representative and State Senator
*Robert F. Pierret – Mankato, longtime activist
*Aaron Pilcher- Waseca, Waseca County Activist
*Duane Quam – Byron, former Chair 1st Congressional District Republicans
*Dustin Quimby – Albert Lea, former Treasurer 1st Congressional District Republicans
*Lewis Reiman – Utica, former candidate State House
*Michelle Rifenberg- La Crescent, former State Representative, Former Deputy Chair Minnesota Republican Party
*Connie Ruth – Owatonna, former State Representative
*Howard Swenson – Nicollet, former State Representative
*Dr. Scott Wright – Rochester, former State Senate candidate
 

Food on a stick and politics

Once again it is time for the Great Minnesota Get-Together. And while the latest new foods on a stick usually grab the limelight, it is worth noting that the fair is also a key political event. Gubernatorial candidates are swarming to the event for the chance to schmooze fair goers and build key support.

The Minnesota DFL has posted a list showing when gubernatorial candidates will be at the party's booth. You can check that out here. In the case of the Republican Party of Minnesota, it looks like it will be more of a hit-and-miss scenario for people looking to chat with a particular gubernatorial candidate. The party's spokesman Mark Drake said GOP gubernatorial candidates will be at the booth but there is not a set schedule as to when they will be there.

However, former House Minority Leader Marty Seifert has already tweeted that he is the only gubernatorial candidate with his own booth.

In addition, state lawmakers can be found at both the House and Senate booths. Click here to Download Memsched09 and here to 

Download Senators_attending

Not many southeast Minnesota lawmakers appear to be making the trek. House Assistant Majority Leader Andy Welti, DFL-Plainview, was at the fair today. House Assistant Minority Leader Randy Demmer, R-Hayfield, will be there from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 2 and Rep. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, is scheduled to be there from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 6.

Seifert in Roch to announce run for gov

Former House Minority Leader Marty Seifert of Marshal will be in Rochester this afternoon as part of a 14-city tour to announce his candidacy for governor.

The Republican will be in Rochester at 3:45 p.m. at the Olmsted County Government Center at 151 4th St. S.E. He kicked off his announcement tour this morning at 8:45 a.m. in Fridley, Minn. at a business called Micro Control.

Here's a brief story on the Star Tribune Web site about Seifert's announcement this morning. It's interesting to note that Rochester is his third stop in his statewide tour and among the list of cities he is visiting on the first day. Perhaps that indicates Seifert will be heavily courting Olmsted County Republicans.

You can check out Seifert's Web site here.