Range Wars in tomorrow’s DFL county unit conventions

County unit conventions are taking place all over Minnesota in the DFL and Republican parties. The only matter of statewide significance is who the Democrats will endorse in the U.S. Senate race to oppose Norm Coleman, Al Franken or Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer. Both have agreed to abide by the party’s endorsement. One of the most important regions in that statewide race is on my native Iron Range, where a treasure-trove of DFL delegates will be allocated tomorrow at the Senate District 5 and Itasca County DFL conventions, respectively. Though the actual human population of these units is far lower than many metro-area units, SD 05 carries something like 26 delegates (It might have changed from when I lived over on that side) and Itasca, my current home unit, carries 12 because of the Iron Range’s reliable, almost unbelievable DFL voting record. (We’re talking 65 percent DFL in a bad year, 85 percent in a good year).

I am the DFL Precinct Chair in Balsam Township and will be a county delegate at tomorrow Itasca DFL convention in Nashwauk. I was a former board of directors member in SD05 back when I lived in Hibbing. I will make this prediction. If Al Franken does well in tomorrow’s conventions, we’re looking at a first ballot endorsement. Itasca County has a huge Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer following because of the strength of the Progressive Caucus there. I expect my convention to split roughly down the middle. But if Franken pulls out a majority at SD05 in nearby Hibbing, with its delegate count exceeding that of three suburban cities, I see no way that Nelson-Pallmeyer breaks the requisite 40 percent at the state convention to forestall a first ballot Franken endorsement. Mike Ciresi was going to get a dozen delegates in SD05 and maybe one or two out of Itasca. He’s out now. His folks will determine how tomorrow’s results turns out. Franken has held such an advantage in pledged delegates so far that Nelson-Pallmeyer needs to carry huge numbers.

I’ll report in tomorrow evening with news of the Itasca and SD05 conventions. Franken and Nelson-Pallmeyer will both be there, shuttling between the working class Range towns of Nashwauk and Hibbing. It may come down to who’s blue work shirt looks less new. (Less new being preferable).