Filing for state offices has closed. On the Iron Range and in Duluth, all races will have Republican, DFL and, in some cases, Independence Party candidates. No free rides this year. On the other hand, I don’t see any major barriers to re-election for the majority DFL candidates in this region. The only chance for a “DFL” to “R” flip will be in District 4A, where John Persell will defend retiring Rep. Frank Moe’s seat against John Carlson (or GOP primary opponent Adam Steele, publisher of the most entertainingly bizarre weekly newspaper in northern Minnesota).
Some interesting notes:
State Rep. and House Majority Leader Tony Sertich will face a primary challenge from Marc Pocrnich. I don’t know anything about Pocrnich and his listed website doesn’t work. Someone I know says he will run to the left of Tony, but he was guessing. In any event, I see little chance of him being competitive. Candidates who start their campaign by filing usually aren’t prepared for the work involved in actually unseating a popular incumbent. I’ll see what I can find out about him and would entertain any information readers have.
I’d contend that the most interesting primary in the state is in West Duluth’s House District 7B, where Roger Reinert, Marsh Stenersen, John Derbis, Dan Maryland and Brandon Clokey will face off in a DFL primary. All of those candidates but Maryland have contacted me with background information. Reinert has gone to the length of scheduling a campaign “kickoff” event today at 11:30 at his 5615 Grand Avenue headquarters in Duluth. (I’m happy to pass along other candidates’ campaign event information when I receive it). Reinert has shown the most organization so far, while he and Stenersen have shown the broadest constituencies. Derbis, Maryland and Clokey are looking to catch up. Anything is possible. The winner will face Republican Allan Kehr and IP candidate Jay Cole in the November general election.
There are no other DFL primaries in the region, but there is the aforementioned Republican primary in 4A (John Carlson vs. Adam Steele) and the Independence Party primary in 3A (Chris Pfeifer vs. Bill Hamm).
Speak Your Mind