7B DFL update: More forums and endorsements

Here is the Duluth News-Tribune account of the House District 7B (West Duluth) DFL primary, which is heating up in advance of the Sept. 9 primary.

A nonpartisan League of Women Voters forum was held yesterday. Roger Reinert, Marsh Stenersen, Dan Maryland and Brandon Clokey were there, along with the other party’s candidates. (IPer Jay Cole and GOPer Allan Kehr do not have a primary). The paper didn’t have much to say. Equally vague is this list of “bonding priorities.” Guess what, they’re all either split between sewer upgrades in Duluth or vague, wonderful stuff. John Derbis, the UMD student running in the DFL race, did not attend.

Progressive Action, a grassroots political organization dedicated to social action, endorsed Stenersen yesterday. They join retiring State Rep. Mike Jaros in backing the longtime labor and political activist. Here’s an excerpt from their release:

“I would say it was Marsh Stenersen’s unequivocally-stated position on the ‘RedPlan’ that in part won him Progressive Action’s endorsement,” the organization’s President, Barb Olsen, said. “Many members saw it as a model of how they want our state representatives to take stands on critical issues. They want clear and well-considered statements on the issues that will affect the lives of everyday people.”

In Progressive Action’s screening, Stenersen said he opposes the Red Plan because Duluth’s citizens were not allowed to vote on the issue, because it made “bad use of a law designed to help… Duluth address safety and desegregation problems,” and because it is “too extensive and too expensive.” Stenersen described his concern as well that the lack of a citizen vote on the“Red Plan” will jeopardize the passage of future operating levy referendums, resulting in teacher cuts, increased class sizes, and program cuts for Duluth’s children.

Stenersen also presented his views on such additional issues as health care,protecting Minnesota’s lakes, the proposed passenger rail service between Duluth and the Twin Cities, how to increase the Duluth job market, and why sofew women have been running for local elected office.

I’ll be running candidate profiles (I think … if the candidates respond) next week beginning Tuesday with Brandon Clokey.
In short, the two frontrunners seem to be Reinert and Stenersen. Stenersen has shown a lot of fire lately and Reinert has shown a lot of sign support in neighborhoods. Reinert also probably enjoys higher name recognition. The million dollar question is who is going to vote?

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