Daniel Fanning, a U.S. Army Iraq war vet and former staffer for Sen. Al Franken, will announce his campaign for Minnesota’s 8th District DFL nomination on Sunday in Duluth. Fanning, who lives in Duluth, recently resigned as northern Minnesota field coordinator for Sen. Franken to focus on what has been a long exploration into running for the seat currently held by freshman U.S. Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN8).
Fanning joins previously announced candidates Jeff Anderson, Tarryl Clark and Rick Nolan. His entrance may not be a surprise, but neither is it certain how he will affect the dynamic.
Fanning’s veteran credentials, interesting narrative and outsider status make him the true dark horse in the DFL race. I think he draws support evenly from the three current candidates, and I’m not sure where that puts him, or them. An upcoming DFL forum at an 8th District DFL dinner on Oct. 15 in Hibbing will be an early test of skill and support for all the candidates.
Fanning will hold a campaign kickoff rally at noon Sunday in the Kirby Lounge at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
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