St. Louis County Commissioner Chris Dahlberg of Duluth made a surprise announcement yesterday, throwing his hat in the ring for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate. He becomes the fourth Republican to announce a challenge to U.S. Sen Al Franken (D-MN) after State Rep. Jim Abler, State Sen. Julianne Ortman and businessman Mike McFadden. Dahlberg is the only candidate from north of the Twin Cities.
Dahlberg has voted with the more conservative bloc of St. Louis County commissioners, but it’s a very Democratic county and as a result his record appears more centrist than the other GOP candidates. His early comments seem to embrace a more centrist image. This could serve him well if he survives the endorsement and primary battles to face Franken, but his late entry and unknown status would make that task his biggest challenge.
While Dahlberg might be new to statewide politics, he also announced the support of Stanley Hubbard of Hubbard Broadcasting, a deep-pocked conservative donor who has backed a number of conservative candidates and issues over the years. Hubbard owns the ABC affiliates in the Duluth and Twin Cities markets.
Dahlberg is an attorney in the Duluth area. He plans to begin campaigning in earnest after Oct. 1, when he retires from 25 years of U.S. Army Reserve service.
The Star Tribune and others have the story.
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