The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

November 2, 2009

Candidates off and running

By Mark Fischenich

mfischenich@mankatofreepress.com

MANKATO — It’s the off-year election today (Nov. 3), and the next general election is now less than a year away.

On Nov. 2, 2010, all seats in the Minnesota Legislature will be up for grabs, all the constitutional offices — including governor — will be on the ballot, and Minnesota’s eight congressional seats will be decided.

The key dates other than Nov. 2 are Feb. 2 and Sept. 14.

Feb. 2 is a big one for candidates seeking party endorsement. That’s when precinct caucuses will be held and delegates will be elected who will ultimately decide which candidates will become the party’s choice at later endorsing conventions.

Sept. 14 is the tentative date of the primary election, although there may be some effort during the upcoming legislative session to move the primary election to an earlier date — partly to make it easier for soldiers serving overseas to get their general election ballot sooner.

Gov candidates coming

Candidates are already buzzing around the state, particularly in the race for governor. Pat Anderson, the former state auditor, was in Mankato Monday as part of her official announcement that she’s seeking the Republican Party nomination to replace Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who isn’t seeking a third term.

Anderson and three other GOP candidates will be back in Mankato next week for a gubernatorial forum sponsored by the Minnesota State University College Republicans.

State Rep. Marty Seifert of Marshall, state Rep. Tom Emmer of Delano and state Sen. David Hann of Eden Prairie are expected at the event, which will begin at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12 at Centennial Student Union Room 253.

Quist’s Web site up

After seeing Rochester and other parts of southeastern Minnesota supply the bulk of the congressional candidates in the 1st District in recent years, south-central Minnesota might be becoming more of a candidate factory. Along with producing Congressman Tim Walz, a Mankato Democrat, the region is supplying a pair of names that are being thrown out as potential Walz challengers.

State Sen. Julie Rosen, R-Fairmont, has been rumored to be interested. And Allen Quist of rural St. Peter hasn’t been willing to verify that he’s running against Walz, but people can find a subtle hint on the Web that he might be interested. Just check allenquistforcongress.com to see what we mean.

The former Bethany Lutheran College instructor, state representative and Republican-endorsed candidate for governor is providing some essays on the site spelling out his concerns about the direction of the country.

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