MN-Gov: Emmer Clinches GOP Nomination

The GOP endorsing convention seemed to wrap things up pretty quickly: state Rep. Tom Emmer will be their gubernatorial nominee.

To chants of "Marty! Marty!", Rep. Marty Seifert bows out of the Republican gubernatorial race, and endorsed Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Delano, for the party's gubernatorial endorsement.

"Put your Emmer stickers on!" Seifert told the roaring crowd.

After Emmer had gotten to 56% on the second ballot (60% was needed to endorse), apparently that was enough for Seifert to pull the plug, in the face of Emmer's last-minute momentum. Emmer, considerably more conservative than the moderate Republicans who are usually the only type who can win statewide, can expect a tough go of it in the general -- especially if Independence Party candidate Tom Horner soaks up a big share of moderate votes. (Seifert would have faced the same problem, but Emmer, who just got a Sarah Palin endorsement, seems especially out-of-whack with his state's preferences.)

http://www.swingstateproject.com/diary/6817/mngov-emmer-clinches-gop-nomination

the problem is, he may stand a chance with the Independence Party in the race. The last 3 governor's races in Minnesota (Ventura, Pawlenty x 2) have been won with a plurality, not a majority. Ventura was elected with only 35% of the vote and the best Pawlenty did was 45%.

Unfortunately, the DFL had 3 candidates running in the primary so that means the Democrats will spend the next 3-1/2 months running against each other.

The late local news just had a clip of Emmer ranting about "taking Minnesota back". The anchor looked at the reporter doing the story and asked "Take it back from who?" - to which the reporter replied "Good question, the Republicans have controlled the governor's seat for the last 8 years."

by nominating Emmer rather than Seifert. He'll be a lot easier to run against since he appeals to a much smaller portion of the electorate.

I may tune in again.

Amelia Santaniello said it to Pat Kessler.