The Star Tribune is
reporting that Elwyn Tinklenbert (I'm not making this name up) has announced he is seeking the DFL (Democratic) nomination to run in Mark Kennedy's empty seat in 2006.
He's running for DFL endorsement in the Sixth Congressional District just north of the Twin Cities, but Elwyn Tinklenberg, a former transportation commissioner under Independence Party Gov. Jesse Ventura, did not once use the word DFL or Democrat in his campaign kickoff speech Tuesday.
Not sure what to say about this guy. He probably helped get light rail in Minneapolis, but I can't say that I agree with his platform. More below.
I don't know what to say when the Star Tribune says this
Only after his speech did Tinklenberg say that he intended to seek DFL Party endorsement, affirming that he was "proud to be part of the DFL tradition." And despite his soft sell of the party label, Tinklenberg has emerged as the most active and strongest DFLer in the field against a posse of Republicans.
about his platform
[...]"pro-life" and pro-gun (he supports the handgun permit law that recently passed the Legislature) and said he supports a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage.
"It's a conservative district; I represent those values," Tinklenberg said. DFL state party chair Brian Melendez acknowledged that Tinklenberg is at odds with the party platform on some big issues[...]
If Patty Wetterling had run again, I'm not sure we'd have to settle for this guy. There is a large Republican field that is running and, given the nature of the Party, hopefully a very brutal primary. Republican candidates include:
former Education Commissioner Cheri Pierson Yecke, St. Cloud businessman Jay Esmay, state Sen. Michele Bachmann, and state Reps. Phil Krinkie and Jim Knoblach.
So, is this good news, bad news, or mixed news for Democratic hopes at picking up a seat?