Looks like "super lawyer" Mike Ciresi got tired of spending his personal fortune, and has decided to drop out of the race. This leaves Al Franken and Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer as the lone DFL (Democratic Farmer Labor) candidates.
From the StarTrib
Attorney Mike Ciresi said this afternoon that he is dropping out of the race for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination in Minnesota.
Ciresi, who unsuccessfully ran for Senate in 2000, said in a statement that "continuing the endorsement race would only lead to an unnecessary floor fight. It is time to step aside."
I'm torn here. I actually think Nelson-Pallmeyer is a better candidate than Franken. True, Franken has been polling a close race with "Smilin'" Norm Coleman, but Nelson-Pallmeyer has been fantastic in the local debates. In fact, both Al and Ciresi spend most of the time praising Nelson-Pallmeyer for his stance on the war (against it since the beginning) and have applauded a number of his policy proposals.
This race could become interesting at the state convention. Minnesota DFLers have a certain knack for surprise when it comes to party nominations (albeit many of the choices have been horrible - Skip Humphrey, Roger Moe, etc.)