Precinct caucuses are looming on the horizon, and DFLers in northern Minnesota are eager to hear from the candidates vying to challenge Tea Party Representative Chip Cravaack (MN/NH). With that in mind, the 8th Congressional District DFL Executive Committee invited the DFL candidates for Congress to speak to them at their meeting on Saturday. Former St. Cloud State Senator Tarryl Clark once again missed the meeting, citing snowy roads. Her campaign manager, Brandon Pinette, spoke in her absence, fielding questions regarding Clark's position on the endorsement and her residency in the 8th District. Unfortunately, we didn't get clear answers to any of our questions.
The first question posed to Pinette was why Clark won't abide by the endorsement in this race when she has in her previous campaigns. Pinette insisted that was not true and that Clark "hasn't said yes or no". He stated she is undecided and awaiting the results of redistricting before making the decision as to whether or not to abide by the endorsement. We received no explanation beyond a curt and dismissive "that's just what she wanted to do...that's her position, I'm not going to argue with you" as to why the district lines mattered in deciding to respect the endorsement of the 8th district DFL.
The record shows that Clark did in fact publicly state she is not going to abide by the endorsement (St Cloud Times, 19 October) and many party activists report hearing the same from her. Furthermore, from all appearances she is running a primary campaign, rarely showing up at DFL functions. In fact, she recently skipped both the candidate's forum and the 8th congressional district annual dinner, the party's major fundraising event of the year.
The issue of Clark's residency was clearly paramount on the minds of the DFLers, with direct questions asked of Pinette. He stated that "Tarryl and her husband" do in fact live in a Duluth condo they bought "several months" ago. Startlingly, Pinette accused those who have questioned her residency of not being truthful, flatly stating "It's a lie. I've been there (Tarryl's Duluth condo) myself." When asked if Clark is still registered to vote in St Cloud, Pinette appeared less prepared, shifting from foot to foot, finally looking at the floor saying "I'm not going to comment on that, I really don't know about that."
Voter records obtained from St Louis County in October revealed that Clark registered to vote in St Cloud W4 P7 in 1994 and that registration is still active. The last time she voted was in the general election in November 2010. Tarryl is not registered to vote in Duluth and failed to vote in the very same September primary she encouraged others to vote in via facebook.
The record simply does not support Pinette's claim that Clark owns a condo in Duluth. As of 31 October 2011, a search of St Louis County property records showed no record of either Clark or her husband owning or paying taxes on any property in the county. A search of the auditor's internal records also yielded no results. In addition, an abstract and torrens search by the county recorder found no record of a purchase by either Tarryl or Doug Clark. According to the tax department, even the purchase of a foreclosure should show up in county records. Stearns County records do verify that they have maintained their residence in St Cloud.
The DFLers appeared to view Pinette's responses with skepticism, with many shaking their heads and exchanging looks. In order to believe Pinette, one must also believe all of the following:
1. The St Cloud Times was lying when it reported that Clark stated she would not abide by the endorsement.
2. Many long-time DFL party activists are lying when they say Clark told them she was not abiding by the endorsement
3. That the boundaries of a district are relevant to one's belief in the party endorsement process.
4. That St Louis County property records (from both the auditor and the recorder) are incorrect, and
5. That campaign manager Brandon Pinette is completely unaware that his candidate is still registered to vote in St Cloud despite voter records available to the public.
Clearly, the record does not support Pinette's version of events as reported to the 8th Congressional District DFL, nor are his answers believable to a reasonable and prudent person.
Unfortunately, Pinette has chosen to characterize those citing the record as "lying"; therefore, it is now incumbent on the Clark campaign to show the record is incorrect. And it would seem to be to their benefit. It is obvious that Clark's residency is a major concern among DFLers in the 8th district and providing documentation of her ownership of a condo in Duluth would quickly put the issue to rest.
Such a simple solution to a serious problem - why haven't they already done so?
Disclosure: I am a member of the 8th Congressional District DFL Executive Committee