MN-08: Rick Nolan Early Leader In DFL Endorsement Race

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Friday November 11, 2011 · 12:04 PM PST

2011/11/11 · 12:04

8th District Congressman Chip Cravaack (MN/NH) has done such a great job representing the Tea Party that he has four democrats vying to challenge him in 2012, each garnering valuable early endorsements. DFLers are determined to re-take the congressional seat previously held by Chisholm natives John Blatnik and Jim Oberstar. Electability is the number one issue to party activists, followed by who best understands the 8th district, who we can trust to act in our best interests, and who best exemplifies progressive values. The current record of endorsements and poll results shows that former 6th District Congressman Rick Nolan is the early favorite of DFL party leaders and activists who will be making the endorsement at the 8th congressional district convention.

This is how the race stacks up heading into the holiday season:

Duluth City Councilor Jeff Anderson, a native of the Vermilion Range, has received the endorsement of Duluth Firefighters Local 101. He has also been endorsed by State Senator Roger Reinert of Duluth, State Representative Carly Melin of Hibbing, former State Senator Jerry Janezich of Chisholm, former State Senator Ron Dicklich of Pengilly, lobbyist Gary Cerkvenik and wife Kim Stokes of Britt, Ely Mayor Roger Skraba, Two Harbors Mayor Randy Bolen and Cloquet Mayor Bruce Ahlgren.

Former St Cloud State Senator Tarryl Clark has announced endorsements from two groups. As expected, she received the endorsement of United Steelworkers District 11 earlier this week. Clark has strong ties to the union through her employer, the Blue-Green Alliance, which is comprised of unions and environmental groups such as the USW and the Sierra Club. In fact, BGA executive director Dave Foster is the former president of District 11 and current President Bob Bratulich was vice-president under Foster. Clark has also been endorsed by Women Winning.

Former Franken staffer Daniel Fanning has received the endorsements of Chisholm Mayor Mike Jugovich, Buhl Mayor Craig Pulford, Virginia City Councilor Nevada Littlewolf, Quamba Mayor Tom Ladwig Jr., and Minneapolis City Councilor Gary Schiff.

Former 6th District Congressman Rick Nolan, a native of the Cuyuna Range, has received unusual early personal endorsements from key labor leaders, including Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body President Dan O'Neill, Carlton County Labor Body President Mike Kuitu, Iron Range Labor Assembly President Tom Cvar, Duluth Central Labor Body Vice President Al Netland and former Duluth Central Labor Body President George Sundstrom. Other DFL and community leaders who have endorsed Nolan include Assistant House Minority Leader John Percell of Bemidji, former State Representative Tim Faust of Hinckley, Bemidji native State Representative Ryan Winkler, former State Senator Becky Lourey of Kerrick, State Representative John Ward of Brainerd, former State Representative Kris Hasskamp of Crosby, former President of the Minnesota Senate Don Samuelson of Brainerd, State Representative Kerry Gauthier of Duluth, Iron Range delegation chair State Representative Tom Anzelc of Balsam Township, former State Senator George Perpich of Chisholm, former Eveleth Mayor and State Representative Joe Begich, former Duluth Planned Parenthood director Tina Welch, Erik Peterson of Wellstone Action and Iron Range legend Veda Ponikvar, founder of the Chisholm Free Press.

Nolan, the only candidate who has agreed to abide by the DFL endorsement, handily won a straw poll conducted at the 8th District DFL Central Committee meeting in October.

Additionally, after two days of open voting, Nolan has a commanding lead (as of 9:54 pm Thursday) in the MPR poll done in conjunction with the on-line candidate forum. It's worth noting that Clark sent out an e-blast asking her supporters to vote. The other campaigns did not.

Poll: Which candidate do you support?
Jeff Anderson (30%)
Tarryl Clark (3%)
Chip Cravaack (0%)
Daniel Fanning (16%)
Rick Nolan (50%)
undecided (0%)
by Catharine Richert, MPR News edited by Michael Olson, MPR News November 8 at 12:29 PM

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In summary, the record shows the majority of past and present DFL elected officials and leaders have lined up behind Nolan, Anderson has some endorsements, Fanning has a few endorsements, and Clark has yet to announce a single endorsement from any past or present DFL elected official in the 8th congressional district.

Disclosure: I am a member of the 8th Congressional District DFL Central Committee and an associate member of the United Steelworkers Union.

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