Big Names Shy Away From Gov Race
Recent statewide polls of likely Republican voters showed former Senator Norm Coleman with a sizable lead over announced candidates Marty Seiffert and Tom Emmers. Coleman polled over 50% with neither Seiffert nor Emmers breaking double digits. On Martin Luther King Day (Monday January 18th) Coleman posted a statement on Facebook announcing that he would not seek the Republican Party endorsement nor would he run in a primary. While personal and family timing conerns were cited as the reasons behind his decision, pundits have speculated that, while Coleman enjoyed solid popularity with Republican voters, he may not have enjoyed the same support from party insiders.
On the Democrat side of the fence, another big name appeared to be backing away from the fray, or at least part of the fray. Former Senator Mark Dayton lead recent polls of likely Democratic voters for DFL governor candidates. However the gap was far smaller than for Coleman on the Republican side. Dayton recently polled 34% to Minneapolis Mayor RT Rybak’s 25% and House Speaker Margaret Kelliher’s 15%. Dayton recently told state DFL officials to delete his name from the non-binding preferential or straw poll that will be held at DFL precinct caucuses across the state on February 2nd. Speculation has begun as to what Dayton’s withdrawal means to the endorsement process and whether Dayton has decided to fore go the party’s endorsement but instead seek to win the nomination a primary.
So each party had something for the curious. Your thoughts?
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