Kelley to abide by DFL endorsement
Former DFL state Sen. Steve Kelley announced to reporters today that he will abide by the DFL endorsement for governor. The news comes just hours after Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner announced that she will not abide by the DFL endorsement and will run in a primary.
Kelley had said he would not rule out a primary run but his campaign manager supplied me with a letter that he gave to DFL State Central Committee members last month. Here's the letter:
Dear State Central Committee Member,
This week's economic forecast serves as an urgent reminder that we cannot afford to take November's election lightly. Our communities cannot afford 4 more years of political gimmicks; we're already strained by cutbacks. Our children cannot afford 4 more years of slashing school funding; they are already crammed into overcrowded classrooms. Our seniors cannot afford 4 more years of closing nursing homes; their care has already been reduced.
We must take back the governor's office in 2010!
That's why, after considerable thought, I am committed to abiding by the DFL endorsement in 2010. No one in this race has taken the party endorsement more seriously than me. No one else in this race has actually stepped aside for a DFL endorsed candidate in the past.
We can and must unite the DFL to take on our real opponents - the Republicans.
I am the candidate who is best positioned to take back the governor's office in 2010, which is why I am confident that I can earn the DFL endorsement. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, but expecting a different result. The DFL has employed the same electoral strategy since 1994 - running a candidate who appeals to the core cities, rural Minnesotans, and the Iron Range while leaving out suburban and independent voters - and lost. It's time for the DFL to remember November when choosing their candidate for endorsement.
Amy Klobuchar and Barack Obama have demonstrated a successful Democratic strategy to win. The DFL must choose a candidate that can compete everywhere in Minnesota. Forty percent of Minnesotans, 2.2 million people, live in the suburbs. When Democrats win the suburbs, they win elections. Klobuchar and Obama won 6 of 7 counties in the Twin Cities metro and earned over fifty percent of Minnesota's votes. Unfortunately, in 2006, Tim Pawlenty won 5 of 7 suburban counties and was re-elected to 4 more harmful years as Governor of Minnesota.
Should we settle for forty percent in the Governor's race? Should we let the Independence Party steal another election from the DFL? No! That's why I am asking for your support in the 2010 Governor's race.
I will run a campaign that wins in November. I've done it before. In 1992, I took back my legislative seat after a decade long Republican hold even though 20% of the voters in my district voted for Ross Perot in that election. I've won tough votes from moderate (and not-so-moderate) Republicans in Minnetonka and Interlachen Park while maintaining an over 90% labor voting record and my progressive values.
With your help, I know we can take back the Governor's office and transform Minnesota into a better home for our children and grandchildren. Let's make 2010 the year we win the governor's office with a mandate from Minnesotans!
Thank you for your diligent work on behalf of the DFL,
Steve
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.