Kelliher begins primary campaign
DFL officials say their party is now united behind Margaret Anderson Kelliher and her run for governor.
Party officials helped Kelliher kick off a statewide campaign swing today in Bloomington. U.S. Sen. Al Franken and three members of congress (Ellison, McCollum and Walz) were on hand to show their support. So were three of the candidates that Kelliher beat out for the DFL endorsement, R.T. Rybak, Paul Thissen and John Marty. Kelliher said those previous opponents will be with her moving forward.
"It is a team of rivals approach that we are going to take in leading the state of Minnesota," Kelliher said. "Taking the good ideas and taking the energy across the state and building on that statewide organization and the people power of our campaigns together, coming together."
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U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar couldn't attend, but she sent a letter that DFL Chair Brian Melendez read at the event.
"My long-time friend Margaret Anderson Kelliher will make an excellent governor," Klobuchar wrote. "Margaret and I have worked together for years. She knows how to get things done in St. Paul and she understands what makes Minnesota work. She knows the people of our state and has shown time and time again that she will stand up for them and never back down."
Kelliher will face former U.S. Senator Mark Dayton, former state representative Matt Entenza and Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner in the August 10th DFL primary.