Marty drops out; Kelliher still ahead
Second ballot results:
Margaret Anderson Kelliher -27.8 percent
R.T. Rybak - 24.5 percent support
Paul Thissen - 17.6 percent
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Tom Rukavina 17.6 percent
John Marty - 10 percent support.
Marty's showing led him to drop out of the race.
"This isn't the speech I wanted to make," he told the delegates.
Before the results were released, Kelliher was busy courting delegates in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District.
"If we start moving in the right direction, can I count on you then?" Kelliher asked Ken Wilson.
"Sure," Wilson said.
"I'm in in it for the whole night," she said.
Wilson said he voted for Paul Thissen but said he wants to see which candidates appear to have momentum.
While Kelliher was busy courting delegates in the 1st and 7th Districts, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak was working the 3rd Congressional District. His wife and mom were also encouraging supporters and uncommitted delegates to vote for Rybak.
Rybak and Thissen also met privately with members of the Hmong Caucus with the hopes that the group will throw its full support behind one of them.
Tom Rukavina, DFL-Virginia, moved quickly from table to table looking for support. He declined to answer reporters questions, saying his was only talking to delegates right now. Rukvania approached delegates dressed in Kelliher, Rybak and Thissen t-shirts. As many delegates praised his convention speech, Rukavina repeatedly said that he needs their help in the endorsement battle.