GOP Backlash
Three House Republicans who voted to override Governor Pawlenty's veto of the transportation bill have lost their bids for party endorsement. Party activists in House District 41A voted to endorse Keith Downey over incumbent Ron Erhardt. Downey garnered 123 votes on the first ballot to Erhardt's 49 votes. Erhardt says he'll either run in the GOP primary or as an independent.
In 41B, GOP delegates supported challenger Jan Schneider over incumbent Neil Peterson on the first ballot. Schneider got 92 votes to Peterson's 37 votes. Peterson says he'll run in the GOP primary.
Rep. Jim Abeler fared slightly better at his endorsing convention in House District 48B. Delegates didn't back him but they didn't back anyone else (no one challenged him). Abeler was two votes short of those needed for endorsement (He received 58% of the vote - 60% is needed). Abeler says he will continue to seek reelection.
There are three other Republicans in the Minnesota House who voted to override the veto of the transportation bill.
Party activists in Kathy Tingelstad's, 49B-Andover, district have voted to postpone her endorsement. The endorsing conventions for Rod Hamilton, 22B-Mountain Lake, and Bud Heidgerken, 13A-Freeport, have not been scheduled.
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