Early bird candidates first in line to file
Candidates for political offices on this fall's ballot were lined up before dawn today outside the Secretary of State's office. Well a candidate was anyway. Rep. Joyce Peppin, R-Rogers, actually brought a chaise lounge down to the State Office Building hallway to spend the night and make sure she was the first among equals this morning.
"This is the fifth time I've been first in line. Every time I've run," she said. "I want to show my constituents that I'm still enthused to run, energetic to start the campaign, and that it's an honor and privilege to represent them."
She was joined, as you can see above, by state Sen. Mike Parry, R-Waseca, who's running against rival Republican Allen Quist for the nomination to face DFL U.S. Rep. Tim Walz this fall.
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"It's time for us to be serious down in that part of the state about our representative. We know Washington's broken and I plan on being there next year to help fix it," said Parry. "It's good to get started early in the morning."
Former Democratic Congressman Rick Nolan was the third in line. The DFL endorsed candidate to take on freshman GOP U.S. Rep Chip Cravaack came down from the Brainerd area to submit his paperwork. It's his second shot at Capitol Hill. He was a member of Congress from what used to be Minnesota's 6th District.
"This is one of the most highly contested races in the country," Nolan said. "It's in the top 10 group for both the Republicans and the Democrats, and I believe in getting an early start and running hard and running fast. And so I decided I wanted to be here first thing this morning, get myself registered and get our race underway."
Nolan is facing a primary challenge from two Democrats--former state Sen. Tarryl Clark and Jeff Anderson.
Frequent candidate Dick Franson also made an appearance. He's planning to run for U.S. Senate -- his eighth shot at the office.