Seifert is top GOP pick for governor in straw poll (Mn Governor)

Minneapolis StarTribune (aka The Red Star) ^ | 10/03/09 | Rachel Stassen-Berger - Staff Reporter

[MplsSteve]

Minnesota Republicans were told Saturday that they are members of a brand-new party and that Rep. Marty Seifert is their early favorite to be the state's brand-new governor.

Seifert, of Marshall, who came into the race as a front-runner and has one of the most active campaigns, won 37 percent of the first-choice votes in a non-binding straw poll. Rep. Tom Emmer of Delano came in second, former state auditor Pat Anderson third and Sen. David Hann of Eden Prairie a close fourth.

The poll won't bind delegates in next year's endorsement fight, but it gave winners bragging rights and losers something to work on.

Several of the candidates who landed at the bottom said a low vote tally wouldn't sway them to leave the race. But it will make front-runners' lives a little easier.

[MplsSteve]

I'm not a delegate but I was planning on making it over to St Paul today to watch the convention. Due to many errands and outright sloth, I didn't.

Normally, off-year conventions are snoozers but this appeared to attract a lot of attention due to the straw poll for Governor.

Were any Minnesota Freepers there? Opinions? Comments? Snarky retorts?

Let's hear it.

[MplsSteve]

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[johnthebaptistmoore]

Who’s the most conservative choice on the GOP side for the Minnesota Governor's race?

[jcmfreedom]

ping

[MplsSteve]

Probably state Rep Tom Emmer of Delano. Or even state Rep Paul Kohls of Victoria.

But truth be told, all of the candidates are pretty conservative. There are really no moderate Republicans running.

[MrsPatriot]

I like Seifert, Emmer and Jungbauer; they are all rock solid conservatives. Marty Seifert did yeoman’s work as minority leader.

[Dead Corpse]

I still like Tom Emmer...