I already posted on this in my analysis, but I want expand on it a bit. Here are what I consider to be the possible candidates for the 3rd on the DFL side:
- State Senator Terri Bonoff. Senator Bonoff was an instant celebrity when she took SD43 as a Democrat and has since honed a strong, moderate voting record in the Senate.
- State Rep. Melissa Hortmann. Often described as one of the DFL’s up-and-comers, Rep. Hortman first gained notoriety for turing 47B blue and has since risen quickly in the House ranks to become an assistant majority leader in only her second term.
- Buck Humphrey. Everyone is always quick to point out that I’m forgetting about Buck and, sure enough, that happened today. Sources say that Mr. Humphrey is going to get in this thing, so we’ll see.
- Former candidate for Hennepin County Attorney, Andy Lugar. There were rumblings around the time that rumors of David Gaither’s entrance into this race were circulating that Mr. Lugar might enter the race in the 3rd. If there were any truth to those rumors, I would imagine that Mr. Lugar would be very tempted were Ramstad to retire.
- Former CongressmanBill Luther. I haven’t heard much on this front but Congressman Luther has to be a factor here. He lives in the 3rd, he’s possibly the most potent fundraiser in the DFL, he was a widely admired Congressman in an area that overlaps with the modern 3rd CD, he has extensive experience representing moderate districts, he’s good friends with Jim Ramstad (he spoke at Luther’s wife’s funeral), and he clearly has the seniority. If Congressman Luther got in, it would be a game-changer.
Other possible names popping to mind are Wendy Wilde, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, and Rep. Maria Rudd. But I have to say that Wendy Wilde shouldn’t get in (sorry, it’s true), Mike Freeman I’m not sure wants to get in (he really loves his HCA post), and Maria Rudd I have yet to hear anything about. But, then again, I’m frequently wrong! Many people have also mentioned Steve Kelley but I’m pretty sure he lives in the 5th (can I get a confirm on that).
I said it before and I’ll say it again, this is a killer list. Bill Luther would likely be a game-changer, but everyone else could get in without deterring the others. Another possible game-changer would be EMILY’s List. If only one female, pro-choice candidate jumps in EMILY’s list will give her money and that would be significant.
Also, it was accurately said to me just minutes ago “poor Bob Olson.” It’s almost comical; he lives in the 3rd but there’s no open seat in the 3rd, so he runs for Senate; that doesn’t work, so he moves to the 6th; he runs in the 6th only to have heavy-weight El Tinklenberg jump back in; and then, just as the final insult, Jim Ramstad resigns… wow.
And, just for fun, here’s a poll. I’ve only included the people on my “possible candidate” list for the reasons hinted at above; so feel free to get upset about an obvious omission, but the poll gets less interesting as the options become more numerous:
Stay tuned for more coverage and take a look at what we’ve got so far:
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Bill Luther is the best choice. He has seniority in Congress and a long history of working well in conservative leaning districts. We need someone with clout right now; Luther has it.
God no, not BUCK!
I think there needs to be a “none of the above” candidate. I think that a minor celeb might do well, an ex-jock or something like that. How about Franken, he could drop out of the senate race, and run for congress. Not saying that he would win, just a though from an obviously cold medicined brain.
Look to that lefty councilmember from Bloomington to throw his hat in the ring, but I bet Geoff Michel would walk away with it. Watch out for Stanek too, he has a real girl-boner for the job.
It should always be noted that you need not live in a congressional district to run in it, but to answer the question, the way I understand the lines Steve Kelley does live in the 5th CD. Sean
Just at a first blush, Bonoff & Hortmann look like they’d be strong choices. I don’t know either of them well, but I like what they’ve done as Democrats. I would think Hortmann would be the more likely choice, but I also have no idea what her interest level is. Both are strong candidates if they’re interested.
Buck Humphrey does nothing to inspire me. I’m not saying he’s a bad guy or anything, but…
Andy Lugar is someone I’m a big fan of. Choosing between him and Mike Freeman for HCA was both agonizing and a delight; for once we were choosing between fabulous candidates instead of the lesser of who cares. Andy’s a classy guy, a forward thinker and would be an outstanding choice.
I’m not exicted about Bill Luther. I didn’t care for some of his behind-the-scenes manuevering last cycle both in the AG’s race and in his old district. I wonder how energized he’d be to really run hard, and it’s going to take someone who will run their ass off to get it done.
I really hope we see a fresh face, instead of Luther or Freeman. I’m also skeptical about Buck’s chances, but I’ll wait to see who actually gets in this thing before I weigh in.
I will say though, that I don’t think Luther getting in is a game changer. The makeup of the party in the third has changed significantly over the past couple of years, and I think his token run for AG left a bad taste in a lot of the Steve Kelley supporters in the third (of which there were a lot). Assuming this doesn’t go to a primary (god help us if it does), I think he would be a very hard sell to current dfl activists.
How about Judi Dutcher, former State Treasurer Carol Johnson, Rep. Denise Dittrich, Minnetonka City Manager John Gunyou, Hennepin County Commissioner Linda Koblick, State Rep. Ann Lenczewski, former House Speaker Phil Carruthers, Andrew Borene, and a partridge in a pear tree…? Oh, does Alan Page live in the 3rd? If not, maybe Carl Eller or Kent Hrbek are interested. How about Former MN Supreme Court Chief Justice Blatz? Does Jesse Ventura still have a ranch in Maple Grove? Is Jeff Johnson still interested in public office? Can Dick Franson move out west a bit? We totally need a Franson candidacy. What about that Plymouth mayor who ran against Terri Bonoff? Isn’t there a current or former Minnetonka mayor who’s some kind of bigshot? Maybe we could see the glorious return of Ember Reichgott Junge one ZIP code over! Prince owns property in Chanhassen! Sheryl Ramstad Hvass would keep it in the family. (It’s Andy LugEr, by the way.) Has anybody seen Ole Saviour lately? Let’s not forget about Daryl Stanton, Wendy Wilde, and Deborah Watts. That Mattson chick who got in the AG primary last year? What happened to Jon Grunseth, anyway? Isn’t Jan Smaby a western suburbanite? Tony Bouza? Hello?
If you could namecheck all of those people in rhyme though — that would be hot. Sean
Steve does, in fact, live in the Fifth, although nothing prevents a person living outside the district from running.
Maria Ruud is a darkhorse. She has twice won in a Republican district, and no candidate will outwork her.
Remembering in September -
Jan Smaby lives in the first now, just outside of Peterson, MN. And I would like to see it stay that way.
Guyou would be the smartest guy in the room.
Blatz is too busy pouring geritol and Viagra down her new hubby’s throat.
Ember who?
Borene? If you knew the whole story, you’ld want to kick his ass.
Koblick is a lightweight, very nice, but not a policy wonk by any stretch of the immagination.
I can see that beady-eyed puts Johnson getting in, and possibly winning.
I am in Maria Ruud’s district - worked for her in both campaigns. She is awesome! I would love to see her be given some exposure - I think she has a big future. She works her tail off for her constituents, stays in close contact - and is very progressive in all she stands for.
I am verry happy to see Ramstad go - didn’t think we would ever get rid of him!
Doesn’t Ford Bell live in the 3rd?
There is no way 18 people voted for Buck Humphrey.
Luger. With an “e”, Andy Luger. I just spoke to Andy Luger. He is considering running. I’ll have more up at mnblue.comlater tonite.
Two words, Ole Saviour.
In case there’s some confusion here, Luther would not be credited with his former service for purposes of seniority. All he would get would be to be sent near the front of the class of 2008, which, as of now, could be as many as 40 or 50 Democrats. He’d still be about #215 in seniority.
how about state rep. Steve Simon? I know he grew up in St. Louis Park… I don’t remember the details of his race but he beat a 12 yr Republican incumbant and he raised enough money he didn’t even need public financing. seems promising…
What about Steve Simon for the Dems? His district includes part of the 3rd and he grew up in the area. Could be a fascinating and tough endorsement battle with him, Luger & Hortman (and countless others) battling for delegates. I think he lives just outside the district but a move would be easy enough and I doubt the carpetbagger tag would matter since he represents part of the 3rd anyway.
How about Christian Sande. His campaign had so much youth energy at the convention. His legion of students would be a sight to see working the events and canvassing the district
How about running a DFL candidate who can actually win the 3rd?
My vote is for real estate developer Kelly Doran. I sure hope he gets in the race. Doran has all the qualities to win the 3rd district. His business credentials, moderate stances, and not to mention financial wearwithall.
Go listen to the MPR Gov debate…he was clearly the winner.
The more I’ve thought about it, and talked to people the more I think Andy Luger is the person to watch. I think he’s the immediate front-runner if he gets in, much more so than Bill Luther or Buck Humphrey.
Here’s why:
Fundamentally what will likely determine the democratic nominee here is the party’s endorsement. Having just campaigned across the entire third district for nearly two years, he of the possible candidates has had more direct contact with party activists across the district than anyone else. He manageed to garner some pretty hardcore supporters from across the district and from a variety of different niches within the party. He had a ton of support within the third going into the Hennepin county convention, where he won endorsement with over 70% on the first ballot. Additionally, activists within the district have been urging him to look at running since last spring.
He certaintly wouldn’t be a shoe-in for endorsement, but if he gets in he has to be considered the favorite.
luger’s a great guy - although it’s hard to win elections with a beard in 2007. terri bonoff and melissa hortman are both smart, attractive and young enough to build up seniority.
bill luther was embarassing in his last 2 campaigns (his ag campaign was a stunt to hurt steve kelley, and his recruitment of a known dfl activist to run as a 3rd party candidate to siphon votes against kline was so stupid it boggles the mind). buck humphrey’s a good guy with his heart in the right place but he has none of his grandad’s rhetorical gifts and is not quick on his feet. we’d lose with either one.
as far as dfl delegates go - they might lean to the women, but luger has certainly done some groundwork.