To date, not a single DFLer has announced intentions to run against Rep. Erik Paulsen, the first-term congressman who has proved to be far more conservative than his predecessor, Jim Ramstad, the consummate moderate in what most believe is a moderate district.
But at least one prominent DFLer, state Sen. Terri Bonoff of Minnetonka, is contemplating getting into the race.
…If she decides to run, Bonoff said that this time, “I’m going all the way.” That means she will not again pledge to abide by party endorsement and will enter a primary if DFLers endorse someone else.
I get the sense that CD3 is going to be a tough battle in 2010. Not insurmountable, but definitely tough. 2008 was our best chance in a long time with the open seat. Now that Paulsen is in Congress, he’s taking a page from John Kline’s playbook — developing a hard-right voting record, but keeping quiet and not causing any controversy. Whoever ends up running in CD3 will have a lot of work to do explaining Paulsen’s record.
Terri Bonoff is from that area in the CD 3, correct? She would have some name recognition there?
Bonoff has good name recognition. Andy Lugar would be another. The list of people who could run strong against Paulsen is pretty short, though. He is a cautious, careful politician who will make sure he doesn’t give an election away.
Clark will be taking a good portion of the money on the DFL side. Paulsen is safe in 2010. It will be 2012 and redistricting before the DFL can take a good crack at him again.
Terry Bonoff cannot win that race, she’s FAR too much of a policy light-weight. I don’t like Paulsen, I’ll vote against him, but Bonoff is just to of a ‘same old, same old’ DNR politico.
I’m sorry that Bonoff is so egotistical that she can’t see she has no chance at that seat. Very sad. It means another David Dillon will enter the race from the IP and we’ll all suffer with more “Mr. No” votes from Paulsen. Bonoff needs to study hard for years to get up to speed on policy before she can go toe to toe with anyone on any issue.
How about this race:
Dillon vs. Paulsen.
Leave a liberal out of it. Are they really going to have a chance in that district, anyway?
Make this one R vs. I. No D. You think that could ever happen?
Probably more of a chance than Bonoff, frankly. As much as I’d hate to see that happen, I think more would vote for Dillon than her - especially if she tried to answer any questions in public.
Bonoff would be a strong candidate, assuming she learned the right lessons from her last campaign.
I hope the DFL can recruit a strong candidate to run against Paulsen, and doesn’t wait for redistricting (as I know many people are talking about). An incumbent is at their most vulnerable in their first re-elect, and Paulsen should not get a free ride.
Bonoff has experience, a good story to tell, an ability to raise money, and success in the district. These are all good things. She has her flaws as a candidate, but almost everyone does. Her inference that she’d go to a primary is unsurprising after the last race, but might not be necessary this time. (considering the difficulty recruiting for the race that is going on…who would challenge?)
I’d like to see Bonoff, Luger, or Hovland get in. Hortmann is in the district isn’t she? She’d be a strong one too.
Ash Madia was a breath of fresh air last time.
Succinct and well-informed. The Dems put up several good candidates,
Bonoff wasn’t quite as strong as Madia & the mayor of Edina had no name recognition.
Would the right wing be dirty enough to try euphemistic race-baiting again?
Ash Madia was a breath of fresh air last time.
Succinct and well-informed. The Dems put up several good candidates,
Bonoff wasn’t quite as strong as Madia & the mayor of Edina (a former Republican) had no name recognition.
Would the right wing be dirty enough to try euphemistic race-baiting again?
You have to wonder what some people are thinking.
Bonoff won twice in a district that nobody dreamed would fall into democratic hands. She did it by outworking and out thinking her opponents. One could argue that Ash (of whom I’m a fan) lost last time because he was never able to shake the charge that he didn’t “fit” the district.
Try that with Bonoff, Please.
Terry is one of the best new possible congressional candidates in the state. Underestimate her at your own peril because she’s a natural fit for the 3rd.
I was an Ashwin guy last time. I was at the convention working the floor for Ashwin and have the utmost respect for Senator Bonoff.
CD 3 was fortunate in 2008, they had 2 solid candidates in Bonoff and Madia. Lessons have been learned and Senator Bonoff is poised to do well in 2010.
She has strong name recognition across the district and has shown to be a strong fundraiser as well. She would provide Paulsen with some very serious competition…
I worked for Ash last time and wish he won and we were defending this seat right now.
That said, Terri was and remains very tough politically and her record in the Legislature is in keeping with the moderate/”maverick” political culture of the 3rd Congressional District.
As a senator, she’s always been willing to think outside the box, go against what’s most expedient and push her party to try something new and better. Erik Paulsen can’t say any of those things with any credibility.
Terri can (and will if she runs) win CD-3 because she’ll out-hustle the Republicans. She can and has taken everything the MN GOP has to dish out. And she’s not a tool of any party or interest group. She’s the best potential candidate in the field and provides the strongest chance at retiring Bachmann’s boring clone once and for all.
“As a senator, she’s always been willing to think outside the box, go against what’s most expedient and push her party to try something new and better. Erik Paulsen can’t say any of those things with any credibility.”
Great point. That needs to be her schtick.
If she says “I’m a Democrat and we want to be the Republican” she’ll lose. If she says that she can represent the district in a thoughtful, moderate way and Paulsen is voting with his party leader 100% of the time, she very well could win it.
“As a senator, she’s always been willing to think outside the box, go against what’s most expedient and push her party to try something new and better. Erik Paulsen can’t say any of those things with any credibility.”
Great point. That needs to be her schtick.
If she says “I’m a Democrat and we want to beat the Republican” she’ll lose. If she says that she can represent the district in a thoughtful, moderate way and Paulsen is voting with his party leader 100% of the time, she very well could win it.
Terri Bonoff, the Democrat version of Sarah Palin. As I have repeatedly stated her qualifications “executive experience” are openly fake.
I would love to get Dillon back in the race again. Not sure if he will. Haven't heard. I helped on his campaign and would again, if for not being out of the country. Maybe if he put his hat back in the ring, I'd move back and help him out again. Dillon is a better choice. He would be more apt to take on the bigger problems with less worry about money from his handlers. Dillon would listen to more what the District wanted and needed. Paulsen or any Demorat would have to listen to those that bought and paid for their election. You voted for Paulsen, you got what THEY paid for, not what you really wanted. Go with the Independence Party next time. At least they make sense. People didn't like Jesse Ventura, but he actually called these problems before they happened and said that we needed to plan this all out now, that was 9 year ago? He also said that that health care needs to be fixed. He was right. Nothing being done about that because the Health Care industry is spending a lot money to keep from any changes.
You get what you paid for when you elect those from the other 2 parties. Actually you are getting the same thing just one has a ass for a logo and the other something that is not willing to change much. At least the IP has a logo that matches something actually from Minnesota. People, stop voting for the Dems or Repb. Vote for common sense. You want Dillon back in there? Email him or get a hold of him and talk him into it. I wish I could.
I could not agree more, Joe. Dillon is a smart guy and would make a heck of a public servant.
Many would see his lack of major party affiliation as a liability. I think you and I see it as a huge asset.
Actually Dan, David does have major party affiliation. The IP of Minnesota has that. And has since 1992.
There is an announced candidate, by the way. Jim Meffert, who is the Minnesota PTA president. He is from Edina and told the local party central committee of his intentions last month.