Politics

WAYZATA, Minn. (AP) ― Ashwin Madia, an attorney who served in Iraq and a fresh face to Democratic politics, got his party's support on Saturday for a rare open seat in Minnesota's 3rd Congressional District.

Madia won by acclamation after state Sen. Terri Bonoff dropped out of the race at an endorsing convention in Wayzata. They had gone eight ballots with Bonoff trailing but holding him back from the 60 percent threshold required for an endorsement.

The former Marine said his military experience and moderate background -- he is a former Republican -- would have broad appeal. His top issues are ending the Iraq War, balancing the budget and addressing global warming, and he expects he'll need about $3 million to run.

"If we unify this district -- if we tell them about our new brand of patriotism, calling on all of us to be part of the solutions to the problems that our country is facing -- I think that message is going to resonate, and I think the Republicans are going to have their hands full," Madia said.

He will face state Rep. Erik Paulsen for the GOP and businessman David Dillon for the Independence Party.

Democrats see their best shot in half a century at the suburban seat in Congress, open this year because of the retirement of GOP Rep. Jim Ramstad, a popular moderate who dominated his opponents at the polls for 18 years even as his district became less Republican. This year's race is considered one of the most unpredictable in the country.

Paulsen welcomed Madia to the race in a statement, but GOP Chairman Ron Carey dismissed Madia as "far-left" and "too partisan and too liberal" for the moderate district. National Republicans have already announced their intention to give Paulsen extra financial support.

The endorsing contest at Wayzata Central Middle School pitted newcomers inspired by Madia's candidacy against more seasoned Bonoff fans who claimed she was the more electable candidate. Paulsen's name was often in the air as their fight turned passionate and dragged through a long afternoon, dividing two camps who tried to shout each other down between ballots.

Even before the voting started, DFL Party Chairman Brian Melendez took the stage to admonish party activists to keep their focus on Paulsen -- not their own differences.

"The opponent to be is not the other Democrat it's Erik Paulsen," Melendez said.

Madia led on the first ballot with 53 percent of the delegates. Bonoff gained a few delegates on the second ballot, Madia on the third, and they essentially deadlocked until he got almost 58 percent support on the eighth ballot. Bonoff, a former businesswoman and community activist, then conceded.

"It is time for us to take back the 3rd District seat and stand united as Democrats so that we win in November," she said.

Madia spokesman Chris Truscott said the campaign raised almost $200,000 in the first three months of the year.

Madia is the son of Indian immigrants.

His youth and confidence inspired his supporters, who tended on average to be younger than Bonoff's camp. At 30, he is two decades younger than Bonoff.

"He captures possibility. He captures what can inspire younger members of our community," said Kimberly Hahneman of Edina.

He served in a noncombat role in Iraq from September 2005 to March 2006, working on the Iraqi justice system. He said that experience makes it harder for Republicans to attack him on national security and terrorism issues.

"I'll tell you one thing: Marines don't take kindly to being called weak and unpatriotic," he told delegates in his opening speech.

Later on, Madia drew some boos and some cheers when he said he used to be a Republican.

"I think it might actually appeal to some people in the 3rd District," he said.

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