Oct 3, 2009 10:46 pm US/Central
Seifert Wins In Minn. GOP Governor Straw Poll
ST. PAUL (WCCO) ―
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"This is the beginning, not the end. We are not going to peak now, we are going to peak on Nov. 2 of next year," said Seifert.
Minnesota House Of Representatives
State Rep. Marty Seifert took 37 percent of the votes in a nine-person field.
His closest rival was Rep. Tom Emmer who won 23 percent of the vote. Pat Anderson got 14 percent and Sen. David Hann received 12 percent.
Governor Pawlenty opened up the Minnesota Republican Party's convention by firing up the crowd, impressing on them the importance of keeping a Republican in the state's highest office.
"It will go the other way as sure as you're sitting here today, if we don't have a Republican sitting in that Governor's office," said Pawlenty.
The nine republican candidates tried to convince the approximately 1,200 delegates why they could lead the party to victory. Many touted plans for cutting spending and the size of government.
"Are we going to elect a governor that follows the lead of Washington that believes that the federal government knows better than the people and the market place? No," said Emmer.
A few talked about education reform and social issues.
"And those who consistently oppose choice in education now opposes choice in health care," said Pat Anderson.
Delegates cast ballots for both first and second choices.
Frontrunner Representative Marty Seifert says his work has only just begun.
"This is the beginning, not the end. We are not going to peak now, we are going to peak on Nov. 2 of next year," said Seifert.
The second and third place finishers said they felt good about their progress so far.
"We're running on what we believe we need to do to get people to join our team, join our party, join our vision as far as the future of Minnesota," said Emmer.
"Our goal was to be in the top three and we're there and we're happy with our turnout there. We're both there in the first and second choice and so we're ready to move forward," said Anderson.
The endorsing conventions for both the GOP and the DFL will be held near the end of next April.
There is still a question of whether former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman may run for governor. He did receive a few write-in votes Saturday.
So far, there are nine Democratic candidates running for governor.
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MN Gov's Race Starts To Come Into Focus
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