By Don Heinzman

ECM Editorial Contributor 

While change is the buzzword in political campaigns, last week’s primary election results in Minnesota look like more of the same could be in store for the future.

Almost all Minnesota incumbents local, county, state and national, survived the primary elections and are in the races for November.

Endorsed candidates by political parties were mostly victorious, with one notable exception.

Rep. Jim Abeler of Anoka, a Republican party outcast because of his vote to override Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s veto of the gas tax increase, was re-elected over his Republican Party endorsed candidate.  Abeler says his district approved and the vote proved legislators can still vote their conscience.

Not so lucky was Rep. Neil Peterson of Bloomington who like Abeler was taken to the Republican woodshed for his vote to override Pawlenty.  

Peterson said he was done in by his own party and not by the candidate.  He added he’s the only Republican in history ever targeted by his own party.

U.S. Senate candidates Republican Sen. Norm Coleman, Democrat Al Franken and Independent Dean Barkley won handily in one of the races watched closely by both political parties.

In the Sixth Congressional race, Rep. Michele Bachmann easily won her primary contest but could have a tougher time going up against DFL-endorsed El Tinklenberg, who says he is about to intensify his campaign.

In the Second Congressional district, John Kline is poised to win re-election.

The Third Congressional district looks to be a close race between Independent David Dillot, Democrat Ashwin Madia and Republican Erik Paulsen.

Eighth District Congressman James Oberstar easily should be re-elected as he continues to produce badly needed transportation funding for his district.

Now it’s on to the last 50 days of the campaign where party officials and political observers are predicting close races from the top down.

DFL party officials are confident that Minnesotans will elect a Democratic President for the ninth consecutive time.  While polls are showing a close race, they say an aggressive ground game is appealing to independents and young voters.

Republican party officials are equally confident and are energized by the enthusiastic reception of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for Vice President.

During all this negative campaigning and with a close election at hand, it behooves voters to look at the real issues, particularly on the economy, which is the number one concern of all sectors of Minnesota.

The candidates who can convince people they will do something substantial to increase jobs and correct an ailing economy should come out the winners.

Comments (0)