Democrats meet tomorrow in Minneapolis on Father’s Day to endorse a new candidate for 5th District U-S House — but whether they actually chose someone remains to be seen. Hamline University’s David Schultz says the special convention might winnow-out one or two people, but predicts a still-crowded field of Democrats in the August primary. Schultz says, “There’s a simple reason: I think the party’s divided and, two, when congressional seats open up, it’s almost a once-in-a-career opportunity to run.” The flurry of hats-in-the-ring was prompted by Congressman Keith Ellison dropping out of the race to run for Minnesota attorney general, after current A-G Lori Swanson announced she’s running for governor.
Pre-convention list of Democrats running for U-S House in the 5th Congressional District: Former House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher, State Senator Patricia Torres Ray, State Representative Ilhan Omar, Frank Nelson Drake, Jamal Abdi Abdulahi.