It’s Primary Election day in Minnesota.
Secretary of State Steve Simon encourages every Minnesotan to get out and vote. Simon says “the primary is the election that determines who is going to be on that General Election ballot. Which winnows the field whether in a partisan race or a nonpartisan race. So it’s really critically important that people have a say at this juncture to make sure the people on the November ballot are the best candidates.”
Among the key races:
There’s a primary battle-royal in the Second Congressional District just southeast of the Twin Cities, where G-O-P Congressman John Kline is not running for re-election. Endorsed Republican candidate and radio talk show host Jason Lewis has three G-O-P challengers: Tea Party activist Matthew Erickson, former state Senator John Howe, and manufacturing executive Darlene Miller. The winner goes up against Democrat Angie Craig in November.
In the First Congressional District in southern Minnesota, Republican-endorsed candidate Jim Hagedorn — who ran unsuccessfully for that seat in 2014 — faces a primary challenge from fellow Republican and farmer Steve Williams. The winner is up against incumbent Democrat Tim Walz in the November election.
There’s a primary battle-royal in the Second Congressional District just southeast of the Twin Cities, where G-O-P Congressman John Kline is not running for re-election. Endorsed Republican candidate and radio talk show host Jason Lewis has three G-O-P challengers: Tea Party activist Matthew Erickson, former state Senator John Howe, and manufacturing executive Darlene Miller. The winner goes up against Democrat Angie Craig in November.
In the Sixth District, from the Twin Cities northwest to Saint Cloud, there’s a primary election battle on both sides of the aisle. On the Democratic side, endorsed candidate David Snyder is being challenged by painter/remodeler Judy Adams and I-T consultant Bob Helland. On the Republican side, Congressman Tom Emmer has a primary challenge from Tea Party activist A.J. Kern and from businessman and Iraq war vet Patrick Munro.
In the Seventh District in western Minnesota, GOP-endorsed candidate David Hughes, an instructor pilot and retired Air Force officer, has a primary challenged from pastor and ex-businesswoman Amanda Hinson. The winner faces incumbent Democrat Collin Peterson in the fall election.
Polls opened at seven this morning and close at eight p.m.