Group Calls On Next Gov. To Close Racial Gap

ST. PAUL (AP) -- A coalition of faith leaders is calling on Minnesota's next governor to elevate racial inequalities in education, health and jobs to a major policy focus.

ISAIAH coalition leaders said Wednesday both Democrat Mark Dayton and Republican Tom Emmer are invited to a Dec. 5 gathering focused on the issue in Minneapolis. Neither candidate has committed to attending, but Dayton is sending transition team members.

Dayton leads Emmer by nearly 8,800 votes in an undecided governor's race subject to a recount that starts Monday.

Rev. Paul Slack of New Creation Church in Brooklyn Park says the state needs its top leader to make closing the racial gap into a mission.

The group aims to draw 1,500 to the Minneapolis event after gathering 4,000 people for house meetings.

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