Johnson Wins GOP Backing For Governor
ROCHESTER, Minn. (AP) — Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson has secured the endorsement of state Republican convention delegates in his bid for Minnesota governor.
He notched the win Saturday on the fourth ballot. He outlasted state Sen. Dave Thompson and former state Rep. Marty Seifert. Thompson withdrew following a third ballot and threw his backing to Johnson. Seifert said he was headed to a primary regardless of the result.
Republicans won't know their nominee until August because two other contenders also bypassed the convention for the primary. They are businessman Scott Honour and former House Speaker Kurt Zellers.
The party's goal is to unseat first-term Gov. Mark Dayton. He was endorsed by Democrats for another four years at a state convention in Duluth on Saturday.
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