Game Of Musical Chairs Breaks Out In Minnesota Politics
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Candidates made a mad dash Tuesday to file for open state and congressional seats. It all started when current Attorney General Lori Swanson decided to run for Governor.
With the Attorney General seat vacant, it created a domino effect. Democratic Congressman Keith Ellison decided to run for the position, opening the race for the 5th congressional district. DFLers jumping in that race: State Representative Ilhan Omar, the nation's first Somali-American legislator, State Senator Patricia Torres Ray, State Senator Bobby Joe Champion, former House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher and Ellison's ex-wife and Minneapolis School Board member Kim Ellison.
"Research over time shows that in open seat races the candidates that have the best shot at becoming a candidate and winning the general election are current or former state legislators," University of Minnesota Political Science Professor Kathryn Pearson said.
While that plays out, Ellison turns his attention to the race for attorney general. Pearson said he made a name for himself as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, and voicing opposition to major party views.
"It also suggests he's interested in Minnesota statewide politics. Attorney Generals have frequently run for Governor of Minnesota so who knows. I don't know what his higher ambitions are, but he's clearly an ambitious politician," Pearson said.
Ellison says he's ready for the job.
"The Attorney General's job is to stand for people and to fight for them to make sure that when they are trying to put food on the table, or trying to buy something, or get an account, or make a loan or whatever, that they have a powerful advocate. And that's what I'm going to be as the Minnesota Attorney General," Ellison said.
Click here to see DFL and Republican candidates that have filed for those races. The landscape could still change through Thursday. That's the deadline for candidates to drop out of the race.
While primaries typically have a low turnout, Pearson thinks more attention will be on August because of the crowded and interesting races.
