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HANDICAPPING THE HENNEPIN COUNTY COMMISSIONER RACE
By Michael B. Brodkorb | February 22, 2008
We hear a lot these days about how the DFL thinks they have a growing lock on the suburbs. There is, of course, evidence that this isn't even close to the truth. The Hennepin County Commissioner endorsement tomorrow between Jeff Johnson and Warren Limmer is a very good example of this. Why? Because the DFL hasn't even fielded a candidate.
At a time when they believe they are going to roll over Republicans in all parts of the suburbs, why can't they even find a warm body to run for an open Commissioner seat? The endorsing convention should be an interesting one. Without providing any analysis, here are a few things that we are seeing in this Western suburban race:
Campaign Finance (NOTE: reports can be viewed here)
Jeff Johnson raised just over $10,300 in 2007 and had just over $8,200 in the bank at the end of the year.
Warren Limmer raised just over $2,800 in 2007 and had just over $2,000 in the bank at the end of the year.
Politics
The biggest knock on the Johnson campaign appears to be a question of whether or not he is too nice to fill the shoes of Penny Steele who had to be a street fighter on a board that loves to tax and spend
There is some buzz that Maple Grove delegates are still upset with Limmer over the way he handled the Maple Grove hospital issue, and for joining the DFL last year to raise per diem 45%.
Everyone seems to agree that this race is too close to call, and that this seat will remain in Republican hands.
Tags: Jeff Johnson
Topics: Jeff Johnson | 3 Comments »
3 Responses to “HANDICAPPING THE HENNEPIN COUNTY COMMISSIONER RACE”
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February 22nd, 2008 at 1:39 PM
One guy has a lot of money and an organization.
Hey, we know MN Majority is supporting Keith Downey to overthrow Erhardt for the Edina seat.
I have a better idea – leave Erhardt there – at least he is a moderat GOP not a DFL and get Downey into another seat we will lose – he has the credentials for the Henn County seat.
Look! Linda Koblick just announced she wont run for reelection in Henn Cty district 6, Downey’s district.
Keith would be smart to QUICKLY switch and run for powerful 6th District commissioner endorsement. Keith would be only 1 of 7 running a government enterprise as large as the state of mn. Representatives are one of 134. Dems are caught off guard on the empty seat. Keith already has a big campaign organization. A lot better than to tackle fighting an incumbent from your party who is one of the highest vote getting representatives in the state and will get the votes because much of Edina has gone Dem, even the city council. A conservative will lose and then the seat is really lost. Get Keith to go for commish! Waddayathink?
February 22nd, 2008 at 3:58 PM
Jeff Johnson is the better candidate. What has Warren accomplished in the legislature in twenty years–nothing. He nearly screwed up the hospital bill and has done nothing else. Jeff is a true conservative that can get things done. We don’t need someone just to keep a seat warm, we need someone to do something. Jeff is that guy.
February 25th, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Congrats! Jeff won the seat and in the process may have lost a spot on the county board for republicans. Johnson in his stupendious idiocy talked about privatizing HCMC effectively pissing off every lobbyist and employee in the one foul swoop. Johnson’s people stacked the event with resources from his Legislative auditor campaign and took the seat of the person most qualified (Limmer). Now we are in a position with a less qualified candidate, less motivated, with a worse record in contested elections. AFSME has already started looking for candidates and they will put at least 100 grand to fight him (since these statements about the hospital were made). Not even 5 minutes in the front runner spot and he screws up ROYALLY. And don’t kid yourself, despite the fact that this is a very republican district, we can still loose. Its a weird election year, the dems have way more money(and they’re pissed), and there is no party affiliation listed on the ballot. At this point the best thing for real conservatives to do would be find an independant conservative to run because Johnson may already be done! But thanks to all those who showed up to screw over Limmer and the rest of hennepin county. I guess the endorsement of commissioner Steele and Michelle Bauchman for limmer and a 30 year history of “Getting things done” wasnt enough to overcome this coo. What a ridiculous circus this party has become.