In most circles, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D) is viewed as the front-runner in the race for governor.
Ely voters, at least those who turned out for Tuesday’s DFL precinct caucus, certainly agreed.
Klobuchar ran away with a straw poll taken as part of caucus night on the Vermilion campus of Minnesota North College.
The fourth-term U.S. Senator, who last week announced she would enter the gubernatorial race, received about two-thirds of the votes cast in the Ely straw poll.
Klobuchar collected 29 votes, while 14 Ely Democrats indicated they were uncommitted, and two more selected incumbent Tim Walz, who is not seeking a third term in office.
Democrats across Minnesota only polled for governor and did not pick favorites in the hotly-contested U.S. Senate battle between Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and U.S. Rep. Angie Craig.
In the governor’s race, Klobuchar is the only DFL candidate at the moment, although the filing period for the August primary doesn’t open until May.
Klobuchar has served continuously in the U.S. Senate since winning election in 2006 and scoring convincing re-election wins in 2012, 2018 and 2024.
She is looking to retain the DFL’s lock on the governor seat. Minnesota last elected a Republican governor, Tim Pawlenty, in 2006.
The straw poll for governor was just part of a busier than usual caucus night in Ely.
Carol Orban, DFL precinct chair in Ely, convened the caucus and said she was impressed with the participation.
“I was really happy with the turnout and seeing quite a few younger people made me so happy,” she said. “We need young blood.”
The DFL filled most of the 24 seats from Ely that it gets for an upcoming party unit convention, slated for March 21 at Hermantown.
From there, delegates are selected for further conventions, leading up to the state convention.
Party delegates have their say in endorsing candidates for various offices and setting a party platform for this year.
Participants in Ely advanced several resolutions for consideration at later levels Among the resolutions passed were opposition to U.S. Pete Stauber’s legislation that would allow the federal government access to the state’s voter registration data, as well as another to create “aging in place” options.
Other resolutions related to medical aid and end-oflife choices, sustainability practices and one advocating for the repeal of the state’s anti-boycott laws.
