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Republican and DFL candidates for governor are spending a lot of time at the Minnesota State Fair this year. They're trying to build some early momentum in a contest that won't be won for another 14 months.

Seven DFL candidates converged at the fair yesterday to make the case for their candidacy during a live radio broadcast, organized by progressive talk radio station 

Long before Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced he wouldn't seek a third term, DFL candidates were lining up for a chance to replace him. So far, no less than 10 Democrats have filed the state paperwork needed to raise and spend money and more are expected to join them.

Seven of the DFL candidates shared a stage as well as their visions for Minnesota during a two-hour broadcast. They described largely similar views on the need to expand access to health care, add jobs to the state's economy and prepare for another state budget crisis they view as inevitable. 

Former U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton is among several candidates who believe state government will need more tax revenue to balance its books. Dayton favors raising the income taxes for the state's wealthiest residents. He says that 10 percent of the population is currently not paying a proportionate share.

"Until I can tell, as governor, the people of Minnesota that the taxes in this state are fair, that everybody is paying their fair proportionate share, as far as I'm concerned I'm not going to raise taxes on anybody else," Dayton said.

Dayton and other candidates also vowed to protect cities, counties and school district from further budget pain. Former state Sen. Steve Kelley said Governor Tim Pawlenty's unwillingness to raise taxes at the state level has resulted in high local property taxes. 

"I think basic honesty in government requires that we talk about what the state should be doing, what all of us as Minnesotans together can do, rather than pushing costs down to Duluth or northwestern Minnesota or into our cities," Kelly said.

But support for Local Government Aid was not unanimous. Former state representative Matt Entenza said he expects the next governor will enter office in 2011 facing a deficit of more than $5 billion. Entenza says that will mean making tough choices.

"Local government aid is not my top priority," Entenza stated. "My top priority is getting the economy going; it's our schools and it's working on health care. A governor can't do everything, and you have to have a sense of priorities."

When the DFL candidates weren't highlighting their priorities, they were criticizing the man they want to replace, Gov. Tim Pawlenty. There's still plenty of bitterness among DFLers over the conclusion of the 2009 Legislative session, when the Republican governor used his unallotment authority to make unilateral budget cuts.


Rep. Tom Rukavina said he still thinks the move was unconstitutional and he wants to challenge Pawlenty in court. Rep. Paul Thissen and state Sen. Tom Bakk both used the end of session controversy to point to their own ability to reach compromise. Bakk said he'd bring the experience of a former union negotiator to the governor's office. 

"Both sides need to get something in negotiations," Bakk said. Whether it's over a contract, or at the State Capitol and the state budget, both sides need to come away with a little win. Because if you don't, long term relationships are badly damaged."

With most of the candidates highlighting their experience as state legislators, Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner said she offers a fresh approach. Gaertner is emphasizing her management experience in a mostly non-partisan area of government.

"That is exactly what the public is looking forward to," Gaertner claimed. "A governor who is not about partisan labels, who is not about ideology, but about fundamental values that we all share and how are we going to meet the needs of our citizens."

Debate organizers say Minnesota House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher and state Sen. John Marty had other commitments and could not attend. Also absent were Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak and St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. Both mayors are running for re-election this fall, but they're also openly talking about entering the governor's race later this year.

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Author

Republican and DFL candidates for governor are spending a lot of time at the Minnesota State Fair this year. They're trying to build some early momentum in a contest that won't be won for another 14 months.


DFL Gubernatorial candidates stump at State Fair

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