Fish flap prompts challenger to Chaudhary's seat

A former three-term state representative says she'll challenge DFL Sen. Satveer Chaudhary in the August primary.

Barb Goodwin, a Democrat who served in the Minnesota House from 2001 to 2007, said she made the decision Monday after being contacted by several city leaders and DFLers.

Goodwin said many told her that they are embarrassed by Chaudhary's last minute push during the legislative session to improve fishing on a lake where he owns a cabin.

"This kind of like the straw that broke the camel's back for a lot of people," Goodwin said. "It's not one thing that they decided they could live with. It's more that they feel like they want good service."

Chaudhary apologized for his actions and said last week that he would run for re-election, but that he isn't bothered by Goodwin's challenge. He said he thinks the challenge has less to do with his self-described screw-up and more to do with the fact that people don't like that he's an outdoorsman.

"There is a small, and I emphasize small, handful of people who resent that I hunt and fish as much as I do," he said. "And if you boil it all down, that's what you come up with."

DFL party leaders will meet on June 28th to consider revoking Chaudhary's endorsement.