Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Capitol View®
Catharine Richert

Severson wins GOP endorsement for secretary of state

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Former state Rep. Dan Severson has won the Republican Party endorsement to run for Minnesota secretary of state.

“Without clean elections, we cannot elect people who are business friendly,” said Severson. “Without clean elections the conservative cause in Minnesota will continue to languish.”

To address the issues he sees with the secretary of state’s office, Severson said he would launch a reform plan in his first 100 days in office.

That plan includes asking county attorneys to address voting discrepancies and a panel of business owners to help Severson figure out how the office can better serve Minnesota businesses.

Severson is also proposing a voluntary version of the photo ID requirement that voters rejected in 2012.

With Secretary of State Mark Ritchie retiring this year, the office is wide open. The DFL nomination for Secretary of State promises to be the most contentious competition at the DFL’s convention in Duluth this weekend.

Severson won the endorsement after  former state Sen. John Howe, R-Red Wing, withdrew his name from nomination after the first ballot was taken. He said that the party shouldn't focus on voter ID issues.

“If we talk about voter ID, we will give this election to Democrats,” Howe said.

Severson ran against Ritchie in 2010 and lost by more than 70,000 votes in the general election.