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?
Brian Bakst

Second thoughts? Some MN candidates withdraw after sign-up storm

Mike Hatch files to run for attorney general.
Mike Hatch files to run for attorney general, Tuesday, June 5, 2018.
Briana Bierschbach | MPR News

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

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

Show me!

Updated 5:20 p.m. | Posted 3:52 p.m.

Minnesota saw a rush of political candidates file for office at Tuesday's deadline. Now, there's a new urgency for some to get off the ballot.

Candidates had a 48-hour window to withdraw following Tuesday's filing deadline. With that Thursday 5 p.m. deadline approaching, the field of candidates in some closely watched Minnesota races is shrinking.

Kim Ellison was one of those to take her name off the list. She is a Minneapolis school board member who had filed for the 5th Congressional District seat being vacated by her ex-husband DFL Rep. Keith Ellison. He's running for attorney general.

Her departure still leaves several DFLers in the congressional race heading into an August primary. On Wednesday, ex-Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch took himself out of contention to take back his old job, saying he was satisfied by the quality of others who are seeking the job.

DFLer Jon Tollefson pulled out of the MN state auditor's race where Julie Blaha was the party's endorsed candidate. Tollefson had filed against her this week after the two vied for party backing at the convention in Rochester, Minn.

Some legislative candidates from both parties also dropped out, averting primaries in key districts.

Former DFL state Sen. Julie Sabo, the daughter of former U.S. House Rep. Martin Sabo, waited until the very last minute to enter the race Tuesday for Minnesota's 5th Congressional District, the seat once held by her father.

On Thursday, she pulled up outside the State Office Building at 4:59 p.m. and turned on her car's flashers as she raced in to beat the withdrawal deadline.

"This all happened so fast that I thought, 'I'm going to file and give myself some time to think about it and talk to people,'" Sabo said. "Ultimately I had to just weigh where my life is at right now and the reality of getting a campaign up and going. It all comes down to practicality sometimes."

Her cell phone rang. It was Sabo's husband, who she didn't have a chance to consult before entering the race and who wanted to make sure she got out in time.

"It was all very, very rushed," she said.