Cook County News Herald

DFL straw poll picks Bakk





Bill Hansen holding up a sign for the Tofte precinct at the Cook County DFL caucus February 2 at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts.

Bill Hansen holding up a sign for the Tofte precinct at the Cook County DFL caucus February 2 at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts.

Forty-seven democrats attended the 2010 Cook County Democratic- Farm-Labor (DFL) caucus and Cook County convention at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts Tuesday, February 2. Theparty platform was not debated, but the group spent some time discussing whom the delegates to the 8th District and state conventions would support for governor.

Cook County DFL chair Tim Kennedy read a letter from state DFL party chair Brian Melendez stating the party’s intention to “take back the governorship” and advocate an “aggressive agenda” at the state and federal level.

The caucus broke up into precincts to cast ballots and draft resolutions that will be passed on to the 8th District level. In the Grand Marais east precinct group, Fritz Sobanja read a letter from Tom Bakk, in which he noted that the DFL has lost five gubernatorial elections in a row. “If we lose again,” Bakk wrote, “leading to a continuation of the Pawlenty ‘no new tax’ pledge, the quality of life for Minnesotans will continue to erode and the Minnesota we know and love will be a different place.” Bakk said his campaign theme is “jobs, jobs, jobs.”

The county convention immediately followed the caucus. Tim Kennedy said he would not be running again after six years as chair. “I did enjoy the six years I’ve done it,” Kennedy said. “Thank you.” Diane Parker and Bill Hansen were both nominated to take his place. Hansen said he was party chair for eight years and hoped someone else would want the position, although he was willing. “I’d very much like to give someone else the opportunity,” he said.

Diane Parker said she was willing to be chair but asked if anyone else wanted the position. Denny Fitzpatrick was asked if he wanted the job, but he “respectfully” declined because of other commitments in his life right now. Hansen nominated Fitzpatrick for vice-chair.

Parker was voted in as chair, and Fitzpatrick, as vice-chair. Bev Denyes agreed to continue as secretary-treasurer after “30-plus” years and was voted in unanimously.

State Senator Tom Bakk won the straw poll for governor with 20 out of 47 votes. Margaret Anderson Kelliher came in second, with 11 votes.

Several people spoke up in support of various gubernatorial candidates. Bill Hansen said he thinks the party has a good chance of getting a Democrat into the governor’s spot, especially since Norm Coleman dropped out of the race. He endorsed Margaret Anderson Kelliher, who supported him in his two runs for state representative.

Fritz Sobanja spoke up for Tom Bakk, with whom he has interacted through his position as county commissioner. “He has worked for us in Cook County,” Sobanja said. “There’s no doubt about it.”

Grand Marais Mayor Sue Hakes said she believes Bakk would be a “centrist” who could bring Democrats and Republicans together.

Former county attorney Bill Hennessy said he thinks they should try to support someone who has the best chance of being elected governor.

“I think we have an excellent slate of delegates,” said Jerry Henniker. He said he would like to be a delegate to the 8th District and state conventions but was not ready to commit to a candidate yet.

Six delegates and six alternates were voted in. Each one will be voting for the gubernatorial candidate of his or her choice at the conventions. Sue Hakes asked them to please remember that Tom Bakk received the most votes from Cook County.

The Minnesota DFL ongoing platform and action agenda can be found online at www.dfl.org. Its platform includes positions on agriculture; business and community development; civil, human, and constitutional rights; consumer issues; education; energy; government accountability; health and human services; labor and employment; national security and international policy; natural resources and the environment; public safety and crime prevention; retirement security; tax and budget policy; transportation; and veterans affairs.

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