Jun 13 Expanding the field

Written by Brad Carlson.

With former gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer being the first Republican to join the US House race for MN Congressional District Six, it was hard to imagine anyone could top his grand entrance. Having lost by a scant 0.5% in a state wide race in 2010 (but securing an 18-point margin of victory in CD6), Emmer was by far the favorite given his name recognition (co-hosting a morning drive-time radio show has only enhanced that) and fundraising prowess. This hardly went unnoticed by other potential candidates, as the likes of former Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch, state senators Michelle Benson & Branden Peterson and state representatives David Fitzsimmons & Peggy Scott declined to jump in to the race. In fact, Koch even went so far as to endorse Emmer before he officially made his announcement last week.

But as of yesterday morning, Emmer now has one opponent for the GOP nomination.

Jun 13 Help Me Rhonda

Written by Mark Heuring.

Tom Emmer has an opponent in CD6:

Anoka County Board chairwoman Rhonda Sivarajah launched her congressional campaign Wednesday, saying she is “uniquely qualified” to take the seat of retiring U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann.

“Washington is full of people who talk and talk and talk,” said Sivarajah, who announced her candidacy in an auto body shop repair bay, flanked by family, friends, flags and a pickup truck hoisted aloft in the background.” We need to send people there who will actually deliver real results.”

Jun 10 Emmer Makes Sixth District Choice Easy, Lewis Could Make It Hard

Written by Walter Hudson.

Tom Emmer’s announcement that he will run for Congress in Minnesota’s Sixth Congressional District to succeed the outgoing Michele Bachmann has set the standard for those who may follow. It is therefore no wonder why so many rumored candidates have taken their names out of the running around the same time. Speaking on my own behalf, other candidates have their work cut out for them if they hope to divert my support from Tom. His entry makes the choice very easy against nearly any opponent – with the possible exception of Jason Lewis.

Rumored to be seriously considering a run, Tom’s Twin Cities News Talk colleague would present much the same appeal and divide loyalty among a shared base of supporters.

Jun 06 Emmer Is In

Written by Mark Heuring.

Tom Emmer is the first in to replace Michele Bachmann:

“I have never felt more compelled in my life to serve,” Emmer said Wednesday to at least 100 supporters at a park in Delano, his hometown. During a brief dry spell in the daylong rain, Emmer ticked off his reasons for running: the IRS’ targeting of conservative groups, the Justice Department’s search of reporters’ records and what he termed out-of-control spending.
“Is this the legacy we want to leave to our children?” he said. “The answer obviously is no, and the time to act is now.”