Local Republican and DFL precinct caucuses met Tuesday night to launch their activities for the November election, and GOP gubernatorial candidate Brian Sullivan won the local vote ? reflecting his statewide win over Tim Pawlenty in the nonbinding poll.

Wednesday, March 06, 2002

Local Republican and DFL precinct caucuses met Tuesday night to launch their activities for the November election, and GOP gubernatorial candidate Brian Sullivan won the local vote – reflecting his statewide win over Tim Pawlenty in the nonbinding poll.

In the meeting at Albert Lea High School, Republicans took a straw poll on three gubernatorial candidates vying for GOP endorsement. Out of 150 ballots, Sullivan, a Twin Cities businessman, gathered 69 votes, while House majority leader Tim Pawlenty had 56 and accountant Mike Vekich got one. Twenty-four were undecided.

The party will distill resolutions as well as delegation members for the state convention through the county convention on April 6 and First District convention scheduled for April 27 in Albert Lea. At the state convention in May, candidates for the U.S. senate, governor, attorney general, secretary of state and auditor will be officially nominated.

About 80 DFLers assembled at Southwest Junior High School. The DFL party did not conduct a straw poll statewide this year. Four candidates have announced they will seek the party’s endorsement so far: state senator Roger Moe, state representative Becky Lourey, State Auditor Judi Dutcher and Ole Savior.

As the county convention on March 24 approaches, the DFL will narrow down its local resolutions.