Never mind that Tom Emmer was resoundingly endorsed by Congressional Sixth District Republicans, holds a commanding lead in both fundraising and an internal poll--or that in the 2010 gubernatorial race, he won the counties that now form the Sixth.
Krinkie and Sivarajah are digging in to what they perceive as his liabilities, St. Cloud Times staff writer Mark Sommerhauser reports in GOP challengers sharpen criticism of frontrunner Emmer.
Krinkie goes straight for the vein that DFL ally Alliance for a Better Minnesota slit open in 2010. Sommerhauser writes:
Krinkie has said Emmer would be vulnerable to issues raised during his 2010 run for governor, including his two arrests on drunk-driving-related charges. . . .
But Krinkie's still contemplating how he'll take advantage of that presumed vulnerability,and bashes Bachmann as well, the Times notes:
Krinkie has kept open the option of running in the GOP primary or as a third-party candidate, potentially with either the Independence or Constitution parties.
Krinkie said this week he likely won't decide what route to take until after the Republican state convention on May 29-31. At that point, he said it will be clearer which Republican statewide candidates will take their campaigns to a primary — which could influence how many GOP voters show up for an August primary.
Krinkie suggested Bachmann's endorsement of Emmer could carry a backlash in a 6th District general election. Bachmann barely won re-election in the 6th District in 2012.
"If you ran a campaign as a third-party candidate connecting Mr. Emmer to the incumbent congresswoman," Krinkie said, "that might have a very interesting outcome."
The Independence Party has already endorsed John Denney, so Krinkie would have to compete in a primary for that nod.
Sivarajah actually raises points about Emmer's stances on issues, but mostly sticks to reciting a list of moments when Emmer was rejected, though not but the voters of the Sixth. However, Sommerhauser notes that the Anoka County Commissioner has what might be an insurmountable barrier in getting her message out. Her campaign raised "a mere $4,266.77 from donors in the first three months of 2014" although she chipped in " $320,000 so far, $170,000 of that coming last quarter."
While the challengers seem longshots, as a blog always looking for fodder, we're eager to watch the bloodmatch begin.
Photo: Tom Emmer, who can't be blamed for laughing now, though we're not sure why he was laughing in this 2010 recount story photo posted by Minnesota Public Radio.
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