Despite a vigorous challenge by a conservative Perham activist, two-term state representative Mary Franson (R-Alexandria) was endorsed yesterday by the Senate District 8 endorsing convention, the Alexandria Echo Press reports in Franson wins GOP endorsement:
State Representative Mary Franson of Alexandria, the Republican incumbent in District 8B, won a hard-fought battle for her party's endorsement today in Henning.
At Saturday's Republican endorsing convention, Franson won with 60 percent of the vote in a contest with challenger Sue Nelson of rural Perham after several rounds of voting, according to Bill Schulz, secretary of the Republican Party of Otter Tail County.
What's missing in the short news report and tweets about the endorsement? News that Sue Nelson has agreed to abide by the endorsement.
Nelson has posted a note on her campaign Facebook page thanking her supporters, in which she does not congratulate her successful opponent:
To all my friends, family and supporters who were so dedicated to our campaign -- who invested time, talents and your support -- I simply cannot find the words to express my gratitude and that of my husband and son. Your kind words, your encouragement, your prayers and your love will ALWAYS remain a bright spot in what was a tumultuous storm. When the going gets tough, not only do the tough get going but they find out who their friends are and they also know who will do the right thing. And we did the right thing by making OUR stand, you and I, and for that I will be eternally grateful. The phone calls, e-mails and all the kind words have been so appreciated. But what I appreciate most is your friendship, your trust and your support.
Thank you.
As always, God's Peace to you and yours on this, the Lord's day.
As for Nelson's friends, the Echo Press reports that a Nelson supporter who was involved in the lead-up to the assault at the convention planning meeting, was defeated in her bid to become the Republican senate district chair:
Owen Miller of Douglas County won election as Senate District 8 chair, a leadership post that had been held by Betty Staebler until now. Miller was opposed for the seat by Faye Yager of Douglas county. The vote was approximately 80-20 for Miller, according to Schulz.
Staebler, the outgoing chair, was also a Nelson supporter.
Should Nelson decide to primary Franson, the House Republican Campaign Caucus may have to devote some resources to defending an endorsed, sitting incumbent. With Nancy Taffe challenging Jeff Backer in the 12A Republican primary (incumbent: Jay McNamar, DFL-Elbow Lake), the Grand Old Party's state house caucus may be spending more of the $618,175.03 cash on hand it banked in the first quarter.
There's already a significant gap between that figure and the $1,079,019.67 that the DFL House Caucus had on hand at the end of the quarter.
Photo: When elephants fight.
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