Lt. Governor Endorses Tom Emmer

January 25, 2010
Saint Paul, Minnesota
State Capitol
By Marty Owings

Minnesota's Lieutenant Governor, Carol Molnau announced today at a Capitol press conference that she was endorsing Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer.

Molnau said that Emmer has, "what it takes to win." She added, “I think it was his leadership style and his strength that really turned me towards Tom,” When asked if she'd received endorsement requests from any other gubernatorial candidates, she nodded her head and said, "we've talked." She declined to indicate who those requests might have come from.

Molnau was asked if she was putting any "upward" pressure on her boss (Governor Pawlenty) to support Emmer. Molnau responded that, "this decision is a personal one for me...I haven't really talked to him [Pawlenty] about this."

State Representative Matt Dean, a republican from Dellwood, said he was also supporting Emmer because, "nobody works harder in the Legislature...he's the only person I know who would read every bill the night before it came up in committee."

Emmer's campaign continues to build momentum and the announcement by Pat Anderson that she was leaving the race for Governor, was the first in a series of recent events that are energizing his campaign. Anderson's announcement likely favored Emmer since her supporters generally ranked Emmer as their second choice ahead of Marty Seifert. However, Norm Coleman's decision to stay out of the race was a benefit to both Emmer and Seiferts campaigns. Emmer and Seifert are considered by many political observers to be the front runners for the GOP nomination.

In an interview after the press conference, Emmer said he plans to ask Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty for his support soon and added that he also expects additional key endorsements to be announced within the next week. In addressing the question of whether he was being labled as too conservative, Emmer responded by saying that the label of "too conservative" when it comes to his vision for the state, is not a very sophisticated one. Emmer says it's more complicated than that and he believes it takes private business to drive prosperity and that government alone cannot create the wealth it takes to support programs favored by many liberals. He also reflected on the recent endorsements and support he's received, saying it was "humbling" and adding, "it can't be about me, its got to be about all Minnesotan's."

David Fitzsimmons, Emmer's campaign manager, says that Emmer is gaining popularity with Minnesotan's because he has a unique way of, "connecting with them." Fitzsimmons says Emmer has an edge over the other candidates because his personality is, "infectious." He says that when given the opportunity to talk one on one with people, Emmer can convert the most strident critic into a supporter. Fitzsimmons says that he's keeping an eye on the rest of the gubenatorial candidates and that he believes the more narrow field of candidates in the GOP favors them over the DFL. He says it spares the GOP of the messy primary battles, something he believes hurts the opposition.

Emmer's personality and charisma have proved to be a challenge for Seifert and other GOP candidates. Seifert, although engaging and energetic, is sometimes seen as stiff or awkward by observers. Seifert announced today that he had also picked up endorsements from several GOP activists, district chairs and county commissioners. Seiferts biggest job in the coming weeks might not just be in getting endorsements, but in proving he can connect as well with Minnesotan's as Emmer can. After all, what's really at stake isn't just policy and issues, but who is most electable come November.