Suburban Twin Cities DFLers will gather Saturday and plot a way to win two of the three Minnesota congressional seats currently held by Republicans.
In the 2nd Congressional District, DFLers will gather at 9:30 a.m. at Chanhassen High School to endorse either former state Rep. Shelly Madore, DFL-Apple Valley, or Dan Powers to take on U.S. Rep. John Kline, R-Minn.
In the 3rd Congressional District, delegates will begin their convention at 10 a.m. at Wayzata Middle School to choose between Maureen Hackett and Jim Meffert in a bid to defeat U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen, R-Minn.
Kline, a three-term Republican from Lakeville, is a 25-year Marine Corps veteran who used to be known as the most conservative member of Congress from Minnesota until he was joined in 2006 by U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn.
Paulsen, a first-term Republican from Eden Prairie who served as Majority Leader in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2002-2006 under then-House Speaker Steve Sviggum, R-Kenyon. Prior to his time as majority leader, Gov. Tim Pawlenty served in the role.
Madore, of Apple Valley, is a one-term state legislator who works in education and has a marketing and business background.
Powers, of Burnsville, is a small business owner and contractor who briefly ran for the DFL 2nd CD endorsement in 2008 before supporting Steve Sarvi.
Hackett, of Minnetonka, is a first-time candidate who works as a physician and forensic psychiatrist and is an Air Force veteran.
Meffert, of Edina, is a first-time candidate, former president of the Minnesota PTA, and lobbyist for the Minnesota Optometric Association.
All the candidates have agreed to abide by the party endorsement process at the conventions.
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