SD62 Open Too

MN Senate, 2006 Elections Checks and Balances is reporting [reg. req'd] that Wes Skoglund (DFL-62) will not run for reelection. This the second State Senate seat to be left without an incumbent in a week. Last week Sen. Jane Ranum (DFL-63) announced she was not running also.

The news is good for Alex Eaton, a DFLer, who was seeking to challenge incumbent Senator Wes Skoglund (DFL-62, Minneapolis) for the DFL endorsement. Skoglund has decided not to seek reelection to the seat. Maybe the idea of a party fight was not all that thrilling or possibly the differences between the House and Senate were not as interesting. Skoglund served in the House for 8 terms prior to a redistricting map that placed him and Rep. Jean Wagenius (DFL-62B, Minneapolis) in the same legislative district. Skoglund opted for the other body. With an open seat it is not clear whether Eaton, the former head of the MYDFL, will be alone in his bid. In 1998, now Rep. Jim Davnie (DFL-62B, Minneapolis) originally sought the Senate seat before logically removing himself from consideration and allowing Julie Sabo and Lisa Vecoli to battle it out for the seat. Eaton raised and spent the maximum allowable in the off-election year and is moving ahead with a greater level of confidence and commitment with the Skoglund decision. Labor organizations have contacted him to express greater interest in his candidacy, now that the incumbent has made his intentions known.

SD62 is no different than SD63, in fact it probably is "bluer" than SD63, therefore the fight for this seat is always an uphill battle for a Republican even when an incumbent is not running. A note to my friend at KvM, RUN GARY RUN!!!