Rey Upsets Benson

Over in SD62, Torres Rey upset the favorite Ward 11 City Council member Scott Benson on the fourth ballot. With the endorsement secured in the blue district like SD62, Rey becomes the immeadite favorite for November. If she does win, she will be a first just like Mee Moua (SD63), the first Hmong woman elected to the Minnesota Senate, to become the first Latina elected to the Senate.

Torres Ray Sweeps to State Senate Endorsement in District 62 Shocker In a surprisingly conclusive vote Saturday, Senate District 62 DFLers endorsed political newcomer Patricia Torres Ray to succeed retiring state Sen. Wes Skoglund. Torres Ray, a longtime policy analyst at the state Department of Human Services who entered the race only two months ago, led in the delegate count from the beginning and was endorsed unanimously after the fourth ballot when runner-up Matt Gladue withdrew. “Si se puede,” a tearful Torres Ray told convention delegates, explaining her faith in hard work and perseverance as a way to rise from her immigrant origins. “I knew this 19 years ago. I knew I was in the right place.” Source: Minneapolis Observer 4/1/06