April 16, 2018, 10:24 a.m.
Former nominee Angie Craig (D) and gelato tycoon Dean Phillips (D) secured the Democratic Farm-Labor Party endorsements at Saturday’s convention to face Reps. Jason Lewis (R-02) and Erik Paulsen (R-03), respectively. In the open MN-08 seat, no former FBI counterterrorism analyst Leah Phifer (D) “received the most support, with nearly 48 percent of the delegates backing her in the 10th and final round of balloting, while 42 percent chose” former state Rep. Joe Radinovich (D). “But they both failed to meet the 60 percent threshold needed to win the endorsement.” (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)
“The 170 delegates failed to give Leah Phifer or Joe Radinovich the party’s nomination after 10 rounds of voting, putting the party on course for an August primary election between Phifer, Radinovich and a defiant” former Duluth news personality Michelle Lee (D) “who was the only one of three deposed candidates who vowed to continue in the race.” (Twin Cities Pioneer-Press)
But on Sunday, state Rep. Jason Metsa (D) and North Branch Mayor Kirsten Kennedy (D) both “said they will continue their campaigns” for the August primary to replace Rep. Rick Nolan (D-08). (Duluth News Tribune)