On the eve of the Republican state convention, surrogates for Republican candidates for governor are sending out fighting words.

Gubernatorial candidate Reps. Marty Seifert and Tom Emmer are fighting tooth-and-nail for Republican endorsement Friday and they're leaving no inch unexamined to make their cases. Wednesday, they smacked each other around via emails.

First, Kurt Daudt, campaign manager for gubernatorial candidate Marty Seifert, sent out an email entitled "A Special Pro-Life Message from the Seifert Campaign."

Here's that email:

With only two days until the Republican State Convention gubernatorial endorsement, I am writing to reiterate that the Marty Seifert-Rhonda Sivarajah team strongly support the rights of the unborn.

The first major decision made by a gubernatorial candidate is their choice for lieutenant governor. This process is a good indication of how a candidate would govern if elected. I am proud that we had a thorough, professional and extensive vetting process leading up to the selection of Rhonda Sivarajah, arguably one of the most conservative county commissioners in the state of Minnesota.

Last night, it was reported by veteran KSTP journalist, Tom Hauser, that Rep. Emmer had selected former state legislator, Linda Runbeck, as his running mate. When Runbeck served in the legislature, she voted wrong on a crucial piece of pro-life legislation, the Women's Right to Know bill. Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL), the state's largest pro-life organization, raised serious concerns with Runbeck's selection. Scott Fischbach, MCCL Executive Director said, "there was shock" when people learned that Runbeck was the likely pick.

Please watch the story from last night's newscast on KSTP by clicking here (click here)

On Monday, Rep. Emmer's campaign manager purchased the website, EmmerRunbeck.com, in preparation for the announcement of Runbeck as Rep. Emmer's lieutenant governor pick. KSTP reported that after MCCL and concerned pro-lifers told the Emmer campaign that the pick was unacceptable, the Emmer campaign shifted gears and decided Runbeck would not be their choice.

A candidate should not have to be reminded by a pro-life organization about important, relevant issues when vetting for an important decision, thus causing last minute changes.

Even more troubling to grass-roots delegates, David Strom, Rep. Emmer's communications director, told Minn Post today that Sarah Janecek, who is not pro-life, was seriously considered as his lieutenant governor pick. "There were a lot of people considered — five or six names out there, and her name was in the mix," Strom stated.

Rep. Emmer acknowledged Janecek was on Emmer's short list: "There were several people, and she was one of the people that we absolutely took a look at."
(source: Minn Post, April 27, 2010, click here)

Unfortunately, this isn't the first time Rep. Emmer has been at odds with MCCL and pro-life activists. In 2005, Rep. Emmer authored campaign finance legislation which would have severely limited conservative groups' ability to stand up for their beliefs. When MCCL opposed Rep. Emmer's legislation, Emmer stated the following when speaking about MCCL, our state's largest pro-life organization:

"What a crock of crap that is, I don't ever want to hear from them again."
(source: City Pages, July 13, 2005, click here)

Our campaign has heard from numerous delegates who are concerned about the judgment of one of our leading candidates, who came to the brink of picking a Lt. Governor candidate who may not share our values on an important issue. During his time in the Legislature, Marty Seifert has proudly received a 100% lifetime rating from MCCL and has worked with them to advance the pro-life cause. Marty was steadfast that his lieutenant governor pick share his strong, pro-life values, and Rhonda Sivarajah has always been solidly pro-life. With your help, in two days, we'll take the next step to deliver four years of clear and consistent pro-life leadership in a Seifert/Sivarajah administration.

Thanks again for all your hard work on behalf of our conservative cause. We look forward to seeing you all in two short days.

Sincerely,

Kurt Daudt
Campaign Manager, Seifert for Governor

To fight back, the Emmer campaign brought out Jacquie Emmer, the candidate's wife. Here's the letter on Emmer's Web site:

Enough is enough.

Over the past nine months I have proudly and quietly supported my husband Tom as he's gone from a long-shot bid for Governor to the verge of victory. He's been able to do that because Tom is who he is: a principled conservative who would never lie to you. He says what he means and means what he says.

The closer Tom has come to getting the endorsement for Governor, the more mud has been thrown at him. It has been very painful to watch, but I remained quiet because I know how politics works. Tom has run campaigns in the past, and we have seen some pretty dirty politics and have learned to live with it.

But I can't stay quiet any more. The latest attacks suggesting that Tom isn't pro-life are disgusting and untrue.

Over the past few years I have gotten to know Tom's opponent, and always I respected his work for the conservative cause. Like a lot of you, I have lost that respect.

We've already had to explain to our seven children the dirty attacks that have occurred in this campaign. It has been difficult for them to understand why people would lie about their dad.

Tom and I have been married for 24 years. And one thing I know is that Tom lives his beliefs, lives his principles, is not beholden to anyone and would never betray them or you just to win.

Tom isn't like that. And I would never let him behave like that.

Jacquie

Both Seifert and Emmer have pledged to drop out of the race if they do not get the party's endorsement.