In most election years, candidates' debate at August's Farmfest comes just as voters are starting to tune into the contests that will dominate the fall and in some years the rural issues gathering marks the first face-off.
Not this year.
Since lawmakers moved up the 2010 primary from September to August, the Aug. 4, 2010 gubernatorial Farmfest debate in Redwood County will come less than a week before voters will go to the polls make their primary picks.
The debate, which traditionally occurs outside under a tent, may be candidates' last before the primary.
Just six days later, DFLers will go to the polls to choose among three major candidates for governor -- Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Mark Dayton and Matt Entenza, along with a few lesser known contenders. Republicans will chose among endorsee Tom Emmer and a handful of frequent candidates. And Independence Party folks will select a nominee among former PR exec Tom Horner, Rob Hahn (who has earned media attention lately by coming out hard against Horner) and other would-bes..