doran032506

On the homepage

Business

Mall, teen store sales decline

Out There

Vita.mn

Farm school: Local organic farming

Nightlife

Go behind the scenes at Cirque’s Kooza

Home | Politically Connected

Doran drops bid for governor

The real estate developer who was self-financing his campaign says family considerations, not polls, drove his decision to withdraw.

By Dane Smith, Star Tribune

Last update: March 24, 2006 - 7:33 PM

Citing the stress on his family and children of full-time campaigning, real estate developer Kelly Doran dropped out of the DFL gubernatorial race Friday and also shook it up.

"I have decided to put the interests of my family first," Doran said, with running mate state Sen. Sheila Kiscaden at his side at the State Office Building. He said he knew he was leaving behind disappointed supporters. "This is very hard, but I ask for understanding."

Doran, of Eden Prairie, who built a fortune developing suburban shopping malls, was self-financing his campaign and was easily the biggest spender in the early stages of the race. He spent more than $1 million on billboard and broadcast ads, after shifting from a U.S. Senate candidacy in September. His departure likely will reduce the pressure on other candidates to raise money for a primary election.

Still left are three strong candidates for the party's endorsement in June: Attorney General Mike Hatch and state Sens. Becky Lourey of Kerrick and Steve Kelley of Hopkins.

Rivals praise Doran

All praised Doran as a surprisingly adept and skillful candidate, especially for a newcomer. They also expressed relief that they won't have to face a wealthy candidate in a primary, and all seemed to think his withdrawal helped their candidacy in some way.

"This is a significant event; he was remarkably impressive, a smart guy, a bright guy," said Hatch. "Much of our strategy involved preparation for Kelly Doran." Hatch said he expects to draw Doran supporters because "he kept the focus on economic issues, as I like to think I have."

Doran tried to position himself as the pro-business moderate or centrist in the race, or the least liberal.

Lourey praised Doran as someone "who certainly does care" and said Kiscaden is one of her closest friends in the Senate. Lourey said she had stayed up late Thursday talking to Kiscaden about the decision.

Kelley, the only DFL candidate who has promised to abide by the party's endorsement, said that, with Doran out of the race, Hatch and Lourey should abide, too. Abiding candidates commit themselves not to running in a primary if they don't get the party endorsement. Hatch said he would not promise to abide and Lourey said "we will all be reassessing."

Kelley said he and Doran appealed to the same kind of voters. "I've been saying that somebody like me could be an advocate for progressive values but in a way that appeals to moderates and independents," Kelley said.

Independence Party candidate Peter Hutchinson, a centrist and moderate like Doran, said he thought Doran had "a nice clear voice and message. ... It was a good thing for him to stress principle over politics." Hutchinson said "time will tell" whether the withdrawal helps him, but Lourey said she thought Hutchinson would be "pretty excited" about inheriting some of Doran's support.

Republicans also claimed to benefit from the withdrawal. GOP state chairman Ron Carey said "the race for governor is now between four liberals and one common-sense reformer, Governor Pawlenty. ...[The] early exit from the race further underscores how difficult it is for centrists to find a warm welcome in a DFL Party dominated by far-left activists."

Hatch finished first in a straw poll of precinct delegates earlier this month, with 39 percent, and Lourey and Kelley were virtually tied for second, with 23 percent and 22 percent, respectively. Doran got 6.4 percent.

But Doran said his decision had "nothing to do with any recent polls" and had everything to do with his four young children.

Dane Smith • 651-292-0164

Comment on this story | Be the first to comment | Hide reader comments

Minneapolis mansion once for sale on eBay is now focus of investment scheme under scrutiny

The Van Dusen mansion, a palatial pink stone pile built in 1892 at 1900 LaSalle Avenue, was put up for sale in 2006 on eBay. Now the company that owns it, Oxford Global Advisors LLC, is one of the entities in legal trouble with two Ohio families and their pastor, who filed a federal lawsuit [...]

1000s of Homes

Listings, open houses, the hottest market news. Start and end your search for a new home here.

Buy Foreclosed Properties

Search 8500 pre-foreclosure, auction and bank-owned properties in the metro area. Start now!

National Politics

President

U.S. Senate: Latest recount news

U.S. House

In Congress

State Politics

Local Politics