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Second attempt pays off for DFLer Tinklenberg
The ex-transportation commissioner won the party's endorsement in the Sixth District to take on Rep. Michele Bachmann, two years after losing it. Elsewhere, Reps. Keith Ellison and Tim Walz got DFL support.
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Two years after being passed over by party activists, former state Transportation Commissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg captured the DFL endorsement Saturday for bid to unseat U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann.
Tinklenberg notched a first-ballot victory over tax attorney Bob Olson at the party's Sixth District convention at Bunker Hills Regional Park in Andover.
A former Methodist minister and Blaine mayor, Tinklenberg was viewed as the more moderate choice in the conservative district.
Bachmann, a Republican, won the north-metro district seat two years ago over child-welfare advocate Patty Wetterling, who had edged Tinklenberg for the DFL endorsement. DFL Party leaders contend the district is increasingly competitive.
Though he opposes reversing Roe vs. Wade, Tinklenberg has described himself as against abortion. He also defends gun rights. In the buildup to Saturday's convention, Tinklenberg said that his experience in government, and the tough battles that come with it, made him the best choice to take on Bachmann.
Bachmann is focusing on her constituents and their concerns -- not her opponent, said Michelle Presson, her congressional chief of staff.
"They're worried about the economy and their pocketbooks, and Representative Bachmann is right in line with their concerns," Presson said.
Also Saturday, DFLers in the First Congressional District endorsed Rep. Tim Walz's reelection bid. The former high school teacher and longtime National Guard member "is a breath of fresh air in Minnesota politics," district chairwoman Lori Sellner said in a news release. Much of southern Minnesota makes up the district.
Walz has amassed a formidable campaign arsenal, raising far more money than his two Republican challengers -- GOP-endorsed Brian Davis of Rochester and Sen. Dick Day of Owatonna -- and harnessing up to 2,000 volunteers.
Davis has emphasized his experience as a doctor and former engineer, as well as his image as a nonpolitician.
In the Fifth Congressional District, incumbent Keith Ellison, running unopposed for DFL endorsement, won the party nod at Washburn High School in Minneapolis.
Ellison, a lawyer, will face Republican-endorsed Barb Davis White, a minister. Minneapolis dominates the district.
During his first run two years ago, Ellison overcame a strong intraparty primary challenge before picking up 56 percent support from voters in a general election that found Republican and Independence Party candidates running fairly evenly.
This year, no one has announced plans yet to seek Independence Party endorsement.
Staff writers Chao Xiong and Steve Brandt and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Anthony Lonetree • 651-298-1545
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