State DFL convention likely to be drama-free

Updated: June 2, 2012 - 10:43 AM

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DFL delegate Linda McEwen of St. Paul danced to Katy Perry’s “Firework” as the sound system was tested on Friday at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester. Fireworks, however, are expected to be in short supply for the convention.

Photo: Jeff Wheeler, Star Tribune

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What's happening? About 2,000 DFL delegates are gathering in Rochester this weekend to celebrate something they haven't seen in almost a decade: a drama-free state convention.

What's at stake? There's no contested endorsement or national delegate fight. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar should be easily endorsed for a second term and President Obama is expected to get the delegates' support for his re-election.

What else? The DFLers will hear from Democratic elected officials and candidates for office and, on Sunday, delegates will be trained in the mechanics of campaigning.

Any drama expected? The peaceful plan is a marked change from the 2010 DFL convention. Then, the delegates waded through a heavily contested fight for the party's nod for governor. Margaret Anderson Kelliher won the party's support, but Mark Dayton beat her in the primary a few months later. Despite the lack of a battle for delegates to settle, the political activists could still find something to fight about. "This is the DFL, so I can't make any guarantees that there won't be some drama," said DFL chair Ken Martin, with a laugh. "You never know."

RACHEL E. STASSEN-BERGER