CD2 ENDORSEMENT: Republicans in the competitive Second Congressional District will decide tonight whether to throw their support behind GOP primary winner Joe Teirab to challenge DFL Rep. Angie Craig in November.

It’s unclear if Teirab will get the party’s support.

The former federal prosecutor won the GOP primary two weeks ago, but did so without the backing of his local Republican party, which had endorsed grassroots conservative candidate Tayler Rahm.

Heading into the vote, CD2 Chair Joe Ditto and Deputy Chair Will Beck both told me they think it could go either way.

“I guess we’ll have to wait and see. I know people are upset with what happened and many are still not keen on supporting Teirab,” Beck said.

Some Rahm supporters have been reluctant or have refused to back Teirab because he didn’t follow through on his pledge to drop out of the race if he did not get the party’s endorsement.

Others view Teirab as an establishment candidate, and point to Rep. Tom Emmer’s joint fundraising committee backing Teirab as evidence of the majority whip and Washington’s influence in the high-stakes race.

But even without the party’s backing, Teirab has support from National Republicans and the campaign war chest needed to run a formidable race against Craig in one of the most closely watched House races this year.

I’ll be reporting on what happens post vote, so stay turned later tonight.

WALZ WALTZING ALONG THE TRAIL: Gov. Tim Walz is heading to the pivotal swing state of Georgia this week to campaign with Vice President Kamala Harris, my colleague Louis Krauss reports.

He’ll kick off a two-day bus tour on Wednesday in the Peach State just a week after he accepted the Democratic nomination for vice president.

Walz will meet with voters during the tour but he is not expected to stay for a Thursday evening rally with Harris in Savannah.

STILL TBD ON STATE FAIR: It’s unclear if Walz will swing by the Minnesota State Fair, which he traditionally has hit on opening da y.

RAINING ON THE STATE FAIR: A severe thunderstorm shut down the State Fair Monday evening and caused 80,000 people in the Twin Cities area to go without power, my colleague Elliot Hughes reports.

Xcel Energy said the storm brought heavy rain, hail, winds up to 60 miles an hour and “widespread damage.”

The storm canceled the grandstand concert at the State Fair — the Happy Together Tour — but organizers said refunds would be issued.

BRIDGING THE POLITICAL DIVIDE: The Minnesota Council of Churches (MCC) recently launched a new iteration of its Respectful Conversations initiative, and is now bringing facilitated discussions on the election across the state. They hope it will cultivate more empathy and curiosity in Minnesota communities, rather than division, intern Anna Colletto reports in her last story for us before heading back to Mizzou.

Rev. Kirsten Fryer helped lead MCC’s first election conversation on Aug. 14, for around 30 attendees at her St. Paul church, Bethlehem Lutheran in the Midway.

Other conversations will be hosted tonight at Saint Barnabas Lutheran in Plymouth and Wednesday at Our Saviors Lutheran in Cloquet. A non-church affiliated conversation is scheduled for Oct. 1 at the Eagan Community Center.

WHERE’S WALZ:

Walz once again does not have any public events listed on his schedule but on the campaign side, is headed to Georgia this week.

Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan plans to serve milk at the State Fair’s All-You-Can-Drink milk stand at 10 a.m. She’ll be interviewed at the Star Tribune booth at the fair at 11 by my colleague Josie Albertson-Grove. Full schedule here.

READING LIST

Minnesota hospitals showing signs of financial recovery, but still not at pre-COVID levels, Christopher Snowbeck reports.
What it’s like to live in the State Fair’s shadow for 12 days of the Great Minnesota Get-Together, Greta Kaul reports.
Gnarly Twin Cities storm gives way to double rainbow. People soaked in the vibes, Elliot Hughes reports.
Wedding photographers buying bankrupt historic Furber Farm venue in Cottage Grove for over $2.2M, Mike Hughlett reports.

Keep us posted at hotdish@startribune.com.

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