Star Tribune reporter Kevin Duchschere sends this update from the field.
The Kelliher party is coming to life. State Rep. Tony Sertich, who will emcee the evening's program, has arrived after helping wrap up the campaign's drive to turn out voters.
"I'm feeling pretty good," he said about Kelliher's chances. "She's a hard worker and people underestimate her."
DFL Party Chair Brian Melendez also is in the house, saying that "things are going well." The Kelliher campaign's Get Out the Vote effort, he said, had piled up "amazing numbers."
State Sen. Linda Berglin has just entered the room.
Word is that Sen. Amy Klobuchar and former Vice President Walter Mondale will soon arrive. People in the room are laughing, chatting and glancing up at the screen showing the first of the early returns, which have Kelliher 14 points up on Dayton.
