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I've attended two DFL state conventions, both times in support of a gubernatorial candidate who was not endorsed but went on to win their primary. Both times, the top candidates had far more in common politically than they had differences. I'm confident that nearly all of the delegates would have ultimately voted for whichever of them landed on the general-election ballot. However, the convention focus was on minor items that distinguished each candidate rather than on common ground. The arm-twisting and political tricks needed to win endorsement left many candidates and delegates disillusioned. So much so that in 2018, Gov. Tim Walz's operatives advocated closing the convention without endorsing any candidate for governor. In my view, a failure to endorse would have sent the message that none of the candidates were worthy when, in fact, there were four strong candidates.

The solution isn't to dismantle the endorsement process ("Endorse, or just let the voters decide?" front page, April 30). The solution is for future conventions to endorse every candidate who the delegates would be proud to support in the general election. The convention's role would be to deny endorsement to candidates who, if elected, would undermine the party's integrity or political objectives.

Perhaps any candidate with support of 20% of the delegates would be endorsed, except that a two-thirds vote of the delegates could remove that endorsement. This would enable the party to protect itself from fringe candidates or candidates with ulterior motives while allowing primary voters to be confident that any endorsed candidate is worthy of their support.

Chris Mau, Oakdale

Scott Jensen used to be my state senator. I often did not agree with him, but I did respect him. Today I continue my disagreement with his political views, but I no longer respect him. From what I can see, he has sold his soul to the devil in his quest for Tim Walz's seat as governor. Facts and truth no longer seem to mean anything to Jensen in his quest for political victory ("Jensen suggests jail for Steve Simon," May 1).

I have gone to several presentations by those involved at the local level in running elections and have listened to all the efforts that they go through to guarantee secure elections. I have learned to respect those who run the system, especially Secretary Simon, and I fully trust our results. Unfortunately, Jensen has taken on the strategy that if the facts and truth do not work for you, ignore them.

Jim Weygand, Carver

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I challenge Jensen and anyone who accuses Simon of nefarious actions to work at a Minnesota polling place on Election Day, or, even better, to observe firsthand how excellent the absentee voting system is in our state. There are many checks and balances, including a robust voter database that catches registration irregularities and the absolute neutrality of election rules upheld by sworn-in judges. Simon oversees a system that has less than .001% irregularity. If you can find an actual problem, please let us know.

Karen Duncan, Minneapolis

Another VIP, used to being noticed by the public, might have looked the other way, but Mondale choose to greet me with a smile and a nod.

Rest in peace, sir!

Brian Moltz, Edina

I'll keep this simple: It's not possible for the city of Minneapolis to get anything right at George Floyd Square ("Getting things right at George Floyd Square," editorial, April 30). Here is why:

Let's prioritize people over property and deal with the human rights crisis on our hands. How is the city going to pay Black people for wellness services to treat decades of PTSD from race-based policing?

The writer is a Black woman and a neighbor to George Floyd Square.

As a self-employed businessman who put three children through college, I saved nothing in my retirement account for several years. My wife went to Macalester and finished paying off her loans eight years after graduation. I'm 70 years old, and I still work. When asked by my friends when I plan to retire, I say my silo is only half full. Now our president is asking for loan forgiveness and taxpayers to pay for it? ("Biden looks ready to erase some student loan debt," April 27.) What message does this say to all of us who have worked hard to put our kids through school and others who paid their loans off?

Rich Cammack, Minneapolis

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President Joe Biden is proposing using some $245 billion to reduce student loans by $10,000 for any student so unfortunate as to make below $125,000 or $150,000 per year. College graduates generally have a substantial working income advantage over their lifetimes and certainly don't need this "relief," being fully able to pay off that $10,000 over many years or much earlier for most. $10,000 is easily assumed into large income budgets. College loan relief is simply not a critical urgent need!