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Crookston —
It was standing room only Tuesday evening in the community room at the Polk County Law Enforcement Center as more than100 people gathered for the Crookston area Republican caucus. The meeting convened nearly a half hour later than the scheduled 7 p.m. start due to the line-up at the door.
Following the state trend, Rick Santorum, who's been gaining momentum in his bid for the Republican presidential nomination, was the clear winner in the straw poll. Out of 87 votes, he garnered 51, compared to 13 for Newt Gingrich, 12 for Mitt Romney and 11 for Ron Paul.
The caucus meeting covered the cities of Climax, Crookston and Nielsville and 14 townships. Lyle Westrom was the caucus convener. The Polk County Republican Convention is set for 9:30 a.m. March 3 at Highland School.
DFL caucus
With no suspense regarding a presidential candidate preference – all 43 who attended voted for President Barack Obama – there was a little more elbow room and somewhat less of a buzz at the Crookston-area DFL precinct caucus Tuesday evening at Highland School.
But the Democrats gathered at the various cafeteria tables conducted enthusiastic discussions and passed various resolutions that will go forth for potential inclusion in the party platform. At the most-populated table, covering Crookston's second ward, two resolutions approved included one taking a stance against "Right to Work" legislation in Minnesota, and another taking a stance against any Legacy Amendment funding going toward a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings.
A pressing issue for Polk County DFLers is helping to identify a candidate to run against incumbent, first-term Crookston Republican Deb Kiel for Minnesota House in District 1B. Wendell Johnson and Bernie Lieder, the latter a member of the vetting committee helping to identify the best candidate, each said that the effort won't ramp up until later this month, when it's expected that the ongoing redistricting saga in Minnesota will be resolved. A court decision is expected on Feb. 21, and Lieder said it will go before the Minnesota Legislature the next day.
"There are potential candidates with a clear interest," Johnson said in the Highland cafeteria. "But they need to make sure they're still in the District 1B boundary once the redistricting is finalized."
Lieder, who was defeated by Kiel in 2010 after 12 terms in St. Paul, said it's understandable that the potential DFL candidates are "kind of cautious" at this juncture. "It's kind of a sensitive situation with the redistricting," he told the Times today. "Once that's finished we'll continue with the process and see who emerges."
Polk County is currently part of three separate legislative districts. Kiel, speaking at Tuesday's Republican caucus in Crookston, said it appears that rural districts will get larger and metro districts will get smaller, with more district boundaries following county lines. The proposed map, she said, would put all of Polk County in only one district.
It was standing room only Tuesday evening in the community room at the Polk County Law Enforcement Center as more than100 people gathered for the Crookston area Republican caucus. The meeting convened nearly a half hour later than the scheduled 7 p.m. start due to the line-up at the door.
Following the state trend, Rick Santorum, who's been gaining momentum in his bid for the Republican presidential nomination, was the clear winner in the straw poll. Out of 87 votes, he garnered 51, compared to 13 for Newt Gingrich, 12 for Mitt Romney and 11 for Ron Paul.
The caucus meeting covered the cities of Climax, Crookston and Nielsville and 14 townships. Lyle Westrom was the caucus convener. The Polk County Republican Convention is set for 9:30 a.m. March 3 at Highland School.
DFL caucus
With no suspense regarding a presidential candidate preference – all 43 who attended voted for President Barack Obama – there was a little more elbow room and somewhat less of a buzz at the Crookston-area DFL precinct caucus Tuesday evening at Highland School.
But the Democrats gathered at the various cafeteria tables conducted enthusiastic discussions and passed various resolutions that will go forth for potential inclusion in the party platform. At the most-populated table, covering Crookston's second ward, two resolutions approved included one taking a stance against "Right to Work" legislation in Minnesota, and another taking a stance against any Legacy Amendment funding going toward a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings.
A pressing issue for Polk County DFLers is helping to identify a candidate to run against incumbent, first-term Crookston Republican Deb Kiel for Minnesota House in District 1B. Wendell Johnson and Bernie Lieder, the latter a member of the vetting committee helping to identify the best candidate, each said that the effort won't ramp up until later this month, when it's expected that the ongoing redistricting saga in Minnesota will be resolved. A court decision is expected on Feb. 21, and Lieder said it will go before the Minnesota Legislature the next day.
"There are potential candidates with a clear interest," Johnson said in the Highland cafeteria. "But they need to make sure they're still in the District 1B boundary once the redistricting is finalized."
Lieder, who was defeated by Kiel in 2010 after 12 terms in St. Paul, said it's understandable that the potential DFL candidates are "kind of cautious" at this juncture. "It's kind of a sensitive situation with the redistricting," he told the Times today. "Once that's finished we'll continue with the process and see who emerges."
Polk County is currently part of three separate legislative districts. Kiel, speaking at Tuesday's Republican caucus in Crookston, said it appears that rural districts will get larger and metro districts will get smaller, with more district boundaries following county lines. The proposed map, she said, would put all of Polk County in only one district.
