Although the turnout was considerably lower than the previous one, when the nation was in the midst of a heated race to select party nominees to square off for the ultimate prize of president months later, the Crookston area DFL precinct caucus held at Highland School Tuesday night nevertheless drew a respectable, if small, crowd.
“There are significantly fewer people here than we had two years ago, but that was a presidential election year, and a very unique one at that,” said Anne Rasmusson, caucus convener. “I talked to Travis (Keeler, county DFL chair), and it sounds like the turnout was a lot lower all around the county, but we actually had a pretty good turnout compared to others.”
Thirty-four people – 100 less than in 2008 – weighed in on their choice for governor from a list of 11candidates on the gubernatorial preference ballot. Margaret Anderson Kelliher came out ahead with 12 votes, followed by R.T. Rybak garnering six votes, Tom Bakk four and Tom Rukavina. Eleven voters checked off as uncommitted, although two of those wrote in Mark Dayton's name. While Dayton's campaign is in full swing, he pulled his name from the DFL straw ballots as well as the endorsing convention in April, choosing instead to let the voters decide in the Minnesota DFL primary.
The Minnesota Secretary of State's office unofficial results at press time, with 78 percent of precincts reporting, show Rybak and Kelliher leading, with 22 and 20 percent of the votes, respectively. Other candidates drew considerably fewer votes, with more than 14 percent saying they're uncommitted. More than 21,000 people attended the DFL caucuses.
At least three of the Crookston caucus attendees, Crookston High School seniors in advanced placement government class, were there for the first time. The class requires students to attend a public meeting of their choice, and Jordan Rauner, Andrea Wright and Ben Dufault all said they chose the caucus because they'd like to become more involved in politics and making things happen.
“I'm a very strong Democrat, and I would've come here regardless of the class,” said Rauner. “I'm really looking forward to voting.”
“It's kind of fun,” Dufault, who attended with his father, Tim, said of the event. They're both from Gentilly. “I'm excited to let my voice be heard.”
In addition to the straw poll, delegates were chosen for the county convention in March and several resolutions were passed on to the county resolution committee, which will then determine which ones are unique enough to go on to the next level. Rasmusson said most of the resolutions related to poverty, health care and education. Resolutions can eventually be incorporated into the party's platform at the state and national levels, much like legislation is enacted.
Crookston, Minn. —
