St. Paul Caucuses on March 6 Include Poll for President

Editor’s Note: We will have straw poll results as soon as they are available this evening

The St. Paul DFL will be doing a non-binding presidential poll during Tuesday night’s caucus. Attendees of the St. Paul DFL caucuses will get a chance to voice their opinion on declared candidates for president in 2008.  Although non-binding, the straw poll will be one of the early insights into how St. Paul will swing during the same year it will play host to the Republican National Convention.

If you want to have a say in the polls, you’ll have to go to the caucuses; only attendees will be able to cast their ballot.  Participants must arrive before 8 pm.

Caucus goers will also be sending delegates to ward conventions, where they will pick the DFL endorsees for the St. Paul City Council. Only four of the seven wards have contested endorsements.

Ward 1 incumbent Debbie Montgomery is being challenged by Melvin Carter III, the 28-year-old son of Ramsey County Commissioner Toni Carter and the youngest contender so far. Ward 4 is an open seat because incumbent Jay Benanav is not seeking re-election. Candidates for the open seat are Bernie Hesse, Russ Stark and Randy Schubring. Ward 5 has Davis Haas running against incumbent Lee Helgen. Ward 6 pits 10-year incumbent Dan Bostrom against Pakou Hang, the first strong challenger to Bostrom in years.

These wards are unchallenged so far: 2, Dave Thune; 3, Pat Harris; and 7, council President Kathy Lantry.

Caucus attendees will also have the opportunity to push resolutions to the city convention. Resolutions pushing