Erlandson Camp Sees Positive Momentum

The Mike Erlandson campaign sees a positive momentum shift that could lead to victory in tomorrow’s 5th Congressional District primary.  Peter Brickwedde, a spokesman for the Erlandson campaign, says that the campaign has seen an “outpouring of support” since Erlandson’s endorsement by the Minneapolis Star Tribune.“We’re closing harder than anybody in the race,” Brickwedde said, noting that the campaign has seen a late influx of volunteers.  “Mike’s message resonated with a lot of folks.”

Erlandson, the long-time Chief of Staff for outgoing Rep. Martin Sabo (DFL-MN05), is seeking to succeed his former boss in Washington.  The fifth district is strongly Democratic, and most expect that Tuesday’s winner will ultimately win the general election in November.

The Erlandson campaign is looking for strong turnout in the senior community and among traditional DFL voters.  They feel good about their get-out-the-vote effort, noting that they’re ahead of where they expected to be in their efforts.

Nevertheless, the campaign knows it’s going to be close.

“It’s been clear for several weeks that this is a three-horse race, between Mike, Keith [Ellison], and Ember [Reichgott Junge],” said Brickwedde.  “Everybody has got a good shot, and it’s really anyone’s race.”

Brickwedde pointed again to the Star Tribune endorsement as a possible difference-maker.

“Everybody had to go through the same process,” he noted, “and the endorsement talked about Mike’s issues.  That’s brought people in.”

The DFL primary for Minnesota’s fifth congressional district will be held tomorrow, September 12.  Citizens who are not already registered to vote can register at the polls with appropriate ID.  In addition to Erlandson, candidates in the DFL race are party-endorsee State Rep. Keith Ellison (DFL-Minneapolis), former State Sen. Ember Reichgott Junge (DFL-Golden Valley), and Minneapolis City Councilman Paul Ostrow. (DFL-Minneapolis).